2012 on my mind

Local 100 must put Jay H Walder on a tight leash especially since he has embarked ‘We will attack the MTA’s cost structure, looking at every aspect of our operation to find better and less expensive ways’. Those were his words at the January 15, 2010 - Association for a better New York’. 

In Walders mind he is transforming the MTA and he clearly states ‘And I intend to take it.’ In addition ‘there will be layoffs’ we find this troubling to the membership thus in the contract of 2012 we must be AAA(Alert And Alive). If Walder thinks he is good, then we are better and we are not going to surrender our rights or benefits.

Given that some degree of cooperation is required for anything to be produced there is a gigantic and infinite conflict that remains between Walder and we the blue collar workers. We cannot lose sight of the fact that our relationship is adversarial, since Walder’s goals can only be obtained at the expense of the blue collar workers. 

There is no common goal that could ever unite us with Walder’s flawed philosophies since he has utilized a high conflict path as he has utilized in London. We here in why did you join the union would caution Samuelsen about Walder because he views us as a commodity that should be purchased as cheaply as possible and used only as long as Walder whims and wishes in the name of keeping labor cost down. We say no to that philosophy, it may have worked in London, however it will not work in New York because we will not be a commodity.

Walder views us blue collar workers strictly as a variable cost. Implying that workers can be laid off at his discretion, which he has done so. We will never forget the layoff of 2010, and we will never forget our fellow laid off members who have to endure this holiday season being unemployed. The thought of how their daily lives struggle goes on but it will not be forgotten. We will work tirelessly for Walder’s removal, so he can go and enjoy his villa in France. We here in why did you join the union view Walder’s management style as poor and as a very authoritarian approach that should not be tolerated.