A Trinidadian who is head of the Transit Workers Union (TWU) is the centre of attention as talks of a strike threaten to close down New York City. Roger Toussaint, President of TWU Local 100, said his workers would go on strike from midnight tonight (when the current contract expires) unless they get a decent contract from the city. If there is a strike, the lives of everyone, including thousands of Guyanese, will be disrupted over the holiday season.
Media commentators say no union has received as much coverage as the TWU and no impending action by employees in the country has received as much attention as the New York City transit workers. New York City transit is the largest in the nation. The TWU is also the most militant labour union in any city in the US.
Toussaint just two days ago on national television told the mayor to shut up when he threatened consequences if there were a strike. He became president of the union which has some 34,000 members two years ago, when his militant slate swept the polls. Toussaint was dismissed from his job because of his militancy and after several years of court appeals, without much help from the union, he won his case for wrongful dismissal and was reinstated. Angered at the management of the union, he organized a slate to contest the elections for union management and won.
The city and the union have been in labour negotiations over the last week to avert a strike but have been unable to narrow their differences. The talks are reported to be very volatile with both sides far apart and engaging in sabre rattling.
The union initially demanded a 24% wage increase and greater safety measures because two workers had been run over by trains over the last month. While Toussaint has lowered his demand to 18% over three years, he is not letting up on safety, accusing the city of showing little concern for the lives of workers on the electrified tracks.
The workers complain of second-class treatment, noting that they earn less than workers in nearby transit systems even though their jobs are harder and more dangerous. Workers also say it is demeaning when management does check-ups on them when they take a sick day they are entitled to.
The city has offered nothing to the workers, although the union has complained that the police, firefighters and teachers were given double-digit raises over three years. The city has indicated that it wants concessions on pensions and health coverage that the union alleges will cost workers more than $1000 annually. The city claims the transit system has lost $2.7 billion this year and needs concessions from workers to balance the books. But Toussaint questioned the figure on the grounds that two months ago the city boasted it ran a profit for last year. The city plans to raise fares by 33% next year.
The city has threatened arrest and heavy fines - $1 million for the union and $25,000 a day for each worker as well as the arrest of the union officers and an end to union check-off.
If there is a strike, the city says it will lose nearly $100 million a day. In addition, businesses will have to close down because the bulk of the labour force depends on mass transit to commute to work. Over seven million ride the trains and buses daily for $1.50 a ride that allows a free transfer within two hours of payment. Almost all Caribbean nationals including Trinidadians depend on mass transit for travel.
The transit authority struck twice before in 1966 and in 1980 when workers defied state law, fines and jail sentences and shut down the system.
Although a strike looms, it is unlikely that workers will walk out on Sunday evening. The city has received a preliminary injunction barring the workers from taking any job action.