Tuesday Links
Transit Union Walkout [NY Times] NY Slowly Losing Creative Set [NY Times] Spit and Polish: Lobby Reno Debate [NY Magazine] Review: Auster’s The Brooklyn Follies [Village Voice] Tax Credit for Energy Improvements [Bankrate] Profits Down for Ratner [Brooklyn Papers]
Transit Union Walkout [NY Times]
NY Slowly Losing Creative Set [NY Times]
Spit and Polish: Lobby Reno Debate [NY Magazine]
Review: Auster’s The Brooklyn Follies [Village Voice]
Tax Credit for Energy Improvements [Bankrate]
Profits Down for Ratner [Brooklyn Papers]
Retiring at 62/65 is a lot easier when you’re in an office reading Brownstoner. Their salaries and packages are not “exorbitant,” and surely nothing to dream about.
It’s easy to blame the TWU, but let’s not forget that Pataki has spent his entire time in office diverting much of the federal monies we receive upstate, and that the MTA has mismanaged everything else. I don’t enjoy walking an hour+ in the cold but the TWU didn’t make the situation. They’re playing the only hand that they have.
Anon. 11:37: interesting statistic re the 60.5 year life expectancy. Could you please cite your sources? (I’m also curious about the fume hazard evidence)
didn’t the settle the raise thing at around 3% per year? that’s basically cost of living. I don’t think most people dream of that. It’s okay is all.
The whole thing sucks. Thank goodness for remote access – no commute for me.
I agree with Anon 11:26. TWU workers are spoiled and far removed from reality. Frankly, I’ve never seen such an ungrateful group. Their generous salaries and benefits package are something most people dream about, but they take it for granted. And I’m sure that their life expectancy results from the fact that many of them are lazy and overweight.
11:26: not a huge TWU fan, but did you know avg life exp. for transit worker is 60. 5 years post retirement. There is some evidence it’s bcs of fumes, etc. A life in the subway or on a bus is not the healthiest.
I do agree Pataki is a moron.
I’m sorry, but I don’t have much sympathy for the TWU and their initial contract demands. 8 percent raises for each of 3 years?? Who gets that anymore? Retire at 55? Did transit workers choose the job because they could retire so young? Please…retire at 62 or 65 like everyone else. New hires to contribute 1% of their income to their health insurance? Nearly everyone contributes to their health plans and way more than 1%. Certainly I’m not on the side of the MTA…they are arrogant to say the least, not to mention the bad service, closing of token booths, and the list goes on and on…but let the TWU join the 21st century. The transit strike is illegal and potentially dangerous. As for the Governor, the MTA is a state agency, and he should be directly involved instead of standing by the sidelines proclaiming the penalties that the TWU faces by walking off the job. We already know about the Taylor law. The Governor should have been more proactive about the strike. Hopefully this mess will be resolved very soon.
since we’re handing out heaping piles of scorn today, let’s get pataki in the ring.
george pataki: what an asshat.
Definitely Manhattan bridge is better if going north of Canal Street. Very few people or bikers.