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Transit Union's Jail Sentence and Fine for Strike
By
Jen Chung
Published Apr 11, 2006
Modified Mar 7, 2008
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By
Jen Chung
Published Apr 11, 2006
Modified Mar 7, 2008
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Yesterday afternoon, Transport Workers Union president Roger Toussaint was sentenced to 10 days in jail, plus a $1000 fine, for his role in last year's transit strike. Though it's unclear whether or not he'll be appealing the decision (he has 29 more days to figure that out!), there are aleady murmurings of him becoming a labor martyr symbol, though Toussaint denies it. Brooklyn Supreme Court Judge Theodore Jones said, "I said in December this episode represents a sad day in New York City labor relations and I still believe that. I'm confounded by the tortured tale of these negotiations. It is unfortunate that it had to come down to an illegal strike"; Jones could have given Toussaint community service instead. The two other top TWU officials were hit with $500 fines each, and the MTA and Governor Pataki seemed satisified with the outcome. The NY Times mentioned how some labor unions believe the Taylor Law, which prohibits public employees to go on strike (and this is the law that Toussaint violated), gives too much power to management; we wonder if the next governor will do anything to address this.
The NY Post, no fan of Toussaint, essentially criticizes the labor union head's high-living with a smirk as he may face prison.
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Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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