I don't have a problem with labor unions going to bat for the next generation of workers -- that's what unions do.

I don't have a problem with that in principle-- though they should always put the welfare of the current union members over people who don't exist. But it's a free labor market. Future employees have free will-- if the MTA is not competitive, they will have trouble hiring people. Future hires may have a serious problem with pension obligations meaning that the MTA can't hire them in the first place, let alone what happens to them after 25 years there.

Timelies,

Skipped 700 posts.

I had my annual work physical this morning, which meant fasting for 12 hours before hand. Not being able to eat or get caffeine in my system first thing in the morning is unpleasant.

Speaking of unpleasant, I hope the strike ends quickly for the NYers. I can't imagine dealing with that kind of a mess to commute.

Speaking of commutes (just to keep the stream of consciousness going), any Chicagoistas want to weigh in on my planning here? Coming from the WI border, I need to be in the north side by 8am tomorrow morning, which mapquest tells me will take just over an hour. Taking into account rush hour traffic, does leaving at 6am sound reasonible, or am I over-compensating for the traffic?

Future employees have free will-- if the MTA is not competitive, they will have trouble hiring people.

Isn't that the argument they always make for abolishing the minimum wage?

Future hires may have a serious problem with pension obligations meaning that the MTA can't hire them in the first place, let alone what happens to them after 25 years there.

That's not a small problem, though.

Coming from the WI border, I need to be in the north side by 8am tomorrow morning, which mapquest tells me will take just over an hour. Taking into account rush hour traffic, does leaving at 6am sound reasonible, or am I over-compensating for the traffic?

In the north side where? That's more than enough time for the highway part, but how far you have to go from the highway can make a difference.

Unfortunate product label: [link]

If anyone was sending packages via UPS that may have transited through Idaho, check your tracking numbers. A UPS truck caught fire here in Utah. It was one of those two-trailer jobbies, and fortunately it was only the trailer with the Christmas packages that got scorched because the other trailer was carrying hazardous materials.

The TWU is being offered not much better a contract with the surplus than they were with the defecit. I can see the pissy.

Also, the MTA is being (no shock) weasely. They need to go to the state labor board to change the retirement parameters, doing it with the contract is back-handed.

I lucked out on my commute this morning, but I don't know how I'm getting home or what will happen tomorrow. But the teachers just went three years without a contract, I can't blame the TWU for thinking the city won't negotiate in good faith without being leaned on.

A UPS truck caught fire here in Utah. It was one of those two-trailer jobbies, and fortunately it was only the trailer with the Christmas packages that got scorched because the other trailer was carrying hazardous materials.

A strange, green-furred creature was spotted leaving the scene....

Do we have any Irish speakers here?

If anyone was sending packages via UPS that may have transited through Idaho, check your tracking numbers.

DON'T SAY THAT . I have books somewhere between Portland and Alabama and I have no idea WHERE between those two states.

Well it is not true that current members have no problems:

[link]

Also it is very much in the interest of current members not to have a two tier system. Cause that can be used to weaken their pay and benefits in the future.

Lastly as to pay and benefits being good, yeah compared to the average because wages and benefits for most Americans have been weakened. Essentially most people no longer get much in the way of raises, and have benefits lowered. Frankly I would like to see that reversed; and that means when someone is in a position to fight back and not put up with take backs I'm for it. The "be grateful for what you have" argument is used against just about any strike. There is almost always someone worse off than the strikers out there. I will note that argument is never used as an argument for management making cuts on their end , or in profit earning businesses for owners to take a hit to profits. I guess it is only wage earners who are supposed to be happy not be a street person. "Greed is good" is reserved for owners.

Not the same situation here, but a similar one - rememver the one billion dollars is not a planned surplus; it is one billion over what is projected. Asking that it be used to avoid benefit cuts is not unreasonable.