The strike as a source of bargaining power

The single most important source of bargaining power for the TWU Local 100 is the threat of a strike. However for the MTA it is the ability to resist a strike. A strike imposes costs on both sides since the MTA loses its objective of providing mass transportation while we the workers lose our earnings from work. The relative bargaining power of the MTA in relation to TWU Local 100 hinges on whether the costs of a strike fall more heavily on the MTA or on the workers.

First our bargaining power should be the ability to impose cost on MTA if the MTA does not agree to TWU Local 100 terms. The second bargaining capacity is the ability to insulate TWU Local 100 from retaliatory cost-imposing sanctions by the MTA. We should be able to win our demands depending on how costly it can make disagreement for the MTA.

The nature of the service we provide for New York City is vital for its economy. Just imagine that we are in a position to raise the cost of lettuce in New York City to a significant  cost - how? If the laborers are forced to pay an exorbitant sum just to get to work (in the absence of our services - strike) that cost would be passed to the retailer and in return the retailer will pass the cost to the consumer thus the lettuce price will skyrocket. This is the spill over effect due to the nature that this type of product is perishable and requires constant labor. Thus they are not better or able to take a strike. In addition the retailer will not be able to build up a large stockpile of the lettuce. Since we know perishable goods or services such as lettuce, airline travel or the hotel industry are vulnerable to a strike then its sales become immediately cut off and often cannot be made up after the strike is over.

The overall state of the economy as well as specific conditions in New York City can also have an important impact on the relative bargaining power of TWU Local 100 and the MTA. We in the TWU Local 100 believe in this poor economic time, and the balance of power tips in favor of the workers not the management. Even though the unemployment number is somewhat high - we workers have built up some savings to withstand a strike without fear of losing our jobs.

The relative bargaining power of the TWU Local 100 is unquestionable, and can flatten the MTA and Jay H Walder which we expect to go in our favor. However with John Samulesen as a compromised leader we wonder if this advantage will be turned upside down. We must have a right to strike and it should not be limited to safety issues but rather to production standards. Anything less than the current wage raise of 11.3% is unacceptable, anything less will almost end John Samuelsen’s era. Maybe he will head back to his tools by putting eight hours.