As you've no doubt heard by now, the SEPTA strike came to an end in the middle of the night.
Here's what we're curious about: This strike lasted six days. There was a lot of back-and-forth between the two sides, including several false alarms of settlements, proclamations that the union was rejecting excellent offers given economic circumstances, a request by the union for binding arbitration (declined by SEPTA) and for a forensic audit of its pension fund, to ensure its health.
As you followed these events, did your opinion -- over who was at fault or what would constitute a reasonable offer -- ever change? Was it persuasive, for instance, when union prez Willie Brown claimed that his members deserve a good contract because this is a good financial time for mass transit? Or when SEPTA attributed the 52 percent funding level of the TWU's pension fund to the stock market crash?
Tell us in comments.
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Posted by Doron Taussig @ 11:45 AM
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12 comments
I feel that both parties were at fault. Septa for not negotiating with the TWU between the end of the contract in March and the day of the strike. I fault the TWU for not accepting the deal that was offered at an economic time when no one has any guarantees on how healthcare or other costs may change and whether they will have jobs or healthcare coverage.
The main point I was behind the TWU for was the demand for an independent auditor to look over the pension books. I believe that if the payments and the books are being properly, then there is no reason why the TWU could not have the results of an independent audit. I also feel that they should receive a report on the Pension Plan books every 5 years.
I am very happy the strike has been settled.
Are you kidding me? I am a LIFETIME Democrat- as "D" as they come- which is neither here nor there, except to say that I think that the rank and file of the TWU should summarily fire their President. This strike was a nightmare and it did absolutely nothing for the TWU except make them look bad. In an economy where most people are paying $50-$300 a PAY for healthcare benefits, these guys are bellyaching that they are being asked to pay at all???? In an economy where NO ONE I KNOW got raises and we are all just happy to still be employed- these guys were grandstanding for 4% increases a year? EVERY year for the next FIVE years???? Seriously?? As for the pension situation, I'll answer your question with a question...how many people do you know who have lost their employer match altogether or had the employer contribution seriously reduced? Because frankly, I know A LOT of people in this position (including myself). Wille Brown might be right that he is pretty hated at the moment, but I have to say... I think it is entirely appropriate and much deserved. Unions are supposed to fight the GOOD fight. This was many things, but a "Good Fight" it wasn't.
agreed with CAB. septa's TWU gets no sympathy for me. i think septa should start to consider a new training program for replacements and fire them all once this contract expires. pensions? please. they are so 1975!
The strike came at a bad time but it was enough to raise the eyebrows of the true thinkers in this whole situation. I have to applaud Wille Brown for standing up to Nutter who still needs to clean his own back yard where his City workers are concerned.I am VERY concerned about the SEPTA side not wanting to hire a private auditor to see if the books are truly cooked.Our Pension Plan (where I work) took a serious hit with the ressesion as well but we are are in way better shape than 52% funded ( 79%). And why are the Managers pensions still funded well above what normal pensions that took the ressesion hit are funded at? These guys are funded at 90%. And where the Hell did Rendell get 7 million dollars? Uh....Ed? What about the State Workers crisis? Hey...Im a rider and I had to do what I had to do. Im not upset with TWU or SEPTA. Im concerned about the future of Transportation and hope we can come together and agree to disagree without hurting the people that make this work. Striking hurts everybody but somtimes it must be done.
I will tell you what swayed me. Doron Taussig uses this forum to express opinion, not facts. lines like : "proclamations that the union was rejecting excellent offers given economic circumstances, "
Aren't you in a Union Doron Taussig? What is your contract like?
People need to ask themselves WHY there are no raises, and WHY they pay so much for healthcare. It's because you are all individules and you have no choice but to take it from THE MAN. Is it right for workers in any industry to be treated like a moving part in a machine? Bottom line, to get anything, you've gotta fight for it. People who call unions and their members thugs are either business owners who despise giving any worker their fair due, or you are just angry and jealous that someone else got something that you want, but can't get because the boss just won't give it to you. Why will he? This site is loaded with complainers saying how good and loyal a worker they are and still got no raise etc. Guess what, you're not gonna ever get a raise. $50,000.00 doesn't buy what $25,000.00 did a generation ago. Instead of whining over what the TWU got, figure out what YOU have to do to better your situation and get that raise. Businesses will use this ecnonmy TO DEATH to justify not treating their workers fairly. SEPTA tried to even though they are more liquid than ever. And so will your boss if you let them. Research "The Battle Of The Overpass" and see just how nice corporate America is to it's workers. Any time someone on these sites says dispariging things about the TWU and unions, saying things like "who do they think they are seeking raises in this economy" if you are a common worker saying these things, the fat cat boss you work for is smiling and loving everything you say because he knows that he has you right where he wants you. Is that what you want for your kids and grandkids? Think about that.
Huzzy, you're so lost I don't know where to begin. But at least I know the union PR machine is alive and well. I'm proud to stand on my own two feet, especially in this economy. I don't need to threaten a "strike" to get my demands. I get what I want at work because I have earned it.
"CAB19129 Are you kidding me? I am a LIFETIME Democrat- as "D" as they come- which is neither here nor there, except to say that I think that the rank and file of the TWU should summarily fire their President. This strike was a nightmare and it did absolutely nothing for the TWU except make them look bad. In an economy where most people are paying $50-$300 a PAY for healthcare benefits, these guys are bellyaching that they are being asked to pay at all???? In an economy where NO ONE I KNOW got raises and we are all just happy to still be employed- these guys were grandstanding for 4% increases a year? EVERY year for the next FIVE years???? Seriously?? As for the pension situation, I'll answer your question with a question...how many people do you know who have lost their employer match altogether or had the employer contribution seriously reduced? Because frankly, I know A LOT of people in this position (including myself). Wille Brown might be right that he is pretty hated at the moment, but I have to say... I think it is entirely appropriate and much deserved. Unions are supposed to fight the GOOD fight. This was many things, but a "Good Fight" it wasn't." And how many executives got severe pay cuts or are paying for any of their insurance in this economy?? The unions are supposed to be the vanguard of challenging the status quo and that is what they did. You are a TRAITOR to the working man if you are suggesting they asked for too much. NO ONE should be paying for health insurance. Survival should be a RIGHT not a privelege, people. If you're really a Democrat (sounds like you are a bluedog democrat to me), step back and get some gdmn perspective!!!!
Huzzy with the comment of the day!!
This was a case of posturing on the part of Willie Brown. He wanted to show his union membership that he was tough. Really, I don't think the TWU received anything that they did not have before the strike was called. The leadership of the TWU was just inconveniencing the city to show that they were tough guys. I think WIllie Brown should be run out of town.
I am not swayed by the argument that an organized, legally recognized labor union should have its members locked up, their wages confiscated, their leaders silenced because the transit riders who depend on them no longer have access to the service due to a job action. I do not believe that the real economic and other harm that befalls the ridership is the personal responsibility of any of the membership or it elected leadership. The only people personally responsible for getting to work are the people who ride the buses and trains. Other regions are building and extending what we already have. Even LA, car capital of the world. People got around there for decades with the auto. If there is another strike, I suggest the riding public make plans now. Think of it as planning what to do if your house catches fire, or if you get divorced or your company no longer wants you and you are downsized. The workers should get as much as the can because the world has rich well paid agents whose job is to make sure they get next to nothing, or at least enough to show up for work in a productive capacity until they can be replaced.
Huzzy. LOL. Good workers get more, pure and simple, because they bring more to the table. Under unions, the good workers get no more reward, thus everyone degenerates to the common denominator. There is absolutely no reason to work hard, you can't get fired and you won't make any more if you do. That's why unionized busiensses failed in this country. The only industry with unions now are gov't. How many people think gov't is well run, effecient? Union workers always blame management, but look around, all business with unions eventually fail. It's because the work force runs the company and they lack the skill and ability to do so.
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