Transit Strike

As with must of us, an all-out transit strike would have messed me up in all kinds of ways, so I have say I breathed a sigh of relief this morning when the subways were still running. I also have to give the union some serious credit on several fronts.

First, the partial strike shows they are serious about their demands, imposes a cost on the city, but with the least possible disruptions to riders.

Second, since the affected bus lines are private, it has the added virtue of avoiding violating the Taylor Law.

Third, and probably most impressively, it seems the sticking point in negotiations is not the package for current workers, but the union's insistence that the next generation of incoming transit workers get at least as much as this generation. At a time when our federal government is lowering taxes on the wealthiest by borrowing money that will have to be paid off by our children and grandchildren, and Republicans want to do away with Social Security's guaranteed lifetime benefit, someone is asking what will our current actions do to those who come after us. That just seems like a position worthy of respect. I'd welcome other thoughts on this topic.