Lots of vitriol yesterday on my voice mail and email, mostly about the SEPTA workers. One or two had some racial epithets for Willie Brown, head of the union. One suggested that vets returning from the war replace the drivers, especially "that fat one," whoever that is. One said he'd like to see the whole group replaced.
What bothers me about the whole economic scenario is the general deflation of wages and benefits. Everyone is taking cuts. The SEPTA workers managed to get themselves a decent deal -- not a great deal, but a decent deal. Is getting a decent deal a crime? You'd think so, listening to the calls.
If middle-class people can't make enough to paint their homes and keep up their properties, what will happen to the city? What will happen to my home, if I live across the street from someone who can't afford a roof repair or who parks a junker in the street? If people don't have enough money for health insurance and go broke and abandon their properties, then what? If more and more kids come to school without enough to eat or without enough support at home to handle homework, what will happen to the education of the rest of the people? How will teachers be able to cope with the average, non-trouble-making kid, when the class is oversubscribed with children who can't cope with poverty at home.
Truly, I don't know what the answer is and how the economy will be resolved, or if it ever will, but the more people who can't make enough to have a decent life, the more everyone will suffer.
Well said. The vitriol you describe is the divide and conquer tactics always used when public workers go on strike. What is also missed by most of the media is the irony of people saying because times are tough and I am taking a hit then all of those "greedy" SEPTA workers with good jobs and wages who "sit on their behinds doing nothing all day" should be fired and their jobs should be given to people like me. Like that means anything but an endorsement of the race to the bottom.— union guy- Thanx you for saying what needed to be said, Jane. Why working people are so eager to participate in this race to the bottom, I don't know. Perhaps it's time we started teaching labor history in the schools so people would understand the connection between wages/benefits, collective bargaining and the rise (and maintenance) of the American (and European) middle class. I wish the folks in your editorial dept didn't have such a "buck up and take it like a man" attitude. We all know the media has taken its licks lately. I'd expect a little more understanding from those who have been down and kicked repeatedly.— babs111
- I've had very mixed feelings about the strike and the union since it happened. My parents are both union...I have a generally pro-union attitude and agree that much of the anger was based on jealousy. That being said, I think there are things that makes this different...namely how awful SEPTA's service is. The idea of union help to me is a two sided coin...good labor for livable wages. Are SEPTA employees really living up to their end? I don't want to hear excuses or how hard their jobs are....they're in a customer service position, and the ones who serve the customers are the exceptions. To be sure, I blame SEPTA management for their part in how terrible this service is, but I find it difficult to sympathize with employees who routinely seem to do the least they can.— Contract Aaron
- Replace the strikers. Union thugs!— Could.It.Really.Be...ColonelAngus
- This isn't about a race to the bottom. Most people working don't have a pension, guaranteed raises (even when you do your job horribly), the same contribution for health benefits . . . I feel no sympathy whatsoever for these union workers. 1 out of 10 people can't even find a job right now -- be happy you have one!— charlie1978
- The issue is not generally a racial one; many/most of those impacted last week were Black. It was rightfully viewed as greed because those of us in private sector jobs have largely foregone raises this year, if not taken a pay cut. Also, most of our increases are merit-based as opposed to being given a raise on a seniority basis without regard to competence.
- One more comment: I really understand Contract Aaron's point about workers' behavior on the job. A week or so ago, I bought a 10-pack of tokens at Broad and Olney. The clerk didn't say thank you. I said thank you when she handed the package to me. There should have been two thank-you's in that transaction. Given what riders went through, it is so important now for these workers to go the extra mile in being super-duper nice to the riding public. I get that many of their customers would try the patience of a saint! Unfortunately, that's part of the job and everyone knows that going in. I happen to think that being nice in this situation is the only way to survive psychologically. If these workers want to help those facing contract disputes, being nice and saying thank you for your patience would go a long way. It was the same situation when workers at Acme came close to striking. For a day or two, cashiers at my local store said thanks. But courtesy should be everyday! Moral of the story: Be nice! P.S. If any of you ride public transit and know a nice driver, etc. let me know.— Jane Von Bergen
- Nice way to frame the discussion Jane. To all of the SEPTA riders it seems like they are just wining for better pay without any thought to customer service or doing their jobs better. That may be but its not the only issue here. The overall decline in wages and benefits for everyone in the middle class in all positions is at stake here. The middle class really is in danger of being in complete poverty in this country. A paycheck should not be a reward for doing a good job - that is whats expected. Employees should have something to work towards - moving up, bonuses, something to help them value their careers. I think some of the bad service on SEPTA can be attributed to people thinking they just make minimum or low wage which equals low service. SEPTA should really look at creating standards that all employees should be exhibiting on the job for employment.— asmeezy
Every day for 60 days, Inquirer staff writer Jane M. Von Bergen profiled someone from the ranks of the region’s unemployed.
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Cold winter for the jobless
- Ranks of long-term jobless are growing.
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How a printing plant failed
- Big gambles and bad decisions, oil prices and credit crises, even a New Zealand tycoon: All played a role in Downingtown.
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