NYC Transit Workers Call Strike

December 20, 2005

NYC Transit Workers Call Strike
December 20, 2005 – More than 30,000 transit workers are on strike in New York City after a walkout was called early Tuesday morning.

 

"Transit workers are tired of being underappreciated and disrespected," Transit Workers Union President Roger Toussaint said. "The Local 100 executive board has voted overwhelmingly to extend strike action to all MTA properties immediately."

 

With the announcement, TWU began shutting down the city’s trains, buses and subways, affecting more than 7 million people who use the system on a typical day.

 

Mayor Bloomberg said a previously drawn-up contingency plan would be in effect for Tuesday morning’s rush hour. That plan calls for the designation of HOV lanes, the establishment of police checkpoints and the adoption of a new fare structure for taxis. The plan also requires cars coming into Manhattan below 96th Street to have at least four occupants.

 

New Yorkers are urged to make arrangements to car pool, bicycle and walk to work, or change their schedules and work from home.

The city of New York is reporting that traffic and roadway limitations, including HOV4 and commercial vehicle restrictions, are in effect from 5 a.m. to 11 a.m., weekdays. Alternate side of the street parking is suspended. Due to the strike, all New York City public schools will have a 2 hour delay to the start of the school day. School bus times will be delayed two hours as well, to accommodate for the new start time. Parents should call the school first to confirm if they wish to drop off children before the delayed start time.

 

For more information, visit the following Web sites:

 

Metropolitan Transportation Authority: http://www.mta.info/

 

Transport Workers Union: http://www.twulocal100.org/

 

City contingency plans: http://www.nyc.gov/html/transitinfo/html/home.shtml