On 3/14/04 11:46 PM, "Bill Cullen" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> ... I do agree with Mr. Hohmann in principle: taxpayers should not be > subsidizing luxury or extravagant benefits far above and beyond what is > available to average workers in the workplace. > > My response: > > This is why most of the community is quiet about this strike. It is hard > for the private sector to support a strike when the Met Council's position > paper clearly outlines that the drivers receive above average pay and > benefits compared to private sector employees doing the same job > (http://www.metrocouncil.org/labor/METCposition.pdf). I think this is a serious misquote of what Chris Johnson stated. His full statement was: "...I do agree with Mr. Hohmann in principle: taxpayers should not be subsidizing luxury or extravagant benefits far above and beyond what is available to average workers in the workplace. The problem is deciding where that line is, in order not to cross it. Others have argued effectively that the current "average" for health care benefits among citizens is terribly low -- even Mr. Hohmann's remarks above point out that many have far less or nothing -- and shouldn't we be working to improve them everyone, instead of dragging transit workers down to the shameful mediocrity enjoyed by so many?" That's what I agree with. And from the various blogs, discussion forums and letters to the editor I have seen, that's where much of the sentiment of those willing to weigh in lies. I think most folks realize that this health care problem is bigger than just a contract negotiation and they're hoping that the strike will help draw attention to that. The few private sector leaders I've seen commentary from essentially have said that they'd like to see a deal struck quickly. But that would require Met Council to actually negotiate, not sit back and wait for the union to cave, which is what Met Council is doing now. Mark Snyder Windom Park REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
