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Does the union seriously expect to gain any sympathy? This was a rotten, sneaky, middle-of-the-night trick, and the people they are hurting the most are those who are already barely making it. Declare an emergency, order them back to work, and fire anyone who stays out. They were offered bonuses and an 11.5% raise over 5 years--in this economy, a guaranteed 2% raise is better than most people get. Give them a dose of reality.
I think Septa is a disgrace and should be penalized for what they did to the commuters this morning.
I ride each and every day. The buses are either late, stuffed so full they drive by you or are non-existent. The drivers and tolls takers have attitudes, as if we owe THEM something more than their average $55,000 a year salary. They are fortunate to have jobs and to turn down the offer they received (which was more than generous)is a slap in the face. Do they realize how many people are out of work or holding on by a thread? And how many of them rely on Septa? Or should I say, held hostage?
From now on, I will walk the 2 miles to work each day and 2 miles home. I refuse to give them my money or to rely on them.
Come on Philadelphia! Car pool, bike it or walk it-but don't give it to Septa.
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I don't know the issues... I know that I HATE THIS UNION! Strike if you must, but don't expect an ounce of sympathy from me if you decide to call a strike at 3 am. Now, I'm the biggest fan of Septa management that will ever live. FIRE THEM ALL NOW!!!!
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NE, you can't declare an emergency to order them back to work, but Septa can fire them by declaring the negotiations over, when it then becomes an at-will employment arrangement. There's no contract. Septa can hire and fire at will, and has in the past been reluctant to do that, but I think it's finally time. Fire at-will!
I didn't see it in this article, but saw it reported on CNN.com and in the AP that the AVERAGE of what a Septa employee makes is $52,000! The average! That's not a high, that's just the average. Septa really needs to have more contractors and fewer union employees. It's gone too far.
Do we remember how Ronald Reagan handled the air traffic controllers? A back-to-work deadline. Or a pink slip. Hire new people. The training would be tough, but all the current staff started as rookies.
A couple of things:
1. You cannot fire workers simply because they go on strike.
2. "I will walk the 2 miles to work each day and 2 miles home. I refuse to give them my money or to rely on them." Good for you. Tow miles is not a long walk. I do it every day.
3. Remeber the t-shirts from a strike in the 80s? "Walk Run Bike Skate F#$K SEPTA" Good advice.
Here's what the AP is reporting: "Union workers, who earn an average $52,000 a year, are seeking an annual 4 percent wage hike and want to keep the current 1 percent contribution they make toward the cost of their health care coverage.
Maloney said SEPTA was offering an 11.5 percent wage increase over 5 years, with no raise in the first year, and increases in workers' pensions," from http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iOVDbR-4B-StiHNA5-peg2p1jSdAD9BO07V01
It's about time people stop sympathizing with nonsense like this. SEPTA is a perfect example of how union cities like Philadelphia just let this stuff get wayyyyyy out of control. They're already decent, even WELL paid, we pay 99% of their health care costs, and SEPTA service sucks! We're already not getting much out of this little agreement and they still have the audacity to constantly ask for more, and not only that but they do it through crappy manipulative means like this. OF COURSE no one has any sympathy. In fact I'm actually happy about this response because hopefully we'll finally call them out on this outrageous behavior and hold them accountable to provide the level of service we're paying for already.
Septa didn't start negotiations before the March contract ended, so let's blame Septa as well. Rendell is at fault for not making the state money withheld if at anytime they walk away from negotiations not just the World Series game. He should now reiterate that the money will be withheld if they do not return to the table and stay there while the union workers go back to work again or no money and Septa get to outsource all the jobs.
our fearless leaders need to get get off there butts and give the union an ultimatum go back to work or get in the welfare line.declare an emergency the national gard can drive the busses until new people are hired and trained.
GREED RUNS THE CITY. Not fair for us little people.
Commuters were surprised? Really? Doesn't seem to surprising to me. At least they waited until the WS left town. Scum
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