Of boroughs and transit

Let’s begin: Yes, the “NYC transit strike is just biting off Philly” joke is rather easy. It’s so obvious, in fact, that made it last week. But, hey, it’s a good line.

And, actually, it may be more truth than joke at this point. Remember during the SEPTA strike that tool union spokesman Bob Bedard, who said:

Fair people will support the health care fight just as fair people supported Rosa Parks’ fight for her rights in Montgomery.

Right. And now, New York transit union president Roger Toussaint has come out and said:

There is a higher calling than the law and that’s justice and equality. Had Rosa Parks answered the call of the law instead of the higher call of justice, many of us who are driving buses today would still be in the back of the bus.

Jesus. What’s next, bottled wooder? Cheesesteaks? Corrupt politicians?

Union Leaders Could Face Jail Time [ABC 7]
Oct. 31: We’re getting there, on foot
Dec. 15: Philly: STILL so hot right now!

Philly: STILL so hot right now!

I guess they figured, “Hey, the sixth borough had a strike. Why not us?”

As a good third grader would say: “Copycats.”

Threatened Strike By Transit Workers Worries New York [Washington Post]

Day 5: Breakin’ (down) the strike

Five days in and we’re still nowhere closer to a settlement. Pack it in for the long haul, people. Some recent developments:

• Downed power lines caused delays of up to two hours on all Regional Rail lines during the evening rush hour yesterday. Reportedly, the lines were backed up all the way from the station to the Gallery. From 30th Street Station to the Gallery. [KYW1060]

• Philly School District wants students to be able to get on Regional Rail with a token. Yeah. Over my cold, dead body (that’s clutching $3.75 for the ride to a Zone 3 station). [KYW1060]

• Fast Eddie looks to enter the ring, provided the negotiations have a buffet. [DN]

• The NBC10 SEPTA strike blogger has been idenfitied — online editor Teresa Masterson — and she can’t find a cab: “So I did the only thing I could do. In the words of Forest Gump, ‘I…WAS…RUNNING!’ I may have actually looked like Forest Gump, too.” [NBC10]

• And when things are tough, it’s best to think of the little people: the strike is hurting Main Line commuters. [Main Line Life]