Early Word Rants

I normally don't read The Early Word, but I clicked over to this post acting as a rant board for the SEPTA - TWU strike.

About what I expected. Ad hominem attacks on people others don't know and complaining. But that's what this sounding board is for, right Peter?

I wonder how many people have taken the time to go through and understand just a little bit of what the TWU is asking for. A sliding scale of healthcare payment like anon/10.24am said. Those at the bottom of the payscale are paying the same amount as those at the top. People are angry that the TWU wants a raise. Everyone should ge raises. The cost of living goes up every single day, every single week, every single month, every single year. Salaries and wages should increase accordingly. If not, we are all just plunging towards the poverty line or worse, further below it. The TWU members do not all get free healthcare as many are claiming. The newbies [those with under three years of service] have to pay 100% of their dental and a nice chunk of normal medical costs from what I read. They are not paid for the first few days of a sickness. In the few salaried jobs I've had, I have always been paid for sick days, granted, they do run out at some point, but I've had them. We all get sick.

SEPTA's clogging of their office with managers whose ratio to workers is reported to be 1:1 is rediculous.

I am fortunate enough to be healthy enough and have enough money to have a bike and be able to bike to work right now. It still sucks. But it pales in comparison to what so many other SEPTA riders have to go through right now as it gets colder and colder.

I've been living in Philly for under 1.5 years and I love it here. SEPTA has been pretty good to me. It's no dreamride, but when is any public transit a joyride? I grew up in the 'burbs of NYC and worked there for five years. I went to school in DC and took the Metro for all three. Both of those systems have their problems, just as SEPTA does. But I know a little more about this situation since I've been more and more involved in the local politics here.

I hate seeing strikes. It means that there was a breakdown in a dialogue. I'm frustrated at both sides here. From what I hear, this is what happens every year or few years. They let contracts expire instead of really hashing it out in between the quick fix patches here and there just prolonging the inevitable.

It's not like the TWU members want to strike. Who the hell would want to say goodbye to a paycheck? It must really be fucked up to do that. I know that I'm in no position to start picketing my workplace. It sucks that many members of the union did not want to strike, but the majority did, so, they are in turn screwed when they didn't want to be, but I think that's a part of joining an organization like a union. In the comments, one wife of a TWU mechanic said that there is no strike fund. The TWU workers are not making money right now. Sure, the union bosses [who are also fat and rich just like the SEPTA honchos] will probably hand out some money here and there to try to keep up morale and keep the strike going, but for how long.

I hope that both sides can come to an agreement. I'm not going to scream and yell, yet. I am fortunate to be able to hold back those yells and screams and not be effected too bad by this strike. But what do I say to a person I pass on the street who is walking sixty blocks to go to the hospital for cancer treatment or see a group of high schoolers walking thirty blocks to get their education? What do the strikers say to them? What does management say to them? Well, I honestly don't think they really give a shit.

In 1998, it went for forty days. Forty days from now will be the second week of December. Gas heating prices are said to be the highest they've ever been, LIHEAP is gutted and SEPTA fares could increase on top of the $412M Rendell diverted to SEPTA to keep it running for the next two years. This is gonna get ugly. Philly's self-deprecating and just plain hating will shine through in the coming days and weeks. I may get in on it soon too. But not yet.

Craigslist Philly Rideshare

Comments

[addie]

what a mess! i'm glad that i am fortunate enough to be able to get to work, albeit by alternate routes and biking. i can't imagine what all those people without alternatives are going to do.

[Jerome Gaskins]

Al, are you sure everyone pays the amount for healthcare in SEPTA? Don't they have different plans to choose from? If so, everyone who picks plan a should be paying the same price for it; what's wrong with that? A sliding scale doesn't make sense for people in the same plan; they should all pay the same amount. Remember, an employer is not obligated to pay for health care, and they're stepping away from picking up all of the tab for it now.

As for the sick time issue, it is the result of years of sick leave abuse. It's not good for morale, but Philly's not the most liberal town for labor relations. If you're up to it, check out the Evening Bulletin and Inquirer archives around the '60s and '70s.

The difference in pay scales for new hires is a fact of life for many employees now. It's not gonna change unless the nation straightens up and flies right.

I know I wouldn't like to have to deal with those conditions if I worked for SEPTA, but I don't know that I would strike in this economy. If they are counting on people not crossing the picket lines, they may be sorely mistaken, as jobs are tight all over. I have a friend in South Carolina who can't find a job, and she's in healthcare!

Ah well, such is life. If you don't already have one, I suggest that you hit I. Goldberg's down on Chestnut Street (between 8th & 11th) and get a full body jump suit, like the ones the highway maintenance folk wear, not only for the strike but the middle of winter too. I had one during school, and I couldn't wear anything else but a T-Shirt in the midst of several storms.

here's a link to the CitySearch review:

http://philadelphia.citysearch.com/profile/8959461#editorialreview

[Ajayi Harris]

Does this mean I can't take the Airport line when I fly back on Friday? Oh brother...what a pain