The Cellar - View Single Post

elSicomoro · 03-27-2001, 11:14 PM

About 2 weeks ago, I sent this letter to the TWU:

To whom it may concern:

I am writing your union in regards to a possible strike that could shut down the city division of SEPTA.

I realize that one of the main purposes of a union is to protect workers. However, I feel that a strike by Local 234 would actually hurt its members. If the local strikes, hundreds of thousands of lives in the city of Philadelphia and the suburbs (including mine) would be greatly disrupted. Some people may choose permanent alternatives to using SEPTA. If those people quit riding SEPTA, then SEPTA would lose money and would be forced to cut jobs and service. Along these lines, many may point the finger at the union for a strike. This may cause others to be wary of joining a union in the future.

I hope that your union and SEPTA will be able to come to terms by Wednesday night. Although nobody likes to lose out, compromise is always the best solution. In the end, a strike would make commuters the real losers.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

T L Blastenbrei
Philadelphia

And this reply came today:

Dear Mr. T L Blastenbrei,

Thank you for your letter to Local 234 TWU. As you know we have settled our contract with SEPTA and did so without a strike. Our members work hard to provide quality and safe service to our passengers. Local 234 understands quite well how important mass transit is to this region. We are glad we came to an agreement without a strike.

Again, Thank you for your comments

Mick Ostrowski for Local 234

I found it interesting that I got this AFTER the strike threat...

03-27-2001, 11:14 PM	#15
elSicomoro Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 12,486	About 2 weeks ago, I sent this letter to the TWU: To whom it may concern: I am writing your union in regards to a possible strike that could shut down the city division of SEPTA. I realize that one of the main purposes of a union is to protect workers. However, I feel that a strike by Local 234 would actually hurt its members. If the local strikes, hundreds of thousands of lives in the city of Philadelphia and the suburbs (including mine) would be greatly disrupted. Some people may choose permanent alternatives to using SEPTA. If those people quit riding SEPTA, then SEPTA would lose money and would be forced to cut jobs and service. Along these lines, many may point the finger at the union for a strike. This may cause others to be wary of joining a union in the future. I hope that your union and SEPTA will be able to come to terms by Wednesday night. Although nobody likes to lose out, compromise is always the best solution. In the end, a strike would make commuters the real losers. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, T L Blastenbrei Philadelphia And this reply came today: Dear Mr. T L Blastenbrei, Thank you for your letter to Local 234 TWU. As you know we have settled our contract with SEPTA and did so without a strike. Our members work hard to provide quality and safe service to our passengers. Local 234 understands quite well how important mass transit is to this region. We are glad we came to an agreement without a strike. Again, Thank you for your comments Mick Ostrowski for Local 234 I found it interesting that I got this AFTER the strike threat...