My post-strike rant

[whowouldknow]

I've heard both sides of the issues. The thing that gets to me is all these people who think that they're supposed to support the TWU because it is a union. When a political issue comes up, do you take the time to understand it so that you can make an informed decision? Or do you just pick the side that your political party's on

Comments

[karmakazesal]

I think pay is more than just a pay issue. While the TWU member make more than most city employees, they do so because they are tradesmen and those trades tend to be very well paid.

For an MTA Tradesman (ie electrician) the wage is about $22.70/hr. (From NY1, can't find the link so feel free to correct me if I am wrong) With 8% raises he would be over 60k/yr in three years. But for electricians, the prevailing wage in NYC is $30.15/hr. or around 62k a year. NOW.

http://www.labor.state.ny.us/workforceindustrydata/uiwages.shtm

Asking for market rate is hardly unreasonable. And the Union knew that they wouldn't get it.

Second, the deal used to be that in exchange for less than market rate wages, they would get great benefits and early retirement. And that is exactly what the MTA is looking to cut. So the new deal is low wages, less benefits, less security and no early retirement. So who is that
going to attract?

If you make it hard for the Union to get and keep qualified people, safety will be compromised. And not just the safety of the Union members (would you want to be working in a tunnel that hadn't be properly inspected, maintained and repaired?) but also the safety of commuters.

That's my 2 cents.

[whowouldknow]

As I said before, I'm not saying that they shouldn't be paid more. I don't think they should've gone on strike, which is not the same thing.

Although, do electricians get insurance and pensions? Because if you add in MTA benefits, I think transit workers would still be making more money with the new contract. I suspect that private electricians are paying more towards their insurance, but admittedly I'm not 100% sure about that. And insurance and pensions are still part of a pay-rate issue. If you have your pension but have to pay more towards it, it's the same thing as getting a pay cut. Ditto for health insurance. It would only be something different if the MTA was also talking about changing the nature of their pension.

[karmakazesal]

I don't think they should've gone on strike, which is not the same thing.

An Italian style strike would have made more sense. If the Union refused to do overtime it would effect the MTA far more than the riders. MTA long term plans and scheduling would be really messed up if time tables started to skew,

do electricians get insurance and pensions?

Due to building codes, most are licensed. There is just too much risk in hiring anyone that isn't. So most do get pretty good insurance and pensions. Not as good as the MTA; but pretty close. I can't speak for all trades, but Iron workers, HVAC and Electrical work is all very high paid. Partially because it is very hard work and partially because of the long time it takes to learn the trade. It often combines the mental challenges
of "professional" work with the physical demands of construction.

I have a cousin who is a HVAC Mech and he makes more than his brother who has a 4 year degree in finance from Baruch. The up side is that in finance, you rarely have to chase rats out of heating ducts.

The fact that the MTA can find any tradesmen amazes me. They could be making more, and not have to work nights and weekends; by working elsewhere.

[hobbleskirt]

So the new deal is low wages, less benefits, less security and no early retirement.

Sounds like the deal with NJ's DYFS workers. Who, as a result, can't handle the caseload, make mistakes, and several kids have died as a result.

Wage/benefit distribution is a huge problem across the board.