Midnight Mike
2005-12-20, 08:29 AM
NYC Transit System Shuts Down As TWU Workers Walk Off Jobs
Millions of commuters are facing their worst nightmare this morning as a massive transit strike brings New York City's transit system to a halt, threatening businesses and stifling movement across the five boroughs.
Transit workers began walking off the job at 3 a.m. following a vote of the union's executive board, hours after union leaders rejected the MTA's final contract offer at the end of a contentious bargaining session.
City officials say the work stoppage, the city's first transit strike since 1980, will have a massive and debilitating effect on the city, thwarting millions of commuters and countless tourists on the cusp of the holiday season.
"Our contract expired on Thursday at midnight, but we postponed a strike in deference to our riders," said TWU Local 100 President Roger Toussaint in announcing the strike shortly before 3 a.m. "All local TWU members are now directed to report to the picket lines."
http://www.ny1.com/index.jsp
Millions of commuters are facing their worst nightmare this morning as a massive transit strike brings New York City's transit system to a halt, threatening businesses and stifling movement across the five boroughs.
Transit workers began walking off the job at 3 a.m. following a vote of the union's executive board, hours after union leaders rejected the MTA's final contract offer at the end of a contentious bargaining session.
City officials say the work stoppage, the city's first transit strike since 1980, will have a massive and debilitating effect on the city, thwarting millions of commuters and countless tourists on the cusp of the holiday season.
"Our contract expired on Thursday at midnight, but we postponed a strike in deference to our riders," said TWU Local 100 President Roger Toussaint in announcing the strike shortly before 3 a.m. "All local TWU members are now directed to report to the picket lines."
http://www.ny1.com/index.jsp