News Copy, New York

NYC Transit Union Boss To Mock Jailing

The Associated Press reported that Transit union leader Roger Toussaint would be marching across the Brooklyn Bridge with workers before turning himself in Monday for a 10-day jail sentence stemming from the illegal three-day subway and bus strike that crippled the city in December.

Will he be passing the hat for union dues on the way across?

Last week, a judge fined the union $2.5 million for the illegal strike.

Republicans Criticize Spitzer Over Transit Strike

Weld, Faso and Manning all lobbed political grenades at Eliot Spitzer during the New York City Transit Strike, according to the Associated Press.

Governor hopefuls weigh in on transit strike

However, Spitzer's spokesman Darren Dopp seemed to get more press over the critiques.

"We obtained some of the strongest measures ever imposed and we continue to seek additional penalties. Our actions speak for themselves," Dopp said. "While Mr. Weld was bloviating, the attorney general was playing a key role in helping to end the strike and get both sides back to negotiating table."

Using a spokesperson when there is a damaging story, to deflect negatives away from the candidate, has been a standard method on campaigns this media-crazed age.

But bloviating?

We need to take out the dictionary on that one.

Bloviate:  To discourse at length in a pompous or boastful manner.

While Mr. Spitzer was "orating" in his own pompous manner, the delay in jailing union leaders led to at least one critically injured firefighter.  Pataki didn't help either.  Neither did the State Legislature.

The liberal softness permeating politics in New York generally lets unions off the hood, especially when candidates accept money or endorsements from them.

Spitzer has taken money from the unions, endorsements, as have many elected officials in both major parties.  The problem with Spitzer is that he ran for cover during this strike, as did most Democrats.

Weld, Faso and Manning each took a page from Reagan.

"I think the members of the (union's) executive board should be fired. Any employee can be fired for misconduct and advocating an illegal strike is misconduct," Weld said in an interview.

According to the Associated Press, gubernatorial hopefuls Patrick Manning and John Faso said they would have also issued pink slips.

Weld's ad went after Spitzer for failing to try to fire leaders of the union that once donated to his campaign.  Spitzer had Dopp go after Weld.

This should have prompted someone to ask who is running for Governor, Darren Dopp or Eliot Spitzer -- but we don't want to tell any of these campaigns how to do their job.

Strike Accident Victim Still In Critical Condition

Call For Blood Donors

Matthew Long, the New York City firefighter who was critically injured bicycling to work the last day of the transit strike, is still listed in critical condition at the New York Weill-Cornell Medical Center with multiple fractures and internal injuries suffered in the accident at 6 a.m. Thursday, a hospital spokesman said.

Long is the son of New York State Conservative Chairman Michael Long.

Newsday reported that the 12-year fire department veteran was riding his bicycle to his job at the fire training academy on Randalls Island when he was struck by the bus as it made a right turn from the center lane at 52nd Street and Third Avenue, authorities said.

Bus driver Bryant Barr, of Albany, N.Y., was ticketed for making an illegal turn. The bus was hired by the Bear Sterns investment banking firm to shuttle employees during the strike, although it was empty at the time of the accident.

Long was visited at the hospital on Thursday by Mayor Michael Bloomberg. The accident was the worst linked to the three-day walkout by transit workers.

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News Copy learned that there is a call for anyone who can donate blood.

We will update when we learn Matthew Long's blood type.

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From what people close to Long have told us, the source of his bleeding is in an extremely difficult spot for doctors and his condition has required multiple operations to cauterize wounds.  The donation of blood for transfusions will continue to be important through the weekend after after.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Matthew and the entire Long family. 

Democrats In State Senate Support Strike

The Working Families Party Man blog noted that there were a few NY state senators  at the union rally on Monday who spoke to the crowd and showed their support.

"The most memorable state senator was Dianne Savino who even led a call and response of "What do we want?" and "When do we want it?" She also brought a message that state senate minority leader David Patterson was supporting the TWU Local 100 as well."

Now he is taking aim at Metro-North.

Strike All About the Pensions

Suitably Flip and GOP and the City had some fun today giving directions.

Urban Elephants will have its own rousing discussion on this parody, we're sure.

We like what Alarming News had to say about the transit union.

Gawker had these observations.

Wonkster had New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's comments on the end of the strike.

Bloomberg spoke about an off-duty fireman who had been hit by a bus as he biked to work, seriously injured, and that he remained gravely ill.

New York City's Mayor gave the commuters and residents a big thumbs up, despite the chaos and financial losses.

"One thing is clear: This was a big test for this city and I think it passed with flying colors. It wasn’t easy, and certainly serious economic harm was inflicted, but we did what we had to do to keep this City running and running safely. Public safety was our first priority and it never was in jeopardy."

The Transport Workers Local Union 100 (AFL-CIO) claimed to have gained ground on pensions.

"Local 100 had to walk out to stop the TA’s 11th hour pension ambush. We walked out strong, and we walk back stronger."

The Village Voice had some important details about Friday and your MetroCard.

The New York City Transit Strike is Over

WCBS-TV New York reported not too long ago that the Transit Strike is over!!!

The Gothamist noted that the devil is in the details.

The Associated Press doesn't have a story up yet...

Google this!!!

How can the rest of the free world have this story faster than the Associated Press in New York?

Essential Vehicles

Newsday's Transit Strike blog has demonstrated how that newspaper and any newspaper could facilitate "new media" as a way of getting the news out to the public.

There haven't been many comments but the encapsulation of news and the sharing of "niche" specific information is something any publisher should be taking a closer look at.  New York City's blogging community has done an extraordinary job of covering this Transit Strike.  In most instances, they have been way ahead of most news outlets and as immediate as radio or television.

Commuters walk, bicycle and skateboard on Fifth Avenue, which was designated for use only by "essential vehicles," on the second day of a strike by New York City transit workers.

The New York Daily News saluted the resourcefulness of New Yorkers as they found ways of getting around town without public transportation.

City commuters show their stuff -- They get in by car pool, skateboard

The News also cut deeply into Roger Toussaint, with this editorial entitled, With Roger, All Lose Out.

"Today's transit workers have no stake in the matter. Their pension rights are guaranteed by the state Constitution and cannot be changed, yet they are shelling out at a bankruptcy-inducing rate of $2,000 a week because Toussaint, unconscionably, led them off the job."

The New York Post had a handful of excellent opinion pieces but the following said it all, harkening back to 1981 and the cessation of a short-lived strike by Air Traffic Controllers.

Reagan's Transit Strike

"I respect the right of workers in the private sector to strike. Indeed, as president of my own union, I led the first strike ever called by that union. I guess I'm maybe the first one to ever hold this office who is a lifetime member of an AFL-CIO union. But we cannot compare labor-management relations in the private sector with government. Government cannot close down the assembly line. It has to provide without interruption the protective services which are government's reason for being."

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Many people will stay home today, as they noted in this brief piece entitled Few Signs of Life.  The impact on New York City's merchant economy must be devastating, not to mention what the strike must be doing to the service and restaurant industry.

The New York Observer's blog, The Politicker, joked about what they termed a Politicker Work Stoppage. The Politicker's editor, Ben Smith, wrote:   

"Either out of solidarity with striking transit workers, or with stranded riders, The Politicker is taking a break."

They will be back January 2nd.

Urban Elephants, which probably has the most dynamic interface in New York City, has continued to cover the strike and New York politics.  It's really the closest thing to an online political community within the five boroughs.

We're learning that Urban Elephants possesses a steady bunch of writers and activists -- who will be heard from even more next year.  What they have fashioned together online is Dean-like but from the other side of the political spectrum.  They have both a journalistic and almost policy-academic bent that allows them deeper coverage on policy issues.

Check out this post by Westchester-based "Quick Justice" entitled:

Ignoring the Taylor Act: The Rule of Law Disappears in New York

"In prior years, the MTA has reached "side agreements" with the TWU about pension and benefit increases to evade the Taylor Law.  This year, the MTA tried to extract pension concessions from the TWU, but the union is protesting that such concessions violate the Taylor Law.  Technically, the union is correct, but it's hypocritical for the union to evade the law when it benefits from such evasion, but invoke the law when it benefits from it."

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Henry Stern again pointed out something in his New York Sun opinion piece and his blog that deserves special mention.

Stern singles out New York City Comptroller Bill Thompson as the only Democrat standing with Mayor Bloomberg and taking a clear stand on the strike.

"It is extremely regrettable that the labor talks between TWU Local 100 and the MTA have come to this. While New Yorkers will rise to any challenge, this strike will have a devastating effect on our City’s economy, especially during the height of the holiday season. I ask the TWU leadership to end the strike immediately and urge both parties to return to the negotiating table without delay in order to settle this dispute."

Thompson should be commended for basically doing his job.  As Comptroller, he is handed a basic fiduciary responsibility in terms of the city's finances.

It's a shame New York State Comptroller Alan Hevesi has forgotten what he does for a living.

The Games Continue

Transport Workers Union Local 100 President Roger Toussaint thought he could upstage everyone by announcing that he would be willing to end the strike if the Metropolitan Transportation Authority withdrew its controversial pension proposal.

"Provided that pensions come off the table, that would be a basis for us to go back to work and continue negotiations," he said, arguing that raising pension proposals during collective bargaining is illegal.

But Peter Kalikow, the chairman of the MTA, called that idea "outrageous."

Newsday reported the jousting, as both sides tried to get the other side to blink.

The Associated Press reported that the Union is feeling the heat as New York transit strike enters Day 3.

A chief sticking point for the union has been the pension proposal to raise contributions to the pension plan for new workers from 2 percent to 6 percent. The union contends it is woefully inadequate and would be impossible to accept.

The judge said he was hopeful there would be a breakthrough in mediation talks overnight. Union lawyer Arthur Schwartz warned that hauling Toussaint into court would halt the talks and could make a settlement more difficult.

Bloomberg, who isn't directly involved in the strike talks, said he didn't think putting union leaders in jail was appropriate.

"The fines are what is going to hurt," he said. "Fines don't make you a martyr and fines you don't get back."

The New York Times basically wrote George Pataki an early political obituary, drawing a dim comparison between the ineffectual governor and the outward mayor.

"Governor Pataki, by contrast, has adopted a more muted approach. He has taken pains to note that the negotiations are being carried out by the authority, not by his administration (although he often takes credit for good news from it, as he did when it instituted free transfers). And the governor has made his most pointed public comments about the strike at events called for other reasons - in Times Square, while signing a holiday card for United States troops, or at a news conference in Albany that he called to announce an agreement with the State Legislature on new criminal laws."

The Times can be cruel.

Pataki though has continued his dance with the unions.

"...Mr. Pataki and his aides have reached out to several other influential labor leaders, including Randi Weingarten, the president of the United Federation of Teachers, to try to establish another line of communications with the transit union. They also said that the governor spoke about the situation with Dennis Rivera, the head of 1199 United Healthcare Workers East."

Boss Rivera?

We sniff a deal in the workers.  There is never a benefit to New Yorkers when Dennis Rivera is involved.

Ms. Weingarten said that the talks grew complicated because the transit union's contract was seen as having the potential to set a precedent for other public sector workers, bringing added pressure from both the government and the unions.

"You started seeing, in the last several days, this contract struggle that was initially between M.T.A. and the T.W.U. become huge," she said. "Government forces were being egged on to cut pensions and benefits, and workers to stop seeing their benefits and salaries eroded."

In other words, the other unions are poised to demand their pound of the taxpayers' flesh if TWU Local 100 gets anything extra out of these contract negotiations.

A Good Day To Stay In Bed

Morning traffic report from Traffic.com

The Gothamist says the the strike has been on now Two days, 7 hours and 28 minutes...and counting...

A First Salvo

William Weld was correct in The New York Sun yesterday, right on the mark, but he's not alone in challenging Eliot Spitzer.

"If he were governor, I don't think he would be as aggressive as I would be," Mr. Weld told The New York Sun. "Mr. Spitzer should be asked whether if he were governor, would he fire the members of the executive board and any leaders publicly advocating a strike."

... Yet the former Massachusetts governor fails again (and he is joined by John Faso) to say anything about "the three men in the room" ruining things in this state -- and the well-meaning reporter forgets that Albany is in New York State.

The question we have for The New York Sun is why they didn't interview the other gubernatorial candidates, including Eliot Spitzer.

"... Mr. Spitzer has been hiding behind the skirts of Governor Pataki, whom he is supposed to represent. No doubt Mr. Spitzer is keeping out of the limelight in hopes of union backing when he runs for governor."

We know this point already.  It's a good point but it's late, a week late.  By some measure, it's over six months late.

We also know that the State Legislature has more control of the MTA than any other entity, including Governor Pataki, who may wield more administrative control but the other two men in the room, Silver and Bruno, control the flow of money.

Until the fourth estate actually spends a few days reading the few hundred pages of the Brennan Center for Justice's report on the State Legislature, including studying many pages of historical footnotes on legislative puzzles going back to the turn of the last century, News Copy seriously wonders if any journalist is up to the task of starting surgery on the State Capitol.

The best solution they can offer is term limits -- one we don't embrace for reasons relating to the value (not harm) of seniority, a slow and deliberative part of America's democracy.

The Political Battle Ahead is also a half-baked editorial that entirely absolves Silver and Bruno by not mentioning them.  No reference to their special session of the State Legislatire or their collective silence on many political matters.

"Mr. Weld, in an interview quoted by our Jacob Gershman on page 1, vows that he'd be far more aggressive than Mr. Spitzer in dealing with the problem of the transit union and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Which we mention because we don't believe for a New York nanosecond that the problems that have delivered chaos to the city this week are matters that can be dealt with in negotiations with a scofflaw like Roger Toussaint."

They are certainly matters that could be dealt with more effectively by George Pataki, in concert with State Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno and -- last but not least -- Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.

Why didn't they interview Spitzer, Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi, Assemblyman Patrick Manning (who has already commented to The Associated Press), former Secretary of State Randy Daniels, former Assembly Minority Leader John Faso and Tom Golisano.

Or are they afraid that one or more of these gentleman would actually have something as impressive as William Weld to say?

Also, their suggestion about term limits doesn't solve the problem.

Treating Albany and New York City like they are in the same state would be a start.

Better coverage of elections by the working press helps solve many of the problems ailing the Empire State.  Upstate news coverage of the New York City Transit Strike -- as also their fiscal problem -- might began waking people up to vote.

The Sun closes with a sense of things to come.

"Mr. Pataki spent the run-up to this fiasco off in other states campaigning for the presidency of America. He has left behind wonderful tinder for a historic governor's race here at home, and we look forward to the coming battle among the Republicans and then between the Republican nominee and Mr. Spitzer or another candidate from the party of the public employee unions."

We hope.

New York Held Hostage

Henry Stern, New York City's venerable former Parks Commissioner, penned a cutting piece in The New York Sun that cuts to the chase about this transit strike.

"The governor will call the shots because he appoints most of the MTA, including its chairman, Peter Kalikow. If Mr. Pataki pulls the carpet out from under him on the MTA, or indicates he has no objection to any settlement the union can extort, his fine words of resistance will be hollow indeed. But why should he be less generous to Mr. Toussaint than he was to Dennis Rivera in 2002? The governor could be the weak link here; we will soon learn whether he caves in or resists pressure."

Pataki as put forth to some media a weak imitation of a strong governor.

He isn't Rockefeller.  It's too late to stop him from pretending that he is Nelson Rockefeller and it's disturbing how much the two men (and their eras) have in common.

The late governor wouldn't have been very patient with those on strike and the leadership would have been in jail three days ago.

News Copy believes the present governor "jumped into the fray" far too late.

Pataki Jumps Into Fray, Demands End Of Strike:  WCBS-TV

It makes for great news copy but Pataki should explain why the threat of jailings took so long... And why he wasted so much time in Iowa, New Hampshire and Puerto Rico.

Stern reminded everyone of the "collateral damage" and obviously wanted to evoke an image of union bosses as terrorists (Pataki and Bruno long ago capitulated to Dennis Rivera).

"The inconvenience to millions of New Yorkers, the loss of business by thousands of stores who depend on pre-Christmas sales, the loss of wages by people unable to get to work, the negative impact on corporate decisions to stay or build here, the heart attacks suffered by those unnecessarily exposed to prolonged cold, the financial loss to the MTA make the strike a substantial blow to the city and its people."

The Gothamist and the Bridge and Tunnel Club each gave a thorough rundown of editorial comment by all the New York City newspapers.

The Bridge and Tunnel Club blog spoke from the heart -- and that's an understatement.

Given the circumstances, a little earthy editorializing can't hurt.

State Lawmakers Stay Mum On Transit Strike

Wednesday's special session of the State Legislature brought Democrats and Republicans to the table to agree on two bills that strengthen gun control laws and increase penalties for violence against police officers.

But once again the State Legislature ran for cover on the issue of the New York City Transit Strike.

Welcome to the world of "three men in a room."

Albany agrees to toughen gun trafficking, "cop killer" laws

The Associated Press reported that Governor George Pataki dropped his proposal to include death as a possible punishment for killing a police officer -- and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver dropped provisions that would have addressed legal retail gun sales.

Silver played "chicken" with Pataki, driving straight at him, and the governor blinked.

"We feel we should have the death penalty," Republican Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno said. "It was in our bill, it was in the governor's bill, but we couldn't get it through the Assembly ... We are getting a result, and life without parole is a lot better than where we are now in terms of punishment."

It was the Republican's loss and Sheldon Silver's gain.  Of course, Pataki would argue that weakening Silver's stance was a victory but it was a bluff not called.

Once again, George Pataki demonstrated why he has been a weak governor and why Albany's way of doing business must change.

Last time we looked, Shelly Silver was not the Governor of New York State.

He is more than willing to run for the position, if he aspires to manhandle so much power, but his abuse of the Assembly Speaker position is a parlimentary farce -- a crime -- that someone in the State Capitol must eventually address.

Meanwhile, the silence from State lawmakers on the strike and the lack of coverage by reporters on the State Legislature's response -- or lack of response -- doesn't help the people of New York State.

Silver preoccupied everyone with everything but greater penalties for murder.

The Associated Press reported that Silver supported the bills favored by Pataki last week, but also wanted to include "more comprehensive" measures, including more stringent requirements on gun dealers.

Those proposals were dropped from consideration Wednesday amid opposition by the governor and Senate.

Silver said he would continue to push for such laws and to outlaw armor-piercing bullets.

"How can we continue to send law-enforcement officers into the path of danger armed with bulletproof vests while continuing to allow deadly 'cop-killer' bullets on the streets?" Silver said in a statement.

How could the Democrats once again be allowed to avoid voting on a greater deterrent to using those bullets in the first place?

'Twas the Strike Before Christmas

The graphic to the right comes courtesy of The Gothamist, whose coverage on the street during this strike has been exceptional.

The Gothamist also has a strike clock and a sobering post about a drop in shopping.

Newsday's Transit Strike Blog reported that picket lines had been breached by a 1,000 workers from both the Transport Workers Union Local 100 and Amalgamated Transit Union.

The Transport Workers Union's blog, Transit Worker, has not been updated.  There hasn't been any announcement that anyone is going back to work either.

Ever reliable New York City blogger Suitably Flip (who hosted a great party the other night) has updates on the strike.

Roger Toussaint and his crew could be going to  jail Thursday, reported Forbes off an Associated Press story.

News Copy hope he is jailed.

We'll believe it when we see it.

State Supreme Court Justice Theodore Jones said he may sentence the union leaders to jail for refusing to end the strike, calling such a scenario a "distinct possibility."

He also fined Local 100's too International counterparts $125,000 each for their involvement -- though these same unions didn't voice approval for the strike in court Tuesday and they appear to be replacing striking workers in the city.

"All the transit workers have to do is listen to their international (union) that's urged them to go back to work, listen to the judge who ordered them back to work, and look at their families and their own economic interests," he said. "They should go back to work. Nobody's above the law, and everyone should obey the law."

Jones ordered that two unions representing a fraction of the transit workers be fined $50,000 per day for one of the unions and $75,000 per day for the second union. Together the unions, which are part of the amalgamated Transit Workers Union, represent about 3,000 workers of the MTA union.

Finally, Mary Katherine Ham on Hugh Hewitt's blog discusses 'Twas The Strike Before Christmas and that the sticking point had been pensions.

In its last offer before negotiations broke down, the MTA had proposed increasing employee contributions to the pension plan from 2 percent to 6 percent, said union lawyer Walter Meginniss Jr. He added that such a change would be "impossible" for the union to accept.

"Were it not for the pension piece, we would not be out on strike," union president Roger Toussaint said in an interview with NY1. "All it needs to do is take its pension proposal off the table."

An intolerable six percent.

Every worker in America can relate to that, right?

Stakes Rising During Transit Strike

It appears as though the people of New York City and its commuting population must endure Day Three.

The 2005 New York City Transit Strike continues...

...And the political posturing in the press has begun.

The Village Voice's blog Power Plays had only venom for Mayor Bloomberg and Governor Pataki over their stance that contract negotiations would resume only after the transport workers were back on the job.

Wayne Barrett took a chilly shot, Bloomberg: Some of Koch's Style, None of His Resolve.

He quoted former Labor Commissioner Robert Linn, who could not recall any city strike that had ever ended without a negotiated settlement, adding that "it was clearly not the Koch point of view that we should never negotiate with a union that's on strike."

Ed Koch had much warmer weather and friendlier labor advocates around him.  He was a Democrat, in the company of the enemy, so to speak.  The mayor and the governor are Republicans.  They're under political seige -- and getting no help from local or state legislatures.

Bloomberg particularly is left embattled and even Pataki understands the will of the people this time around.

"To say that we will not negotiate," says Linn, "must mean that the city expects the union to capitulate soon. If that's the strategy, how long a strike will this be?"

Between additional fines, jail time and a loss of two days pay for each day out, the strike shouldn't last much longer.

The world is celebrating New York tonight.  New Yorkers are gaining the respect and the empathy of people throughout the planet.  Times have changed.  In an era of austerity for so many corporations and municipalities, throughout the United States and the world, there is no patience for such petulant walkouts.

New Yorkers Slug It Out In Bitter Cold:  India

Strike Causes NY Commuters To Improvise:  South Africa

Transit Strike Cripples New York:  Canada

New Yorkers endured a commuters' nightmare yesterday as 33,000 transit workers walked out in an illegal, pre-Christmas strike that could quickly cost the city more than $1-billion (U.S.) in lost economic activity.

With the shuttering of a transit system that carries seven million people a day, commuters improvised in frigid weather by carpooling, hitchhiking, biking, walking -- or just staying home.

Police vigorously enforced an emergency order that barred all commercial traffic and automobiles carrying fewer than four people from entering much of Manhattan in the morning, setting up check stops that backed up busy highways for several kilometres.

NYC Commuters Coping With Transit Strike:  China

Subway Strike Stops New York Cold:  Russia

Unionists Face Jail Over New York Strike:  Australia

NY Strike Expected To Cost Millions Per Day:  Spain

Second Day of Commuter Misery in NY:  Qatar

Thuggish Union Leadership Shows Thin Skin

In a play of pure "race baiting" against New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the Associated Press reported that the word "thuggish" now constitutes a racial slur.

Maybe they would prefer to be immediately jailed and prosecuted for promoting anarchy on the streets of New York during terrorist-strained times.  ...And after the first human dies from a terrorist bomb, due to the number of police left worrying about strike induced traffic, perhaps a manslaughter charge should be added to charges of contempt of court and disturbing the peace.

Hyperbole, yes, but the Taylor Law has been violated.  Anyone who has a friend or a relative going through the checkpoints understands that the terrorist threat is felt going into New York City, even if those checkpoints are supposedly just to make sure vehicles have four or more passengers.

Everyone understands the ongoing reality of terrorism and the added stress on any potential protection during an already congested holiday week.

We appreciate that no one wants to make a martyr out of Roger Toussaint but jailing him seems long overdue at the moment.

Personal attacks, accusations fly on second day of transit strike

The Associated Press covered what has become a desperate racial card played by Roger Toussaint and company.

NEW YORK -- Transit strike rhetoric took an ugly turn after Mayor Michael Bloomberg described union heads as "thuggish," a remark some say was racist in the context of a predominantly black union.

Bloomberg has done a wonderful job containing a chaos controlled by State and union negotiators.  Some people seem to forget that he's as much held hostage to the system as the commuters.

In a speech where he accused the union of being selfish, shameful and disrespectful, a defiant Bloomberg said the leadership of Transport Workers Union Local 100 "thuggishly turned their backs on New York City and disgraced the noble concept of public service."

Bloomberg has not called for Toussaint's jailing, another point missed by union sympathizers -- who now have popped up like bobbleheads.

A group of City Council members and black leaders said Wednesday that Bloomberg's comment was racist because it was directed at leaders of a union that is less than 30 percent white.

"We resent the idea that you would characterize a predominantly black and Latino union as a bunch of thugs," said City Councilman Charles Barron. "We will not tolerate any racist remarks about our union and our workers. We want leadership from the mayor."

The mayor's spokesman, Ed Skyler, said "it's despicable to inject race into this situation."

These city council members are inciting a crowd to riot, yes?

Where is the State Legislature?  When do any of these knuckleheads in Albany comment?

Not one State lawmaker has crossed the Brooklyn Bridge with New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

The Associated Press noted that Transport Workers Union President Roger Toussaint stopped short of joining the accusations of racism, but said Wednesday that the "thuggish" remark showed the mayor's "lack of respect" for his members.

...As if he didn't motivate and plan those remarks against the mayor.

Roger Toussaint Remains Out of Jail

Enforcing the Law

Transport workers face loss of two days pay for each day out, in addition to the TWU Union Local 100 being fined one million a day.

The question now is why Roger Toussaint is not in jail for contempt of court.  He claimed tonight on television to want negotiations resumed, so perhaps that technically leaves him safe from any shackles for now.

Newsday reported that Governor George Pataki had "bowed out" of negotiations.  His statement becomes a loud noise, signifying nothing.

"Mayor Bloomberg and I are in complete agreement that the MTA has negotiated in good faith and that the Taylor Law is crystal clear--it is illegal for public employees to strike. Essential government services cannot be shut down. In a city of 8 million people, mass transit is such a service and must be provided without interruption. It is illegal not just because it causes inconvenience and economic loss, but also because such a strike poses a serious threat to the health and safety of our residents in particular for those who need to travel for emergency services."

It's hard enough protecting the island of Manhattan from potential terrorism.  Such "mayhem" on the streets is an anecdote for disaster in a post 9/11 world.

But Pataki has taken an "under the radar" approach during this strike, spending half his time campaigning for president and the rest of the time in Puerto Rico.

"This is for the MTA to resolve. Mike Bloomberg and I are in 100% agreement, that the professionals at the table will resolve this."

As long as the fines aren't waived, George.

The New York Sun ran an editorial Tuesday morning addressing three sides of this strike; the failure to enforce the law (Toussaint should already be in jail), the unaccountable MTA and the politicians... who they wish would stay home.

"In 2003 the subway fare increased to $2 from $1.50 amid claims that the system was in a fiscal crunch. Then all of a sudden the authority discovered a surplus so large that it decided to cut the fare to $1 as a holiday present to riders. You don't have to be a labor-management negotiating genius to know that the best moment to discover a billion dollar surplus isn't on the eve of triennial contract negotiations."

The State Legislature approving a referendum for nearly $2 billion more, one that passed, certainly doesn't aid the argument that the MTA is still in a "fiscal crunch."

The Sun rightfully advises that the MTA and the State play hardball.

"...The MTA could refuse to negotiate with this union until the workers are back on the job. If that fails, the authority can begin hiring and training permanent replacement workers. The strikers mustn't be permitted to escape the full penalties of the Taylor Law, which include docking workers' pay and jailing the union leaders.

The Sun also brought the brunt of this mess to Pataki's feet.

"The MTA symbolizes everything that is wrong with Albany. It's linked closely enough to Governor Pataki that he can milk it for patronage, but it's distant enough that he can claim it's not his fault. We doubt many will credit that claim after he spent the run-up to this strike campaigning for the presidency of America."

Are there any State lawmakers with the cojones to join Michael Bloomberg on the Brooklyn Bridge?

The Jam Factor

Anyone need the New York traffic report?

This comes courtesy of Gawker and traffic.com

Everyone should get used to the "jam factor" over the next few days.

Then there is the "sleepy factor" that was caught on Craig's List last week -- and removed today.

News from City Hall's Blue Room and the text of Bloomberg's speech, comes courtesy of Henry Stern's blog.

The former Parks Commissioner often has better "scoops" than the Associated Press or any of New York's newspapers.

The Fifth Estate (New York Press) had this link for prospective carpoolers.

Andrew Kirtzman of CBS asks Roger Toussaint about the mayhem he caused.  Lou Young's report on the "mayhem" at Penn Station is a classic.

The Gothamist had extensive coverage on the street, including this photo of a bike parking attendant.

Newsday has its own take on the Transit Strike with its Transit Strike Blog.

The New York Daily News and The Associated Press has this to say about Michael Bloomberg's fashion statement (betting money say he'll be wearing a parka Wednesday).

Subways Down, So Brooklyn Bridge Stands In

He must have been FREEZING!!!

Vespa anyone?

Those on scooters had some fun today.

Overheard in New York had the following "Scenes from the Strike" and The Local had a few choices comments.

Even Ms. Subway had something to say about the strike.

The employees at Gawker, who tele-commuted to work and missed all the fun on the streets, lamented their local caffeine fix being closed.

"As we work from home, we felt that it wasn’t right to bitch about the strike beyond our cursory aggregation of rants ... We believed we had no business truly complaining.

"That is, until we went outside just now and saw something so horrifying that we’d thought for sure Manhattan had morphed into the Heart of Darkness: our local Starbucks is completely closed."

Second Day of the Strike

The Politicker first reported that the TWU had started its own blog after its website crashed.

At last glance, we counted about a thousand or more comments spread over a half a dozen posts -- and then the union pulled the plug.

The Bridge and Tunnel Club blog had its own fun with the situation, as did other blogs who couldn't help but chuckle at the comments running 3-1 against a strike on the union's own blog!!!

Disable Comments! Disable Comments!

"Somebody started a TWU Local 100 Blog, and enabled comments!

Unbridled public outrage at the striking union ensues"

Now it's a tame information blog -- with no comments.

There is no indication from the TWU's blog that the strike is over.

Day Two

The Village Voice blog Power Plays is closely following the strike, including some good reporting on the internal union battle that ensured in court.

"As if the striking transit workers didn't already have enough enemies, bad blood between Transport Workers Union Local 100 and its national parent body spilled over into a Brooklyn courtroom today where a lawyer for the national union condemned the ongoing walkout as unreasonable and unauthorized."

The leader of the Transport Workers Union claimed during a television interview tonight that he has reached out to the MTA to resume negotiations.

No comment from the MTA.

The TWU's angle is the one billion dollar surplus that the MTA has hidden under the mattress.  It's the same MTA surplus that Shelly Silver, Joe Bruno and George Pataki regularly bank on around budget time.  It's no excuse to strike but it is a real issue that all New Yorkers should be pissed about.

All public corporations have their surplus.  It's a part of what a public corporation does well but no other State agency gets fiscally skewered every year as much as the MTA.

Every year, these "three men in the room" either limit a transportation appropriation or pull from previously protected MTA funds -- always knowing that the MTA has the surplus to handle the money grabs.

...But we're not taking the union's side here.

---

The Gotham Gazette's blog The Wonkster noted the worst case scenario:

"With every day the union stays out, the incentive to stay out grows. Why?

Because the TWU will want to stay out until the city and state agree to waive the all fines, which grow greater each day. The longer they are out, the greater the incentive to stay out."

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg made it clear this morning and later in the afternoon that no fines would waived.

The only problem is that Governor Pataki and Attorney General Eliot Spitzer have more control over that resolution than Bloomberg.  The MTA is a State agency.

Spitzer's part in this madness could get wicked as the week goes on. Spitzer softening with unions would bring back the strike crazed 1970s.  Spitzer getting tough with unions might make him popular with a lot of voters but his base within the Democratic Party is built on union endorsements.

Anyone from Albany who turns this strike into politics is getting Bloomberged.

So how does the strike end?

Image of a humbled Roger Toussaint being removed by his own union.

No fines will be waived -- and Eliot Spitzer catches criticism for not arresting Toussaint.

New York Transit Union Fined Million Dollars Each Day

New York City's transit union has been found in contempt of a court order forbidding workers to strike.

Brooklyn State Supreme Court Justice Theodore Jones imposed a fine of $1 million a day after the union shut down the city's subways and buses for the first time in 25 years.

The TWU "walked out on the job, walked out on the people of New York and hurt the people they work for," Mayor Michael Bloomberg said at City Hall press conference this afternoon. "The leadership of the TWU has thuggishly turned their backs on the city and disgraced the noble concept of public service."

Bloomberg's news service had the story.

It wasn't class warfare.  It wasn't MTA corruption.  It wasn't a hatred of organized labor.  In the end, it was about a small few leading many in a union off the cliff like lemmings.

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has again held firm against a union.

Transport Workers Union Local 100 is expected to appeal.  However, the international TWU is expected to clip the wings of Local 100's "leadership" in the near future.

"Nobody knows how long this strike will go. If cooler heads prevail tomorrow morning, they will go back to work,'' the mayor said. "If they choose to make it longer, the impact on this city will grow.''

"Every effect that the law allows will be brought to bear on all striking members,'' Metropolitan Transportation Authority Chairman Peter Kalikow said in a news conference after the strike was declared.

Strategically, the TWU Local 100 could push this back into court and force a legal tug-of-war with Attorney General Eliot Spitzer.

It's highly unlikely Spitzer would react kindly in court to TWU's demands but the gubernatorial candidate relies heavily on union backing.  However, it's just as obvious to everyone watching the strike unfold that the walkout had not drawn the support of other unions. 

Spitzer could also lose the support of millions fed up with unions by pandering in any way to a union.

MTA Gets Free Pass

The New York Post's Robert George noted on his blog Ragged Thots the same fiscal issue News Copy has been digging at with the MTA.

The MTA has a surplus of one billion dollars, at least, and will be well-funded by the recently passed bond referendum.

George noted the following problems at the MTA:

*Construction of a new headquarters became a multi-milion dollar debacle, rife with corruption and mob infiltration.

*Charges that it keeps "two sets of books" are common. Ironically, that 2003 report by State Comptroller Alan Hevesi and City Comptroller Bill Thompson was both repudiated and confirmed in subsequent years -- proving the main point that no one knows how much money the MTA has).

*After years-long warnings of imminent fiscal doom that mandated fare increases, the authority revealed several months ago a huge surplus -- one which is now over one billion dollars (cue Dr. Evil accent). Now, that figure is somewhat illusory because of outstanding long-term pension obligations (ironically one of the key stumbling blocks on the contract).

"With this accumulated backstory, it's no wonder that -- as frustrated as the public will be because of the inconveniences that the strike imposes -- a lot of fury will be directed toward the MTA. Simply put, this is the least-trusted public agency in the state.

That might -- stress might -- embolden the union to stay out for a few days."

At the moment though, the MTA is getting a free pass.

Hevesi Hiding With Spitzer

The best New York State Comptroller Alan Hevesi could manage to say on the day of a strike was that the State-funded debt is high and growing.

Where is Eliot Spitzer?

Hevesi is hiding.

Sheldon Silver is hiding.

Most of the Democrats in New York State are praying this strike ends within the next twelve hours.  Many liberal Republicans and officials or candidates who are under he influence of unions are silent today.

They're all keeping away from this strike, starting with Eliot Spitzer.

The ambitious Attorney General loves unions and they love him.  It's an affair of dollars, an expensive one, and it has everything to do with the kind of governor he intends to be.

"It is essential to borrow to keep our infrastructure sound and our economy competitive, but there is a limit to how much borrowing we can do," Hevesi, a Democrat, said in pushing his debt reform plan. "The costs of debt are threatening to crowd out the critical services taxpayers will need in the future."

When you're beholden to the unions, you issue a press release like the above -- and then pay an additional percentage or two to every union that supports you in the next or last election.

How can any leader of New York State rein in debt when he or she is beholden to the unions?

Legal Consequences of Transit Strike

New York City blogger Suitably Flip had these keen observations on the legal consequences of this transit strike.

"This is the first time since 1980 that the union has made good on threats of an illegal strike, at which point an 11-day strike occurred under Mayor Ed Koch.  Koch has been vocal about the strike this time around, aggressively supporting levying the steep fines against the rank-and-files members, but not the jailing of union leaders provided by the Taylor Law (not because they don't deserve it, but because it serves only to elevate them to martyr status).

I disagree.

Union chief Roger Toussaint and the rest of the TWU leadership that felt using the financial health and safety of New York as leverage in their lawless pursuit of more money should be locked up until they call off this disgraceful anarchic campaign."

Michelle Malkin had her own coverage of the strike, as did Mary Katherine Ham on Hugh Hewitt's blog, Red Guy in a Blue State, Blogmeister USA and Gotham Gazette's Wonkster.

Though what I find disturbing is how the New York City Council and the New York State Legislature, who literally have over two hundred elected officials representating the five boroughs, have not commented on this strike.

Albany's Narrow Minds

Bruno calls for immediate cash advance to keep NYRA solvent

The best Joe Bruno's office could offer New York today was the following statement to the Associated Press:

"It is urgent that the state act immediately to implement a plan which will ensure the continuity of world class thoroughbred racing in the state, secure the livelihood of all individuals involved with the industry, enhance the economic benefits derived from thoroughbred racing and restructure the industry to assure its viability and competitiveness in future years," Bruno said in a letter to Gov. George Pataki, a fellow Republican.

He's only the State Senate Majority Leader...

Perhaps someday he will start acting like one.

We guess he cares more about horses than subway riders.

... And Bruno wonders why he has been gradually losing control of the State Senate.

Court Rules Transit Strike Illegal

The MTA and the Transport Workers Union (TWU) were in Kings County Supreme Court at 4:30 this morning where Judge Theodore Jones issued a temporary restraining order against transit workers to stop the strike.

Newsday reported this fact on their website at a quarter to twelve.

Now the games start.

What it means is that the parameters of the Taylor Law can now be enforced.  At 11:00 am, the two sides met again to argue in court whether the union should face criminal contempt proceedings for violating the state's Taylor Law.

In addition to making the strike illegal, the union and its striking members could now be facing fines.

In 1968, striking New York City school teachers lost large portions of their salary that year for a walkout that lasted nearly three months.

Transit workers Union President Roger Toussaint told union members to report to their "assigned strike locations, picket lines, or [nearest] facility immediately," and asked the city's riders for their "understanding and forbearance" during the strike.

MTA Chairman Peter Kalikow called the strike "a slap in the face" to all New Yorkers, and a court hearing was scheduled for Tuesday morning as authorities sought a legal remedy to end the strike.

Bloomberg called the walkout "a cowardly attempt by Roger Toussaint and the TWU to bring the city to its knees to create leverage for their own bargaining position."

Bloomberg crossed the bridge with commuters this morning.

That man is looking good.

New York City's mayor is sleeping on a cot in an office right below the Brooklyn Bridge.  We know he is trying to prove something.  We also know his heart is in the right place.

But no one can ever repeat the populist flair of New York City Mayor Ed Koch as he crossed that bridge with thousands of commuters in April of 1980.

News Copy suggests that George Pataki should be walking side by side with Michael Bloomberg, as should Sheldon Silver and Joe Bruno.  We suspect it's a better bet that Koch himself will be walking next to Bloomberg Wednesday morning, if the strike continues.

No member of the State Legislature, no member of New York's Congressional delegation, no elected official within the five boroughs or surrounding suburbs has the guts to cross the Brooklyn Bridge with the Mayor of New York City.

They are all too afraid of the unions.

They are all too consumed with counting the votes and the campaign donations.

When it comes time for the State Legislature to start discussing the Taylor Law Wednesday during its special session, we predict a minimum of comment.

The issue of fines and how the courts cold penalize this union will likely be avoided too.

The silence will be deafening.

The Union That Stole Christmas... Revenues

Our friends at Urban Elephants have aimed their fire.  Scott Sala is bringing together an assortment of perspectives from throughout the city.

The Politicker seemed unusually slow -- though this might be do to the fact that everyone was still getting to work this morning.

This is not April of 1980 and Ed Koch is not coming to the rescue.

We have never imagine ourselves to be a New York City blog but this transit strike directly affects sleepy suburbanites, who now find themselves commuting into a city that's off the tracks.

The Journal News in Westchester County had these stories.

The courts will decide how this strikes ends, since it is illegal but the politicans will pander.

The Transit Union Workers website crashed (hmn...wonder why), so now they have setup their own blog.

Bloggers unite?  Nah...

At last count, anti-strike sentiment on this improvised Transit Worker blog (where you are more than welcome to vent your spleen) was 3-1 AGAINST a strike.

As for New York State, the cost of this strike will affect the State budget.  Less sales tax revenue this holiday translates into higher taxes next year and less local funding.

It's not April of 1980 when the average city or suburban commuter could enjoy a walk to work.  It's cold out there.

Karol at Alarming News found this well-stated commentary on the transit strike by Evan Coyne Maloney at Brain Terminal.

GOP and the City offers some facts and figures on the strike.

Estimated daily cost of this transit strike to the city:  $400,000,000

$400 million!!!

That comes to $2.8 billion by the day after Christmas.

Transit Strike Begins

Anatomy of a strike...

It's already being called The Union That Stole Christmas

The Associated Press:

Talks break down and midnight deadline passes with no word on possible transit strike

Transit union calls a strike, ensuring chaos during morning rush hour

A look at the NYC subway system, by the numbers

Transit union calls strike in NYC, threatening chaos during morning rush hour

Commuter chaos: New Yorkers share cabs, take bikes, put on walking shoes

New York transit strike: `Cowardly,' mayor says

Early morning commuters frustrated as NYC trains, buses screech to halt

Key issues in the New York City transit strike

Not one word yet from Governor Pataki or the State Legislature...

The Fifth Estate noted that Pataki was in New York City this weekend -- but he avoided contract negotiations.

We have a weak governor.  We have a State Legislature too complicit with union "give and take" to care.

Of course, the State Legislature has an opportunity on Wednesday to take legal action but issue here runs deeper than just legaleeze.

At least there are still some things in this world that New Yorkers can rely on...

As subways stand down, iconic Brooklyn Bridge stands in

Taxi Drivers Could Stay Home

To show solidarity with transit workers, over 7,000 taxi drivers could stay home, reported Newsday.

"We're telling our members to stay at home," Bhairavi Desai, director of the Taxi Workers Alliance, said Tuesday. "First of all, why should we scab for the city? Secondly, it's going to be economically disastrous and highly stressful."

Desai explained that the meter slows down in heavy traffic, and yellow cab drivers earn an average of $12 an hour when they are idling, because meters are based on mileage and waiting time.

So maybe to show solidarity with all the commuters, all passengers should never tip tax drivers again?