MTA Transit Union workers threaten to walk off the job on Friday, should the MTA not agree to the Transit Worker’s Unions demands for a renewed contract of more money and better benefits. With out public transportation, the city would not exist and so the TWU believes a threat of strike, has the city by the balls. Of course a full strike of public transportation in NYC is illegal and could result in fines and/or jail time for those that participate.
The average person not living in New York might think, well if they are threatening there must be something wrong with the way they are treated right? Give them what they need and then what’s the issue you think? Unions are good for the American workforce right? They look out for the welfare and well being of the employees that are employed under these unions. Of course they do! But this isn’t the 1920s any more and we now have laws that intend to prevent the same malpractice and injustices seen in the labor force in the early 20th century.
My opinion is FIRE every single one of them. Kill the TWU and start up a new workforce under non-union labor conditions where the MTA is run more like a private sector company than a subsidized public utility. The average MTA worker is under educated (or not at all), lazy, rude, and has a nonchalant attitude toward customer service.
Here’s what the build up is all about: The city of New York is over 9 million strong in population, and on average 7,711,945 people on a weekday are moved around the city by fleet of almost 5,000 buses and more than 8,250 subway and rail cars (ABC News). There are over 60,000 employees that work for the MTA, and about half that (33,000 – those members of the TWU) are threatening a strike on Friday. The dispute is over money, plain and simple. Not benefits because they already get exceptional benefits (see below). The Union claims the MTA has a surplus of over $1 Billion USD this year in their budget and claims that some of this surplus should be funneled back into the workforce in the form of pay raises. The workforce contract is up on Friday December 16th and a new contract for the employees has not been agreed upon.
The original asking raise for the transit employees was 10% raise, year-over-year, for the next 3 years… a 30% raise! They came down to that figure to a “comfortable” 8% raise request, year-over-year for 3-years. This is still a 24% raise increase in three years. Oh and this is what we get with that extra money???
To put this into perspective. The average MTA worker makes between $55,000 and $68,000 USD a year (based on my research numbers and links below). With a 24% raise in three years they will be making $68,200 to $84,320 USD a year with full benifits and retirement after 20 years of service. They already make more than the average NYC teacher, EMT, and registered nurse a group of people who must go through years of education and hardwork that benefit the welfare and minds of the people of New York. With the raise, a subway car janitor will be making more than the average New Yorker!
Again… they should all be fired!
Here’s what the MTA already pays:
The starting salary of the current MTA Police officer is $33,000 USD and after 5 years they could be making $68,000 USD. That is a 20% year over year raise. Addition to that, they get optional retirement at half-salary after 20 years, unlimited sick leave with pay, comprehensive medical, dental and vision coverage, and they only work 4 ten hour shifts a week. (MTA Police Department listing)
The following are other salaries for MTA employees with the same benefit packages listed above:
Transportation manager salary is $57,200 – $90,400 USD (Link)
Human Resources – $61,300 – $96,900 USD Link)
Engineers/Architects/Construction Managers – $74,000 -$117,000 USD (Link)
Marketing/Customer Service/Public Relations Positions Public Relations – $61,300 – $96,900 USD Link)
More info on the MTA Employment site (Link)
For comparison the average New York City Teacher with a Bachelor’s Degree + 30 Credits and 5 year experience makes $42,549. ( NYC Teacher Salary Calculator) The typical annual raise for teachers is 4% and this is based on merit, experience, education level, credits and hard work. A raise is not a guarantee, nor is it based on contract like the MTA workers are.
An average job is an Accountant I, and in New York, NY, the average salary for that job would be $47,054 (From Salary.com)