North America’s largest commuter rail system was shut down on Saturday after unionized workers in the New York City area went on strike.
The Long Island Rail Road that serves the city’s eastern suburbs ceased operations on early Saturday morning after five unions representing about half its workforce walked off the job
The unions have been in negotiations for three years. They’re demanding raises equal to what the Metropolitan Transit Authority had offered other unions and a better deal on employer contributions (I think to health care or insurance), plus raises this year.
They’re being offered one-time payouts instead.
No payout is worth it. They’re organizing for future union members, too.
Collective bargaining has generational effects.
Can you imagine how insulted some middle-manager at the MTA would be if you said, “Hmm, no. No meaningful raise, but I can give you this crumpled dollar bill and linty quarter I found in my pocket. Take it or leave it”