Base10 is on his way to work as he writes this. He is riding the New York City subway system, now completely operational after the strike.

Base10 has some final thoughts on his experience commuting during the strike. Base10 successfully navigated the streets of Queens and Brooklyn to get to work and return home again. Good rides, and I made the trips in less than an hour. Hey, the old guy can still ride! Base10 feels pretty good about it and is very glad he quit smoking. While he may have wheezed and puffed over the bridge, he did make it, and that's the most important part. I think this may be just the thing to jumpstart my fitness program.

About the strike itself, I really get a kick out of the free-market types condemning the strikers. Base10 has mixed feelings about the strike but is sympathetic to TWU's rank and file. Base10's union has to wait three years on a contract (and is still waiting) so maybe this will send a message that business can not continue as usual in delaying contracts. Anyway, if you are a free-market type, why can't labor limit their supply? Why isn't the Taylor law a needless regulation on the free market for the supply of labor? Nobody ever argues this point.

Please note that Base10 is generally anti-union. The exception he makes is for municipal unions who often cannot resort to traditional labor practices like strikes, picketing or slowdowns to get more money or benefits. The argument that since the teachers and police have to wait three years for a contract, that's okay for the transit workers too. That's missing the point. Nobody should have to wait three years. Base10 supports some form of Taylor Law that prevents essential municipal employees from striking, but it should also contain provisions that the municipality involved suffer some consequences for dilatory tactics.

One last thing. The TWU executive baoard expects a contract this week. If the negotiations continue to stall, we could have another walk-out in time for New Year's Day.

- posted by Base10 @ 11:33 AM