International Transit Workers Union Condemns NYC strike

http://wcbstv.com/topstories/local_story_355034255.html

That's right. The International Transit Workers Union, the parent union of the assholes on strike, has deemed it unauthorized and unreasonable.

Look for Toussaint to get bounced by the International and for them to put some grownups in charge.

For all of those knee-jerk types who call critics of the local "freepers", I DARE you to call the International Transit Workers union a bunch of freepers.

When someone cannot make an intelligent debate they resort to name calling. It's all they know and in their own simple minds they've won the argument.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=5647433&mesg_id=5647433

peace

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=5655185&mesg_id=5655217

You know how it is...

peace

like referring to people as 'assholes'?

He's just mad because he might be inconenienced by the struggle to continue having a middle class here in the U.S.

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

which low posters are you referring to Lostin? i have over 1000 posts as does geek. I've been on for about 2.5 years? am i a low poster?

But without going into any details of THIS particular strike, I did feel the need to express that the following quote is some of the biggest utter bullshit I've ever seen on DU:

"If you are against labor, against unions, against ANY legitimate strike, then you are not a liberal/. Period."

There is no ONE issue that makes or breaks a liberal, EVER! That is what makes us great, and not sheep, and not republicans. Sorry, but that quote is complete utter garbage, with all due respect.

from the comments...
O'Brien and Hall should have wanted posters put up in all the union shops for crimes against union members.This same skell crew sold out my job(american airlines) for the sake of union dues.I wish local 100 members nothing but good luck in the fight for a living wage.Cheers to Mr.Toussaint for being a real union leader.

more...
http://www.villagevoice.com/blogs/powerplays/archives/002217.php

times are a changing :bounce:

peace

If it was, you wouldn't have seen the SEIU break off from the AFL-CIO.

You won't see a single politician, no matter how labor-friendly and leftwing, supporting them.

All the other transit workers--Metro North, LIRR, are ignoring the picket lines.

i'm surprised there aren't more strikes considering the greedy thugs ripping off the working man these days.

peace

Thank you for speaking up, Billy Pilgram.

Off topic - You know, I've been reading DU for a while and I couldn't quite place your username. I recently re-read S.F. and had a D'oh moment.

Metro North workers have already said that if the TWU were to setup a picket line they definitely would not cross it. The MTU has not setup any picket lines of Metro North or the LIRR or service would stop dead in its tracks.

Did you see all the NYPD coffee and donut trucks sent to picket locations yesterday?

I love it! :D

Where the fuck is Hillary hiding? Why isn't she getting something done about this?

the MTA is a state agency. not a federal one.

a better question is where is pataki. oh he is too busy off campaigning for president

About the picket lines. Boo.

Who cares what the International office says? They are CYA.

The ITWU must hate poor people.

C'mon, usually I like your posts, you often seem like a reasonable intelligent guy..... this time, however, I think you need to channel you frustration at other sources.....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x5655079


I have been called a freeper many times myself, I am definitely one who understands....... but for today, let's stay off the keyboards and support the guys in the street.

...that geek doesn't support "the guys in the street," unless by that phrase you mean the people who now have to walk everywhere in the city. It would seem that he is not alone in this position, and in fact is joined in it by several other unions, including the parent of the TWU.

What I am saying is turn the focus to the broader issue........

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x5655079


I understand the freeper accusations, however...... I am a very moderate Democrat myself so the label is often applied to me .........funny isn't it because I am asking people to support the protesters..... while a lot of the ultra lefties on this board say moderates never get off their butts...... AHAHAHAHAHA..... most of the strikers are very moderate by the definition often thrown around here...... WOOOOOOHOOOOOOOO........ MODERATES TELLIN PEOPLE TO TAKE IT TO THE STREET. CAN YOU BELIEVE IT??????

I HOPE THE A.N.S.W.E.R BUMS DON'T SHOW UP TO DISCREDIT US........ WOOOOOHHOOOOOO.... THIS TIME IT'S ALL ABOUT MODERATE NEW YORKERS. WORKING CLASS PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE IN GOD AND COUNTRY AND WANT A DECENT PAYCHECK..... SOME EVEN HAVE SONS AND DAUGHTERS IN IRAQ.


For those of you who don't believe I'm really protesting, i'll post some pics later. AHAHAHAHAHAHA.....


GEEK, if you are one of those people who don't like the ultra-ultra lefties, COME ON OUT, WE NEED YOU!!!!!!!

That is exactly what needs to be done. And it's what is going to happen, as more and more people get shafted by the Extreme Right's "OWNERSHIP SOCIETY!"

Are YOU better off at work, than you were five years ago?

and I have always been telling people to do it........... their is a common misperception that moderates do not protest (an intentionally created misperception by some on the way out, utlra, ultra left..... similiar to accusing many people of being freepers)...... I have been protesting from day one.

Whom do you define as "ultra-ultra lefties"? And how do their policies differ from those of moderates?

Most anti-strike posters here at least say "I support Unions, but...." You don't.

"I support Unions, but...." You don't."

I don't support Unions? You must be deeply misinformed at the least (or borderline insane)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x5644440

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x5655079

It must have been my comment about ultra-ultra lefties......... Right now I am heading out to support a local picket line...... when I get back I'll explain what I meant by ultra-ultra lefty and how their policies differ from Moderates, the center left, just plain left, whatever you want to call it.

.....is that this protest/strike is being staged by tens of thousands of ordinary working class New Yorkers, the bulk of them Democrats and probably some conservatives as well........... What they don't need is a couple of dozen wackos from some A.N.S.W.E.R-type group, or the World Worker's Party, or the Socialist Workers Party showing up and making a lot of noise to grab some air time (the way they do at national protests). The workers are focusing on practical improvements to their lives and those around them and most are deeply religious, very patriotic Americans (to put it briefly albeit simply)........ who don't buy the ultra left wing line that Cuba under Fidel Castro is a better place than the U.S. and all the other BS you hear from Communist Party Cold War leftovers.

the parent of the TWU has rejected the strike and has called on them to return to work. they have even threatened to take over the local union.

The proper way to deal with issues like this is negotiations, not blackmail.

If this were a private employer, you bet I'd support the union. But, when they intentionally screw over other workers, they can go straight to hell as far as I'm concerned.

fyi

peace

by pitting the average citizen against the union.

The unfortunate thing is that most Americans don't look past their own nose.

It was their decision to pursue an illegal, wildcat strike that is hurting people today.

They're the ones who made the decision to strike instead of pursuing further negotiations--they get the blame.

n/t

the managers ain't got nutt'n to do with it i'm sure :eyes:

peace

wrong to intentionally hurt the working people of this city.

If you are genuinely concerned with the other working poor in the city....... I can understand how you feel although I strongly disagree because I think this can have a beneficial effect long term for everybody........

Anyway, even though I disagree with you strongly this time...... you have seemed like a very reasonable level headed poster in the past, therefore I tend to be more forgiving then some other posters on this board. I also deeply sympathize with this (the probelm of) misguided "he must be a freeper" logic displayed frequently here.

You seem a little more pissed than usual because you like many other New Yorkers are having a hard time and a bad day.......... When I have a bad day I too sometimes can come across as an as*hole even when I feel like I am by all objective standards, correct on my points. All I can say at this point is speaking as a person who is sometimes an as*hole to another person (you) acting like an as*hole is ........ now is not the time to keep coming across as an as*hole. Unions are still important part of this city and when you have the chance to support them (big protests and focus on important issues like this do not always happen frequently... so when they do, you have take them as they come even when they are not perfect), take it, or at the very least direct your frustration at another target.

Does the average citizen enjoy a 40 hour work week?

Thank the unions

Does the average citizen enjoy paid vacations?

Thank the unions

Does the average citizen enjoy workers' compensation coverage?

Thank the unions

The average citizen who depends on these people ought to be out there fighting with them.

These people are going out on strike at tremendous risk to themselves. They are not only fighting for the principals that they believe in, but for the principals that we should all believe in--dignity, justice and respect. You cannot have a Democracy without unions.

Of all people in the city who make less than the average MTA worker, 40% can't get to work because of the strike.

The TWU has turned their backs on their fellow workers and citizens. Fuck them.

I haven't heard language like that since the 70s.

Thank God all the unions weren't killed off way back when.

...few unions have done something this dumb since the 70s.

their jobs because of the strike.

The union isn't the victim--they're the wrongdoers.

read #17

Give them what they are asking for. The old claim of blackmail is old.....


GO UNIONS!!!!!

The union is deliberately inflicting hardship on the working people of New York.

Stunning that more people aren't bright enough to figure that out.

And no.... we aren't as dumb as you would hope we would be. Get over yourself already.

Please come again soon!:applause:

If you don't understand what the purpose of this strike is--or why they're having it this time of year, that is.

before the strike.

I would like to know what they are holding out for, as I spent 44 bucks to get to work today.

remember - what you sow is what you reap. The amount of hatred you spread here in the last 48h is bound to turn on you somehow. Just don't wonder: "why me?"

What hatred? You are going to have to be more specific. Supporting the strikers is spreading hatred? What exactly are you referring too?

some who post nothing but anti-union trash spread the hate.

Then who are you talking too? You wrote a response to #8 which is me, NorthELIberal, and I have been writing threads supporting the strikers........ You must have just decided to hit reply anywhere in the thread.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x5644440

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x5655079

Read some of his posts yesterday. VERY anti the guy in the streets.

I'm confused because you replied to me in #8........ so I don't know who you are talking about...... if it is Geek Tragedy....... well, Geek has in the past brought balance to many discussions on this board even if he is a little off this time (not everyone is always on the forefront of every issue)...... He sounds like many of the New Yorkers who are pissed and need to redirect some steam in other directions....... All I can say is try to get them to focus on the broader issues.......

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x5655079

Bloomberg and his personal media are trying to whip us into a frenzy.
Sorry if my answer earlier was confusing - it was to you, about him/her

nm

Cowardly parent unions often blast locals for striking. Remember Austin 1985?

The Internation Transit Workers Union members who allegedly don't support their locals right to strike are a bunch of union-busting freepers. Although, I doubt it's a whole *bunch* of them.

Now, wasn't that better than calling all the striking workers assholes?

The International made this statement after a judge declared the strike illegal. In my experience the International always covers their asses and if that means selling out a local well, so be it.

The point of a strike is to bring pressure on the employer to bargain in good faith. That is what is happening now.

Definition of a wildcat strike: An unauthorized work stoppage while a labor contract is still in effect.

I'm not crazy about the Taylor Law, but it is law, so the strike is illegal. Nonetheless, I find myself generally in support of it.

Civil disobedience is also illegal, yet it is countenanced as a legitimate tactic, and supported here. I'm surprised to see so many people not supporting a union flexing its muscle on behalf of future workers' benefits.

And as to the parent union not supporting the local, we've seen that before in other cases. Doesn't make anyone right...just means they have a difference of opinion.

The other transit workers -- those of Metro North, LIRR, etc., aren't going out on strike in support, but you won't see them crossing the picket lines, either.

And their public uproar is a perfect example of their agenda.

Tell that to they folks that hose down the platform at 3:00 a.m. I'd pay to see what happens.

You said "The International Transit Workers Union, the parent union of the assholes on strike, has deemed it unauthorized and unreasonable." emphasis mine

What it says at the site "TWU (International) hereby notifies all members of Local 100 of their obligation under the December 13, 2005 preliminary injunctions and the December 20, 2005 temporary restraining orders issued by the New York Supreme Court to cease any and all strike or strike-related activities and to report to work at their regularly assigned work hours and work locations." emphasis mine

Looks to me like a cya move by the international given the injunctions filed against them. "See, your honor, we made sure to tell our membership to behave themselves. We didn't go against those injunctions. Just like you said, your honor." *wink, wink*

I did not see where the international said unauthorized and unreasonable.


edit: spelling

I hope the asshole reads it.

(e.g. arbitration) before resorting to a strike.

They threw in a brake at the last minute and won't budge on it. And yet, somehow, in this, it's the powerless who you blame. I wonder why?
And how would you negotiate with say, Halliburton - if you have no leverage?

You sound touched.

Are you?

Man the malignant narcissists have outed themselves so BIG TIME the last 48 hours. What a bunch of rubes.

words). It says it all ;-)

Indeed it does. It makes the pinheads heads explode!

The International did what they were ordered to do by the court. The judge prohibited them from "engaging, causing, instigating, inciting, or in any way aiding or abetting or encouraging or condoning a strike." He told them they had to "notify all members of Local 100 of of their obligation to cease any and all strike or strike related activity." That that they did.

In the 1980 strike, the International did the same thing, while the Local kept the lines strong for 11 days.