When NYC shut down this week due to the transit strike, there was a lot of namecalling and blame placed upon the TWU (transit worker's union) for daring to strike during the holidays, holding out for more money than they deserved and daring to strike at all.

Mayor Bloomberg went as far as to call the TWU and its leaders *thugs* to further label a group of people fighting for their rights to better pay/benefits and the rights of future hires to those same benefits. The media reported all the things the union wanted, with special emphasis on what many Americans would consider more than enough. $50K? Yes, in most areas of America this is plenty to live on, but it isn't here in the city. Raising a family on it is a small advantage over the poverty level. Someone has to work the subways/buses and those someones have families to raise.

By this coverage, the TWU suffered a huge hit to their image, but hardly anyone reported that two years ago, the MTA (metropolitan transit) kept TWO SETS OF BOOKS!! and cried poor to the people in order to raise the rates. Recently (about two months ago) it was found to have a BILLION dollar surplus. This is city organization that gets grants from the state and city to rebuild the subways. If anyone was a *thug*, it would be the robber-barons of the MTA earning a profit off the commuters, money from the government to rebuild and trying to withdraw money from its workers. It should also be noted that the MTA did not show up to the bargaining table until one hour before the contract expired.

This fascinating blog takes Bloomberg to task for his unlawful practices while making his fortune.

"Bloomberg is a total hypocrite

It's ironic to hear the mayor, for one, bleating about the rule of law and how "no negotiations should proceed until this illegal, selfish strike ends." This is the same law-abiding civic leader who bragged in "Bloomberg on Bloomberg" (p. 59-60) that breaking the law was just part of his inspired path to riches.- The New York City Transit Strike: It's About Respect...and Solidarity by Michael Hirsch..."

http://representativepress.blogspot.com/2005/12/bloomberg-is...