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  #11  
Old 12-21-2005, 05:59 PM
TakeMeToTheRiver TakeMeToTheRiver is offline
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Location: New York
Posts: 7
Default Re: Media Coverage of Transit Strike

[ QUOTE ]
It is really tough for me to comment on the status quo since I believe the city monopoly on transportation to be an abomination (for obvious reasons which we can see now). I agree in a sense, I don't favor the union, but I agree that the media should stop viewing the MTA workers (the individuals, that is) as slaves -- people who have are forced to work at a job even if they are unsatisfied with their wages/conditions.

Why does the media never mention that the city monopoly is the reason for this mess, not the motives of the workers?

[/ QUOTE ]

In fact, your premise is entirely wrong. The city has no control and little influence over NYC mass transit. The MTA is not controlled by the city, it is mostly controlled by the Governor.

But what is the alternative to public transportation for mass transit (which is heavily subsidized by the state and by drivers on the cities bridges and tunnel)? There are private bus companies providing services to certain areas where it is more economical to do so. Do you want to start digging private subway lines as well?
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  #12  
Old 12-21-2005, 06:14 PM
JackWhite JackWhite is offline
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Posts: 243
Default Re: Media Coverage of Transit Strike

[ QUOTE ]
When I quit my job a few weeks ago, I didn't have to pay a $25,000 a day fine for not comming into work.

[/ QUOTE ]

Is that a good analogy? You quit your job. These guys want to keep it. Not sure how that is the same thing.
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  #13  
Old 12-21-2005, 06:14 PM
lehighguy lehighguy is offline
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Default Re: Media Coverage of Transit Strike

Why can't we have private subway lines. Half Tokyo subway lines are private. And I think the JR lines are private too now. They have the best train system in the world, why can't we follow suit.
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  #14  
Old 12-21-2005, 06:15 PM
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Default Re: Media Coverage of Transit Strike



[ QUOTE ]
Well, I got me a job in this man's town
On this subway train down under the ground;
My pay's so low I went in the hole,
And I can't get out, folks, to save my soul.
Wages on the floor, prices on the ceilin'.

I want to work and help win this war,
And that's what I work on the subway for;
My car's so loaded, jammed and packed,
My wheels keep a-jumpin' on the railroad track.
Wheels need greasin'. Pay needs raisin'.

Well, I joined the union to win my rights,
I went to Mr. Delaney and put up a fight;
I told him my job was part of my soul,
But Delaney don't want my wheels to roll.
Neither does Mr. Hitler. Pestbrook Wiggler -- I mean jibbler --
Pestbrook, Higgler -- aw, skip it.

I told Mr. Delaney if my kids don't eat
All of you workers will walk the street.
Mr. Delaney just stretched and yawned,
He must not know there's a war goin' on.
People fightin'. Winnin' freedom.

I got to thinkin' 'bout this war I'm tryin' to win,
So I went to the mayor once again.
I said, 'I don't want no Hitler scale,
I want to roll to victory on a union rail!'
Pay house rent. Eat groceries. Get a beef stew.
Pound of coffee.

So if you want to win this war I'll tell you what to do,
You got to work and fight for the T.W.U.,
You got to toot your whistle, got to ring your bell,
You got to keep all the Fascists in a union hell.
Keep 'em there. Don't let 'em out.

You got to join the union, got to pay your dues,
Got to shake hands and stick it through,
I'm a union man in a union war,
And it's a union world I'm a-fightin' for
Union or fascist. Take your choice.


[/ QUOTE ] --Woody Guthrie
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  #15  
Old 12-21-2005, 06:16 PM
lehighguy lehighguy is offline
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Posts: 590
Default Re: Media Coverage of Transit Strike

Why do your post here?
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  #16  
Old 12-21-2005, 06:24 PM
BCPVP BCPVP is offline
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Whitewater, WI
Posts: 830
Default Re: Media Coverage of Transit Strike

[ QUOTE ]
Why do your post here?

[/ QUOTE ]
Why do trolls do trollish things?
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  #17  
Old 12-21-2005, 06:37 PM
peritonlogon peritonlogon is offline
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Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 120
Default Re: Media Coverage of Transit Strike

a massive corporate conspiracy isn't necessary for his point
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  #18  
Old 12-21-2005, 06:44 PM
TakeMeToTheRiver TakeMeToTheRiver is offline
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Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: New York
Posts: 7
Default Re: Media Coverage of Transit Strike

[ QUOTE ]
Why can't we have private subway lines. Half Tokyo subway lines are private. And I think the JR lines are private too now. They have the best train system in the world, why can't we follow suit.

[/ QUOTE ]

I am not sure what you are refering to with "JR lines"?

Anyway, we cannot add new private subway lines and even if the MTA was to sell certain lines, the new private company would have a monopoly on the lines sold -- so the problems complained of would not be solved. I don't know if there is anyway to bring competition to predominantly-commuter mass transit system.
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  #19  
Old 12-21-2005, 07:02 PM
Triumph36 Triumph36 is offline
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Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 60
Default Re: Media Coverage of Transit Strike

No one sees those people, lehigh. The people visible to the public are bus drivers and token booth attendants. Therefore the general attitude among the anti-union crowd is, "I wish I could get paid to sit on my ass and retire at 55." The transit workers don't get the kind of respect that other public employees do.

I am neither for or against the union. As I've found in major league sports, it appears both sides are usually in the wrong when it comes to collective bargaining - that's why they agree to a compromise.

I was hoping this thread wouldn't go the way of privatization - I see that as very, very unlikely.
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