No one likes a strike...Employer, or employees...
The employees obviously feel the issues disputed are worth losing their jobs over...And the media rarely informs the public what labor issues are really at stake...
What we know is the employer wants concessions...In my view, if the economy is doing as well as Bush says it is (which I don't believe for a minute), I don't see any reason for any concessions to the employees...
A lot of silliness in one sentence.
Let's unpack it:
What we know is the employer wants concessions...
No, the employer wants minor adjustments in timing of costs and the union wants major concessions from the employer, including a 25% wage hike over 3 years, full pension at age 50 instead of the current 55 and expanded health benefits with zero contributions from employees.
In my view, if the economy is doing as well as Bush says it is
It's not what Bush says that matters - it's the hard economic facts. Our economy is growing rapidly, the dollar is strengthening and the average median income US household now has a net worth in excess of $100,000.
Ah, I see. You're in the "Bush lied!" camp. What's your next brilliant comment? "No blood for oil!"? How about "Workers of the world unite!"?
I don't see any reason for any concessions to the employees...
Nor do I, but I assume you meant "employers."
The fact is that as people live longer and more complex treatments become available, healthcare becomes more expensive and pension benefits become more expensive.
Most Americans, not being lazy handout-seeking bastards, realize that they need to contribute toward their own health and their own retirement.
No matter how good the economy becomes, healthcare and pension benefits still cost real money and someone has to pay for them.
Why should the subway rider, who is paying for his own benefits and pension pick up the full tab for these transit scrubs?