Transit Strike: "State law prohibits public sector employees from striking, and the union behind the strike faces a fine of $1 million a day as long as it remains off the job. The court is due to reconvene on Wednesday to consider fining individual workers."
Good! I support unions, but this isn't putting union workers in the best of light, by illegally striking, causing pollution through increasing the thousands of cars trapped on the road, inconveniencing commuters and tourists, halting the celebrations of the holidays with political gripes. I can't wait for the workers to be replaced by robots that "ain't gonna complain about pension."
UPDATE: Private Sector and Public Employee, right and left agree. On a sunny day with a weather that is warm, I would be less critical of the union, but not right before a holiday. They should have asked for an extension so that they could negotiate after the holidays. This reminds me of Canada as well, not just Paris. Canada will have to endure negative political campaigning during the holiday season until January 23rd, when the populace will vote for a new government.
Good! I support unions, but this isn't putting union workers in the best of light, by illegally striking, causing pollution through increasing the thousands of cars trapped on the road, inconveniencing commuters and tourists, halting the celebrations of the holidays with political gripes. I can't wait for the workers to be replaced by robots that "ain't gonna complain about pension."
UPDATE: Private Sector and Public Employee, right and left agree. On a sunny day with a weather that is warm, I would be less critical of the union, but not right before a holiday. They should have asked for an extension so that they could negotiate after the holidays. This reminds me of Canada as well, not just Paris. Canada will have to endure negative political campaigning during the holiday season until January 23rd, when the populace will vote for a new government.
posted by Alan at December 21, 2005
24 Comments:
Know what? You live in San Francisco, worry about your own. Stop meddling in towns that has nothing to do with you.
I do not like people who whined about unions. Unions prevented you from being forced to work as 7 years old.
You should be grateful of unions.
R-
I live in New York City. I'm walking 3 hours each way to work.
Why? So that these guys can whine about retiring at 50 something, and paying for their own healthcare.
Meanwhile, the people who suffer are those who could only dream of such a sweet deal as they've been offered. We are losing wages and getting sick in the cold.
Our Police, Firefighters, and Military deserve more, too. What would happen if they striked?
I've been to SF, and the transit workers there are much more helpful, courteous, and friendly. These guys could learn a lot from them.
The union leaders should go to jail and the workers should be fired unless they get their asses back to work. They are breaking the law and hurting our city. I don't support them at all.
"Unions prevented you from being forced to work as 7 years old.
Actually, the law prevents that.
Ridor, obviously you need a teaching in manner. San Francisco BART (a name for transit system) almost went through a strike, but they pulled together an agreement just hours before the strike began. New York, in this case, obviously couldn't agree before the contract expired.
What's another difference is that in California's case, the workers are legally able to strike. Since San Francisco Bay Area has only some hundreds of thousands of people, compared to nearly 8 millions in New York, a strike wouldn't affect us as much as it affects New York.
And please, what I said doesn't even count as "meddling", it's commenting. If people in Houston or Kansas City are free to criticize on San Francisco's liberal values, I can be free to comment on New York.
"Actually the law prevents that." --CPM
Exactly right. The unions are only one way to protest for changing the law to prevent child labor or to instate eight-hour-day rule. By changing the law, it helps to make life better for workers.
In THIS case, the workers have broken the law.
Cary Patrick Martin, actually -- the law was drafted by the pressures of UNIONS to outlaw child labor in the first place. IN fact, the Congress did NOT give a shit about children being assigned to work because they were lobbied by people in the industry. It took the UNIONS to defeat these greedy capitalists to institute these laws!
I lived in New York and there is significance of union history associated with its people. And people in New York, I know their attitude -- they get annoyed when people in Whoville attempted to comment about their problems.
It appears that you are more focused on the sensitivity of ECONOMY than the human needs.
Call it ad hominem if you must -- your interpretation that I lack the manners does not mean a thing to me at all. Honest, who gives a f*ck about what you think of me as a person?
R-
"Honest, who gives a f*ck about what you think of me as a person?"
Excuse me, but the same might be said about you. I responded to your comment because I find your attitude to be ignorant and insulting. I would in fact call you a typical Deafie. Ooh, how hurt you must feel!
"It took the UNIONS to defeat these greedy capitalists to institute these laws!"
Again, they broke the very law that they set up.
"It appears that you are more focused on the sensitivity of ECONOMY than the human needs."
Ha! I'm concerned about the millions of people riding transit who are unable to earn any wage because the unions prevented them from getting to where they need to go. If they can't earn anything, then they're obviously in human needs.
I can't believe you aren't even concerned about the people who ride the transit. You appear to be more concerned about unions than about the PEOPLE. The elderly people and the social workers that can't get anywhere, for example.
And please, do not insult me on this blog. I do not allow that, never have, and never will because it's unproductive to pleasant conversations.
Also, stop obsessing so much about the side I took in the battle between the MTA and the union. Though both are at fault for letting things get so far, the union was selfish and broke the law by striking, the very law that is supposed to help them.
Just let it go!
To clear up any misconceptions on either end, the history of child labor and laws restricting it can be found here.
I’ve been a New Yorker for more than 16 years. We are not as arrogant as you’d like to portray us. I could debate it with you till Kingdom Come, but your rhetoric speaks for itself.
The main flaw in your argument lies in your defense of unions as a whole. Unions as a whole are not being attacked here. This particular union’s particular action at this time is. In fact, the National union leaders condemned the actions of their local branch.
The Economy directly affects the subject of human needs.
Human needs such as:
Homebound handicapped and elderly who cannot eat because the charities that bring them meals cannot operate in the heavy, regulated traffic.
Emergency responder vehicles (ambulances, fire trucks,…) unable to maneuver through the heavy traffic.
Accidents occurring from inexperienced drivers in unusual amounts of traffic.
Hospital blood drives being cancelled, leaving the emergency supply critically low.
People who rely on day to day wages to feed their families and are unable to get to work.
Compare this to TWU employees:
$ 55,000.00/ year
1% into health care benefits,
Retirement and FULL pension at 55….
If these are poor working conditions, we should all have it so bad.
How noble is it to break the law and put lives at risk to get a better deal, when your deal is already better than most of who you’re hurting?
Merry Christmas.
And the New York Times agrees...
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/13/opinion/13gelinas.html?ex=1135659600&en=b70f88bff50d0e29&ei=5070
"typical deafie" would make me feel hurt?!
BWAHWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
The TWU already WARNED all along that they'd STRIKE if the MTA do not do this on good faith. They did not do it on good faith. TWU did the right thing.
Don't tell me that the NY Times agreed -- NY Times is one big fat corporation -- another word: Capitalist.
you whined about people who needs help -- get ambulance, cab or friends to drive around. There are OPTIONS!! Use LIRR, PATH and so on. Be creative. Don't be so limited.
Alan, it is amusing that you think I'd feel hurt if someone called me "typical Deafie" -- you're naive than I thought! But I rather for you to be misguided and assumed that I feel hurt by that. Nothing is far from the truth.
R-
Your breath of ignorance, naivete, and Deaf-like innocence exhilarate me so much. The following below was copied from the comments I already made on your blog.
You're much more naive if you actually THOUGHT I said "typical deafie" to hurt you. If you didn't know, "Ooh, how hurt you must feel" was sarcasm! Look that up if you didn't know what I was talking about. I already know nothing can "faze" you or "hurt" you.
You're tough, but not that smart if you can't figure it out.
You were beginning to be much more mature at your last comment on your blog, but then I read this and I said, "Ha!"
As usual, attacking anything with a tint of capitalism. As usual, ignoring everything we say and cite to focus on how much we "whined" about this and that. I'm sure you support either anarchism or communism, both of which are unsustainable, but you're welcome to be a one-man anarchist, if you so please.
And forgive me (not talking to you, Ridor, I'm talking to myself), I'm a hypocrite because I attacked you (i'm talking to you this time, Ridor) despite saying that I forbid such attacks on my blog.
But really, your very atmosphere is liable to make everyone retaliate with vociferous epithets.
You've been hilarious. Thanks for your comments. I'm charmed to have had someone comment so often. Maybe I should make this blog an attack on everything you don't agree with, just so you can tell me to "stop meddling" and "I don't want to hear your opinion" and "you should be grateful."
That line "you should be grateful" is the same line that conservative bloggers used against liberals, saying "you should be grateful you don't live in china or iran where they torture political dissidents to death".
Nice try, but ENOUGH! I'm bringing the topic too far off, and I'm tired of your unwillingness to engage or concede any point. Your recalcitrance is admirable, if childish.
After thinking about it for a while, I think Ridor is like President Bush in some ways.
Bush lets criticism bounce off him, just as Ridor does. Bush thinks criticism builds character. He doesn't think criticism hurts. What's different is that Bush responds to changing poll, even if it was with deepest reluctance.
Sometimes we need people like you, Ridor, to keep us hardheaded, and sometimes we don't, because you're rather inconsolable and uncompromising.
After all is said and done, I'm happy that I was able to offend someone, because you find it so important to keep commenting on my post. A sign of my genius, no?
That's that. If you comment again, I know you really like me, DAH-ling!
Usually, I would prefer to reconcile with people (because I like the promise of diplomacy) and I want to iron things out. I feel that we're attacking each other too much, but perhaps you really don't care at all, as you claim. That's fine by me. Everyone is different.
If you don't like diplomacy because you prefer harsh "bluntness" and want nothing to do with "phony people". You'd be a great comedian, honestly.
Ta ta, until you reply!
Wait a minute, please do not try to bring your comments on my blogsite by copy and paste because it simply confused everything else.
Are you that immature enough to jump over to my blog to attack me by doing the double carbon copy of what you have to say? Why do that in the first place? Of course, you already wrote your own comments on your blogsite -- why do you run to my blog? I'm trying to see the logic in this matter.
BTW, did you ever read anything about China on my blogsite? I never did because I do not meddle in their affairs.
You actually thought that I felt offended by your comments? Please.
I do not support communism nor anarchism as much as you would love me to be. I'm more of socialism -- after seeing great progress in Europe, especially in Sweden and Norway for Deaf people -- capitalism does nothing for us as Deaf persons. Name me one big-time corporation published by Forbes that has Deaf person running at all? Nope, you don't see any.
It appears that you have a personal grudge on me for something else -- I can see how passionate you are in attacking me.
That does not matter to me at all. But do not take my words out of context.
OH, by the way, yes, your comments will be deleted because it is irrelevant to the comment thread on my blog at all. Don't try to cross and post the double comments on both sites, twerp.
R-
You haven't even read my comment, have you? Don't be silly. I copied only a few lines. You obviously don't have the patience to read beyond that and then you suddenly "whine" about being confused.
I copy some lines for other visitors to get a sense of what I'm talkinig about, not for you. If you're so closed-mind as to actually think that I copied it here because I want to confuse you. You're sorely mistaken.
Since you're not mature enough to keep my comments on your site, I'll just copy and paste here.
I knew that you might not be able to handle my opinions.
**I just found out that you're not going to delete your comments. Well, maybe I'll post them anyway, just in case you actually do delete it out of spite.
Believe me, I comment on your site FIRST before I came over here to copy a few lines in response to your comment here.
I have come to the conclusion that Mr. Ridor is simply an inflammatory troll who cannot debate facts reasonably. He somehow seems to feel justified in coming to your blog and dictating to you what you should or shouldn't write about. Of course, he can't handle whatever you bring to his.
I can tell you that his view on this particular matter puts him in the extreme minority, even among the most liberal New Yorkers. Even so, he is certainly entitled to disagree.
However, a simple quick perusal of his blog indicates that his tactics toward justification for any of his postitions rest soley on sophmoric name calling, finger pointing, and personal insults.
If he continues in this manner, I suggest IP banning him.
Oh and Ridor, I'm fairly certain that Sweden and Norway would welcome you with open arms, while you'd be hardly missed here in the US.
So don't let the door hit you in the ass on your grand exit.
Hmm....for a guy's whose 5'6" and overweight sure can make waves.
Cary, extreme minority? Please. I used to live in New York and lots of people talked the same thing that I touched. Cary, I'm not talking to you. It is between me and Alan.
Just stay out of this.
My best friends hailed from Sweden and Norway and it was interesting to compare their progress with ours, I'm sorry to indicate that their inclusiveness of every minority is very noted than in this country.
But if you want to attack me based on my bluntness and disregard of your arguments, then so be it.
Cheers,
R-
One more thing -- I met some bloggers in person -- they disliked "Alarming News" because the person who wrote these stuff is right-wing extremist.
So when you mentioned about her link, sorry, I care less. I do not read stuff that is written by right-wing extremists. Just like they do not read left-wing extremists.
Leave it as is. It is kinda sad that you re looking at this in a malicious manner. I do not look at you in a hateful manner. I do not consider you an enemy. In fact, I do read your blog from time to time -- despite the fact that it was boring sometimes. But with your attitude ("I winced in discomfort when I read his blog") indicated that you think you're above the rest.
Sad.
R-
"I used to live in New York and lots of people talked the same thing that I touched."
Could you please re-write this sentence so that it makes sense? It would be nice to know what you mean.
"Just stay out of this."
This seems to be your default retort, no? I have been, in fact, part of this discussion from the top. In fact, you opened the door by suggesting that only New Yorkers could have such a discussion. Sorry, but you can't change the rules in the middle of the game. If you want a private discussion, don't do it on a public blog. And if you aren't open to different points of views, why do you blog in the first place? If anything, close the comments option down.
Cary, it is typical of people to criticize one's english skills when they are cornered.
You wrote some bad grammar but I did not bother to criticize. do the same.
Quit being malicious.
R-
Ridor, if you can't even make an argument that makes sense and CONVINCES people of the rightness of your argument, then you lost it.
And shame on you, Ridor, for blaming your lack of English skills on your deafness. Cary didn't correct your grammar, he asked for you to clear up what you said.
There are more hearing people who are native English speakers that can't even write well. You may be Deaf, but that doesn't entitle you to claim that you're a victim when you're asked to write clearly!
As per Cary's request, and my agreement, I will close this comments down.
Alan, that was not addressed towards you. I know that you have always been open to dissenting opinions, so long as they are respectful. Since Ridor is not, I would suggest IP banning him, or activating the comment moderation feature.
Yes, perhaps your rhetoric could have been thought out better diplomatically rather than typed out in anger, as you have conceded. But this is your blog and nobody has the right to tell you what to write about or how to express yourself on your turf.
Ridor started on another thread by attacking your character, and now he plays "victim" rather than modestly conceding any points, agreeing to disagree, or re-stating his meaning when told his writing isn't clear in a particular instance. His ego allows him to blatently state that he doesn't have to be reasonable, and therefore any discussion with him is futile.
Let's stop wasting our time.
The lesson here is: ignore trolls and they will go away.
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