The Big Lie of Austerity--and How Transit Workers are Fighting Back

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Labor Notes / By Tim Schermerhorn

The Big Lie of Austerity--and How Transit Workers are Fighting Back
As politicians demand cuts, New York's transit workers union pushes back on the austerity narrative and calls for better treatment for all working people.

February 12, 2012 |


Like public sector workers everywhere, New York City’s transit workers face a withering attack on our compensation and our collective organization.

As contract talks continue between Transport Workers Union Local 100 and the Metropolitan Transit Authority, small pay raises in the fourth and fifth years of a proposed deal are tossed about in the press.

But between giant health care cost increases, full-time job cuts, and workplace destabilization, transit workers would go backwards.

The contract, covering 35,000 subway and bus workers, expired January 15. Union negotiators, led by Local 100 President John Samuelsen, have vowed not to accept takeaways. ..............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.alternet.org/story/154111/the_big_lie_of_austerity--and_how_transit_workers_are_fighting_back/