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Biggest economic decline in decades. 10% of people out of work. Millions of people losing their homes. And these greedy SOB's want more money. If they get a penny I quit mass transit and go back to my Honda.
Rendell tells both sides to stay at the table until an agreement is reached, and what do they do? They decide to postpone the next scheduled meeting. Way to crack the wip Ed.
You guys kill me, are you saying that the employees, who work for SEPTA...should never ask for a raise? In this economic climate...REALLY...it's not their fault that the board is greedy and selfish.
Nobody said they should NEVER ask for a raise. But they should only ask for one if there is a legitimate reason. In times when the economy is cruising on all cylinders and we are experiencing typical inflation, a cost of living increase should certainly be expected. But that is not the current situation. We are in a DEFLATION period where the cost of living is actually going down. That is why Social Security recipients did not receive an increase this year. It is not that the board is selfish or greedy. With the economy where it is, and SEPTA revenues down, and there is simply no reason that a raise is warranted or deserved. For the past 3-4 days I have been challenging folks to post a valid reason why a raise is deserved, and yet nobody has stepped up. Calling other folks "union haters" and criticizing SEPTA management do not constitute valid reasons. People in other occupations seem to understand that when the economy is marching forward, you can expect pay increases, and when the economy takes a step back, you are lucky to hold the line where it is. People who are working under a pay freeze are not stupid, to the contrary they are realistic. Meanwhile, they see what the unions are doing as extortion. When the union demands undeserved raises it affects not just the SEPTA riders, but all taxpayers as well.
So does this mean if the Phillies lose tonight and there are no World Series dollars at stake, then the Governor will back off, and there will be a strike tomorrow?
What I am saying is regardless of the economic climate they shouldn't get a dime. Septa's Service sucks period, and they don't deserve a raise. Now with the way things are, fire everyone that walks out. There are plenty of people who would love to have a job that' starts at $18 hr with benefits. They can't be any worse than it is now. And yes I ride septa every day for the last 20 years. The bus drivers are rude, the cashiers WHO DON'T MAKE CHANGE, are the worst. All because they know that the are un-fireable, it takes an act of congress and a writ from the Pope to fire a Septa Employee. And yes I know this first hand, it is something employees are very proud to brag on.
ride a bike and privatize our mass transit
like Sweden :D
Once upon a time, there was a strapping young man named Willie. He lived next door to a kind widow named Lucy. For years Willie and Lucy had a special arrangement. Whenever Lucy's car needed it's oil changed, Willie would take care of it. In return, Lucy would bake Willie one of her delicious apple pies. This went on fine for 4-5 years until one day Willie announced "I want a raise. This time I want two apple pies for changing your oil!" Lucy pointed out the the relative cost of motor oil and apples had not changed. Willie replied back that he did not care, and still wanted his raise. "But I have been baking you pies for all these years and have not asked for a raise!", Lucy protested. "Then you are weak and stupid." replied Willie. "I won't do it!", Lucy shouted back. Willie just smiled and said, "You see, I have already drained the crank case. If you do not agreed to my terms, I will not refill the oil, and you will not be able to drive to your grandson's baseball game tonight." Lucy yelled something about that being extortion, but had no choice but to reluctantly agree. ..... The moral of the story: Willie better be careful when he eats that second pie.
wec4104, I have to agree wholeheartedly with your first post about being realistic in our current economy. I work for a large teaching hospital in the suburbs, and no one got cost of living or performance-based wage increases this year. Yet we all accepted this reality, thankful to at least have a job with health benefits. I can't for the life of me understand why SEPTA workers expect anything different until economic indicators improve.
Those in the private sector don't get, and never will. The CEOs'and shareholder's goal is to make money...nothing else. They doesn't care if the employees,are sick,or have health insurance issues,or vacation time...forget it, just come to work and do as I say...right. In the 21rst. century, that attitude isn't going to fly anymore...Look at all tht's jobs that have gone overseas...again the work of the private sector. Give me the union...the CEO'S don't get to steal all the money and walk away unscathed.
wec4104@ SEPTA for one of the first times is in the black and making money. Ridership is way up because of the price of gas. Also I don't know what a cost of living increase would be, maybe 10% - 20%. The SEPTA workers are not asking for that much. And according to Obama we are coming out of these bad economic times. It seems to me we all should stop believing corporate executives and start believing in our middle class workers. Middle class workers are what makes this country run and I am proud to be one!
If you are thinking 10 to 20%, you are right, you DON'T know what a cost of living increase should be. C.O.L. has dropped, so even if there is a zero raise, you still come out ahead. In the 21st century, unions can keep demanding more, but only up to a point. Eventually, they price themselves right out of the market. First, companies start outsourcing some of the work that needs to be done (like bus maintenance) which eliminates some union jobs. If need be, companies pick up their toys and move where the labor is non-union and fairly priced. South Carolina and several other southern states benefited from plant relocations. As this continues, the unions start chasing more and more jobs overseas. Eventually, they "eat the apple pie".
ibjimp: Actually, SEPTA was making money during last year's gas price highs. In 2009 they have lost 5% ridership due to lowering gas prices, unemployment, what have you. In addition, if the plan to toll I-80 falls through, so does a chunk of SEPTA's state funding. Not only are their requests ridiculous, but there may not be enough money to even fund them.
@ackridgek: If you think unionizing is the way to protect US jobs then you're sorely mistaken. Unions, directly or indirectly, are the reason many jobs have left the US. I'm not advocating that we get rid of unions, nor am I backing up underhanded corporate practices, I'm just saying you should be more informed of an issue before you comment on it.
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