Tuesday Strike Shuts Down NYC Transit System

[MrsMush99]

Did anyone know that they don't have maternity leave??? They have 6,000 women working for the MTA and they don't have maternity leave for them, just an FYI.

 

[poco]

Did anyone know that they don't have maternity leave??? They have 6,000 women working for the MTA and they don't have maternity leave for them, just an FYI.

That's a good FYI - thanks. Anyone know if they are still on strike? Do they get paid when they are on strike? I guess not!

 

[MrsMush99]

Yes Poco they are still on strike. And no they do not get paid, LOL. As a matter of fact they lose 2 days pay for every 1 day they are on strike. So right now they are up to 6 days lost pay.

 

[DEPUTYDAWG]

Did anyone know that they don't have maternity leave??? They have 6,000 women working for the MTA and they don't have maternity leave for them, just an FYI.

Just wondering - do you mean a paid maternity leave? Aren't their employees covered under FMLA for up to 12 weeks of leave per year? Or are they exempt for some reason?

 

[DEPUTYDAWG]

Yes Poco they are still on strike. And no they do not get paid, LOL. As a matter of fact they lose 2 days pay for every 1 day they are on strike. So right now they are up to 6 days lost pay.

Who assigns the losing of 2 days paid for every 1 day on strike? Is that part of the contract clause since it's an illegal strike? I honestly don't know, and since you live in NY, thought you'd know.

In my "former life," I knew some details of union contracts; and while the employees weren't paid by the company or agency, the union members who showed up to picket got paid a daily rate for picketing. They were paid out of union $$$. Is that what's happening there?

Thanks.

 

[MrsMush99]

You know Deputy, I'm not 100% on that. I'm sure it's paid leave. They have to be covered under FMLA. It's something the president of the union said yesterday and my husband confirmed it. He is a teacher, and a union rep for his school. He knows the president of the UFT and was in negotiations with the city when the teachers were up for a new contract. With that being said, the unions stick together and support each other when contract renewals are up. There is more to this story then we are hearing in the news. Just like when the teachers were extremely close to going on strike. We didn't hear what was behind the scenes on the news. But of course, I did, since my hubby was there during negotiations.

 

[MrsMush99]

Who assigns the losing of 2 days paid for every 1 day on strike? Is that part of the contract clause since it's an illegal strike? I honestly don't know, and since you live in NY, thought you'd know.
Thanks.

It is part of the Taylor Law. Now the city has an attorney that is trying to fine them 3 days for every one they are on strike. Funny how they are screaming that the Transit workers are breaking the law, but they don't say anything about THEM breaking the law by trying to fine them 3 days for every one instead of 2. Also, the president of the tRansit union said yesterday, and I thought it was GREAT that they don't need to hear that they are overpaid and greedy from a BILLIONAIRE. In case I haven't mentioned it before, I cannot STAND Bloomberg!

 

[DEPUTYDAWG]

You know Deputy, I'm not 100% on that. I'm sure it's paid leave. They have to be covered under FMLA. It's something the president of the union said yesterday and my husband confirmed it. He is a teacher, and a union rep for his school. He knows the president of the UFT and was in negotiations with the city when the teachers were up for a new contract. With that being said, the unions stick together and support each other when contract renewals are up. There is more to this story then we are hearing in the news. Just like when the teachers were extremely close to going on strike. We didn't hear what was behind the scenes on the news. But of course, I did, since my hubby was there during negotiations.

Thanks! I kinda like the "behind the scenes" info, not just what we hear in the news. So give us more behind the scenes info when you can! I know there is always two sides to most stories.

 

[MrsMush99]

OK, here's something hubby told me. Which I found interesting. When you work for the city (and possibly most jobs) you get written up if you do something wrong. So the transit workers are getting harrassed through write ups. Let me explain. If a car is going 90 mph and hits the bus, the driver gets written up, NOW if the car is doing 90 mph and the bus driver slams on his brakes to avoid an accident and a woman gets hurt in this process, the driver gets written up. In other words, no matter what they do, it's wrong. Three writeups equals a suspension. So that is one of things they are trying to get in the contract. Stop the harrassment. Now let me be clear, if a driver clearly does something wrong and is at fault, they should be written up. But when you are in a no win situation all time, how would you feel?

 

[DEPUTYDAWG]

It is part of the Taylor Law. Now the city has an attorney that is trying to fine them 3 days for every one they are on strike. Funny how they are screaming that the Transit workers are breaking the law, but they don't say anything about THEM breaking the law by trying to fine them 3 days for every one instead of 2. Also, the president of the tRansit union said yesterday, and I thought it was GREAT that they don't need to hear that they are overpaid and greedy from a BILLIONAIRE. In case I haven't mentioned it before, I cannot STAND Bloomberg!

So I don't totally bog down this thread with some of the details, I better go research some of this; but briefly, what is the Taylor Law? Is it just specific to the Transit Union, or all NY public agencies or? For example, many LE agencies can't strike due to the real problems that would cause for the citizens.

I had the "opportunity" to be a part of union negotiations back in the early 90's - hated it. Really hated it. They can get so nasty. I don't have the stomach for a lot of it.

 

[MrsMush99]

I don't know too much about the Taylor Law, except that I know you cannot strike, no city agencies can strike. Teachers, sanitation, police, firemen, EMS, and of course Transit workers.

 

[scandi]

Hi MrsMush,

If they can't strike, why did these workers walk off the job? Even if the Union Pres told them to they would know they were breaking the law, right? I heard a caller on a talk show say he thought all the workers should be fired for walking off the job.

This morning I guess the union leaders who authorized the strike are in court as we speak and might end up in jail. If they go to jail does that mean the strike would be over and the workers would go back to work?

Hard questions I know, but remember I'm Norweigian!

Scandi

 

[Marthatex]

Union leaders have now agreed to urge the strikers to go back to work, while an agreement is being worked on with state arbitrator.

http://msnbc.msn.com

 

[lisafremont]

I don't know anything behind the scenes but I can report that the general feeling in NYC based on what I have heard is that people on the street do NOT support this strike.

My understanding of their grievance is that they don't want the MTA getting future employees to pony up 6% to go into their pensions. And they want their retirement benefits to equal those of the firefighters and police.

That's my sense of it.

 

[Tristan]

YAAAAYYYY!!!!!! I hope it sticks.