Strike!

So it really happened.

I guess I fall somewhere in between "yippee, snow day!" and "m#th@r f%$k@# b#s$%@s!". I'm "telecommuting" today, which is substantially less than ideal. I've got a few thoughts about the negotiations, but as before, I don't have enough information to really judge. Seems like the union was willing to give in on the wage increases in order to protect future workers from healthcare and pension reductions. This still seems like an honorable position to me.

I'll add that I agree with Gg that raising the retirement age in this era of longer life expectancy is reasonable. And if it came down to that alone, I would hope that the TWU would be flexible. My understanding, however, is that it's not just the retirement age, but the pension benefit package as well that is at stake. That's a different story altogether.

I guess what strikes me most is the complete absence of any of our elected leaders to play the dealmaker. I hear a "let's all get through this -- and the strike is illegal" message from Bloomberg, and absolutely nothing from Pataki. Isn't this where leaders step up to the plate? I don't believe the gap between the two sides is really that wide. There is a principle about future workers at stake, but the monetary differences don't seem insurmountable.

Also, if anyone knows how it works, I'd be curious to hear why the arbitration process does not adequately protect the workers' interests.