[IMC-Boston-Editorial] Would you be interested in running this op-ed on the Transit Workers Union strike?

[Chaka Uzondu]

A Strike Against Inequality

By Chaka A. K. Uzondu

When 33,000 workers go on strike anywhere in the U.S., we should stop and
take notice.  The decline of strong unions that fight for their workers is
but one reason why we are now the third most unequal industrialized nation
in the world.

When the striking workers are 70% Black, Latino, or Asian American, we have
good reason to believe that their standing up for workers¹ rights will be
(in the long run) good for all who are struggling to make ends meet.

According to Mayor Bloomberg, a billionaire, the workers were being selfish
because by choosing to strike they have hurt economic activity in NY.
Translation ­ profits of big businesses were hurt. Who is Bloomberg really
concerned about? Everyday New Yorkers?  No. How about the business
community?  Well, if we mean Mom and Pop stores or street vendors then not
exactly. But if we mean big corporate stores like Saks Fifth Ave or
Tiffany¹s, then you got it right.

There is no reason for anyone to believe that Bloomberg¹s primary concern is
for the average New Yorker. Between 1979 and 2004, there has been a 5% drop
in average hourly earnings (adjusted for inflation), while the profits of US
companies grew by 63%. Workers all over the United States have not shared in
the prosperity enjoyed by many businesses.

And inequality is growing in New York. According to the Center for Budget
and Policy Priorities, the average income of the richest fifth of families
in New York was more than 11 times the average income of the bottom fifth of
families. 

The strike has ended.

It inconvenienced 7,000,000 New Yorkers who were compelled to find other
ways to get to work. And some of those workers, those unable to get to work
or paid for reduced hours, have indeed suffered. As always, those who have
the least money suffer disproportionately in times of hardship. But major
businesses could have given their employees full pay for the days missed.
No law prevents this.

But a strange law ­ the Taylor law ­ made this strike ³illegal.² Is this law
designed to benefit everyday folks? Or is it designed to discipline and
control workers (full time, part time, temps, migrant, and the unemployed),
for the benefit of big business and pro-corporate government?

Despite Bloomberg¹s attempt to demonize the Transit Workers Union, many
working people understood what was going on, and supported the TWU. The
workers were striking for the type of pensions, wages, and benefits that we
all should have. Workers were striking against growing inequality, which
hurts us all. 
 
So when TWU leader Roger Toussaint characterized the strike as a
continuation of the civil rights movement, he needs to be taken seriously.
The Federal Reserve Board¹s 2004 Survey of Consumer Finances points out that
the average white family has a median net worth of $136,000, which dwarfs
the $20,000 held by Black families. Clearly, racial economic injustice
remains the order of the day.

Yet Bloomberg the billionaire attacked the strikers and their leaders
because they ³thuggishly turned their backs on New York City.² At a time
when the MTA has a billion dollar surplus, workers who strike are called
³thugs.² Even if the MTA is facing future challenges, why should workers pay
with reduced pensions and New Yorkers with fare hikes? Isn¹t Governor
Pataki¹s defunding of the MTA to help fund state tax cuts for the super rich
in the 1990¹s the real reason that the MTA may face future challenges?

Thank you, Roger Toussaint, for pointing out Mayor Bloomberg¹s cruel joke.
The billionaire mayor told workers that they were selfish for fighting not
only for themselves, but also for future workers.

Now that the strike is over, we should remember that when unions stand up
for ³fair wages, hard-earned benefits, respect and dignity,² as TWU defines
their goals, it is likely, in the long run, to be good for everyday folks
who don¹t get big tax breaks and don¹t own lots of stocks.

What we need in this country is many more strikes against tax cuts for the
super rich, against cuts to social spending, the growing wealth divide, and
against growing racial inequality.


Chaka A. K. Uzondu is an education coordinator at United for a Fair Economy.
Email Chaka at cuzondu at faireconomy.org.

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