Workers clear track for strike

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*SOLIDARITY* Maybe...just maybe, it's starting.

--

 

Workers clear track for strike

http://www.nydailynews.com/12-11-2005/front/story/373855p-317765c.html

Would be first in 25 yrs.

BY PETE DONOHUE

DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Roaring " strike, strike " thousands of transit workers authorized their

leaders yesterday to call the first illegal, city-crippling walkout in 25 years.

More than 6,000 workers who move the city - many raising their fists in the air

and waving red-and-yellow union bandannas - made the decision after their

president delivered a blistering attack on the Metropolitan Transportation

Authority. In a 25-minute address at the Javits Center, Transport Workers

Union Local 100 President Roger Toussaint called the MTA an " evil empire. " He

said the MTA has ignored the union's demands, including wage increases and

anti-terror training. If the agency doesn't give an acceptable offer by 12:01

a.m. Friday, when their current contract expires, he gave the station agents,

motormen, track workers and cleaners three choices:

Accept the MTA's contract offer, which includes a 3% raise in the first year and

a nonguaranteed 2% raise in the second year. " You will never be able to look

into your children's eyes again and say you did the right thing, " Toussaint

said.

 

Follow other unions and work without a pact.

 

" Follow the best traditions of Mike Quill, " the former TWU leader who led a

strike in 1966. Asking the rank and file for quiet, Toussaint then invoked the

name of Lewis Moore, a TA motorman who died on a work train. Toussaint charged

that the agency's response would have been quicker had there been a dog on the

tracks. " Nobody wants a system shutdown. But if it happens, it's because the

MTA thinks that a transit worker's life is worth less than that of a dog. "

Toussaint then said in a raspy voice: " We have a decision to make. What is your

pleasure? " During two minutes of screaming and whistling blaring, Toussaint

confirmed a strike authorization from the floor, then asked all in favor to

stand up. Everyone rose. A brief smile crossed Toussaint's face. " The members

have spoken, " said TWU Local Vice President Ainsley Stewart. " We want our fair

share now. " Local leaders also adopted a contract proposal of three straight

years of 8% raises, Toussaint said later. In a

statement, the MTA said a contract won't be reached by strike threats and said

the TWU appears " all too willing to jeopardize the well-being of the city it

serves as well as the financial security of its members. "

 

Originally published on December 11, 2005

 

 

 

" When the power of love becomes stronger than the love of power, we will have

peace. "

Jimi Hendrix