NYC Transit Strike

[Larry_OHF]

I found this new bit of information interestingly changes the whole story.

Union's international arm doesn't approve

An attorney for the Transport Workers Union's international arm told a court in Brooklyn on Tuesday that the local's decision to strike was not approved and, therefore, unauthorized.

Attorney Peter DeChiara said Transport Workers Union International President Mike O'Brien attended the union vote overnight and urged Local 100 members not to strike.

Attorneys for the international arm of the Amalgamated Transit Union said the group did not authorize the strike, either.

Arguing on behalf of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, State Assistant Attorney General James Henley said that the state would withdraw its contempt charges against the international arms of the unions if they officially notify the local that its strike is unauthorized.

DeChiara said the Transport Workers Union's international arm would post the message on its Web site and in its newspaper and issue a statement to the media.

CNN's Tom DiDonato and Tom Ziegler contributed to this report.

[ 12-21-2005, 08:57 AM: Message edited by: Larry_OHF ]

[Timber Loftis]

RECANTATION:

I'm sorry, but on the topic of the NY Transit union I have to recant some of my presumptions. These workers were making an average of $30-$50 K a year. If those were my wages in a city like New York, I'd be striking too. Sorry for commenting without having accurate knowledge. I presumed they were getting paid the high wages transit workers get paid in Chicago, and I was wrong.