Posted on 07/01/2012 2:00:04 PM PDT by Kaslin
Remember when New York City's unionized sanitation workers refused to work during the middle of a deadly blizzard in 2010? All because they were protesting the budget?
Selfish Sanitation Department bosses from the snow-slammed outer boroughs ordered their drivers to snarl the blizzard cleanup to protest budget cuts -- a disastrous move that turned streets into a minefield for emergency-services vehicles, The Post has learned.
Miles of roads stretching from as north as Whitestone, Queens, to the south shore of Staten Island still remained treacherously unplowed last night because of the shameless job action, several sources and a city lawmaker said, which was over a raft of demotions, attrition and budget cuts.
"They sent a message to the rest of the city that these particular labor issues are more important," said City Councilman Dan Halloran (R-Queens), who was visited yesterday by a group of guilt-ridden sanitation workers who confessed the shameless plot.
Remember when that protest resulted in the death of a new born baby who could not be reached by an ambulance because workers refused to clear the streets?
A blizzard baby delivered inside the lobby of a snowbound Brooklyn building died after an emergency call of a woman in labor brought no help for nine excruciating hours.
The baby's mother, a 22-year-old college senior, was recovering Tuesday night at Interfaith Medical Center, where her newborn was pronounced dead at 6:34 p.m. on Monday. That was 10 hours after the first 911 call from the bloody vestibule on Brooklyn Ave. in Crown Heights.
"No one could get to her. Crown Heights was not plowed and no medical aid came for hours," said the student's mother.
Well now, unionized utility workers are going on strike....in the middle of a heat wave.
Negotiations stopped just before 2 a.m. Sunday, a couple of hours after the existing contract expired. The impasse came as New York braced for more high temperatures that will increase demand for air conditioning among the utility's 3.2 million customers.
On Sunday morning, police set up barricades in front of Con Ed's headquarters near Manhattan's Union Square. Only two workers stood there, but they said more were expected as they awaken and learn about the lockout.
"This is crazy! There's a heat wave," said David Palomino, a facility mechanic who rushed to headquarters after finishing his early shift to find out what was coming next.
The good news:
The 8,500 unionized workers told the company they'd be willing to work without a contract to keep the power company running, said John Melia, spokesman for Local 1-2 of the Utility Workers of America.
"We did everything to avert this action," he said. "We recognize that New York City is sweltering right now. ... We recognize we have a responsibility to the people of New York City and Westchester County," the suburban county north of the city.
Um, they are not on strike. The company locked them out.
Obama really needs to say something to these unions as we the tax payers dumped billions into union jobs. I think he could do a lot by saying in public, that this is a national emergency and if you dont get back to work, you will be replaced
Obama really needs to say something to these unions as we the tax payers dumped billions into union jobs. I think he could do a lot by saying in public, that this is a national emergency and if you dont get back to work, you will be replaced
Don't hold your breath. A Ronald Reagan he ain't.
No contract no work ... the union failed its members
I'm sure the help wanted ads will be well recieved
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Why don't you read the story before you comment...
The Union was locked out...NOT allowed to work...The Union even offered to work for free...
No contract no work ... the union failed its members
Obviously the Union did not refuse negotiation since they were locked out...
The 8,500 unionized workers told the company they'd be willing to work without a contract to keep the power company running, said John Melia, spokesman for Local 1-2 of the Utility Workers of America.
You guys are sounding like Democrats with this kind of reporting...
I agree...Fire those responsible for not allowing the Union to work...
Ya, got a little ahead of myself there...
Con Ed was worried about a sudden strike that would cripple its system.
“Con Ed said it had wanted a two-week extension of the current contract while negotiations continued, with assurance that the union would not strike without notice. The company said it offered such an extension, signing an agreement to that effect, but that the union didn’t sign it. Con Ed said if the union agreed to the extension, employees would be welcomed back.”
to paraphrase a Texas congress critter........ let the yankees cook, in the dark!
Um, they are not on strike. The company locked them out.
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There is no love lost between me and the Unions, but you are correct phoneman08, they did not strike, the company did, in fact, lock them out. See this Post here on FR:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2901736/posts
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“Um, they are not on strike. The company locked them out.”
21 posts before someone was wise enough to point this out….
I daresay many posters here wouldn’t comprehend the distinction, in any case.
Thank you I really needed a laugh tonight
The union refused a formal extension agreement which would have allowed, for 2 weeks, negotiations to continue with the union guarantee of no surprise walk out.
The workers will not be paid for their time even though the utility locked them out because there is no contract in place. It is incumbent on the union leaders to see their workers get paid. Failure to do so will generate much resentment within union rank and file.
If the union said they would continue negotiations then signing a simple 2 week guarantee to not stage a walk out is a no brainer. Once again union leadership shows it’s stupidity.
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