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Hi Folks:
A good blog on the subject of the strike - by a striking transit worker.
http://tcmetro.blogspot.com/
Some numbers to call: Gov. Tim Pawlenty 651-296-3391 1-800-657-3717 FAX: 651-296-2089 <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Metropolitan Council, attn, Peter Bell 651-602-1453 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Steve while health benefits are a sticking point in negotiations - and frequently are in union negotiations, they aren't the real underlying cause of this strike.
The Star Tribune today called on the Governor to take leadership on this strike, I agree wholeheartedly. He should follow the example set by Governor Arne Carlson who faced a similar strike when he was governor.
In my opinion, the Governor and some Republican ideologs wanted this strike - because it would delay implementation of the light rail line - and the ideologs who attend Republican caucuses - who "don't want no choo choo trains" (yup direct quote) want the light rail project to fail. It was a gift for the governor to be able to help make the light rail project fail - and to blame transit workers for this. Machiavelian - sure - but that's politics - and it's nothing new.
I am a Republican and want this strike settled.
Why the Taxpayer's League is commenting on this situation is beyond me. In my opinion, they should be focusing on preventing my Hennepin County sales tax being used to fund professional sports stadiums - rather than getting into the press saying we need to get rid of our bus system and give jalopy vouchers for the poor. Public transit is a livability issue - and affects tourism. While I drive to work - I would be in a real pickle if my car broke down. I would have to work from home on those days - and I'm lucky I have that option. I like having the bus as an option to get home from the airport. I have used this option in the past - and it saves me big time on taxi fares - and is convenient. When I visit other cities, I use their public transit systems. I visited London last summer, and loved the convenience of the tube - and wished we had something like that here - and believe we will never get their here as long as the "We don't like choo choo trains" crowd is the predominant group who attend Republican caucuses and conventions.
I work for the University of Minnesota - and our wages were frozen last year. The University negotiated a settlement with the clerical workers when they went on strike - they didn't do the negotiate through the media nonsense that Peter Bell is doing as chair of the met council. I am tired of seeing Peter Bell on Television. I want to see him at the negotiating table - and taking leadership to negotiate a settlement. The City of Minneapolis did this recently with their employees. So did the University of Minnesota. A strike never settles if both sides don't negotiate in good faith. Peter Bell - and the Governor - have the obligation to negotiate in good faith. They are not doing that now.
I am especially disappointed with Peter Bell. I worked on his campaign 4 years ago when he ran for County commissioner. I posted regularly on the Minneapolis Issues list to promote his campaign. In my opinion this bus strike was pushed - from the Governor and Bell - to placate the "We don't want no choo choo trains" light rail hating idiotlogs who populate Republican caucuses. I have been very disappointed in the way Bell has been handling this strike. My way or the highway is not good faith negotiation. Bell is better than that in my opinion. He needs to stand up to some of the goofier ideologs on the Met Council - especially Annette (let's abolish the Met Council) Meeks - who represents the North side on the Met Council (appalling in my opinion).
I just called Peter Bell, Governor Pawlenty and Steve Murphy and left loooong voice mail messages. I'd encourage people to leave long voice mail messages - this will start costing money. All the numbers posted will take voice mails - so fill up the voice mail boxes - if you have a "how annoying it is not to have the buses" story - make sure these people hear it - preferably on voice mail - after hours. Also Pawlenty's fax number is: 651-296-2089. Keep that fax machine cranking.
I am a moderate Republican, believe transit is a vital part of transportation solutions in an urban area, and don't want to see any more properties and neighborhoods destroyed in order to build more highways in the city of Minneapolis. In my opinion both 35 and 94 were mistakes - and neighborhoods near those mistakes have yet to recover from the destruction to the area. Building more highways in the core cities in Minneapolis increases property taxes by removing more taxable property from the property tax roles. This is bad public policy.
In places like Washington DC, Atlanta, San Francisco, Boston and Chicago - and many other cities, there are good train transit systems. We don't have trains here because of the head in the sand "We don't want no choo choo train" nonsense. This needs to stop. The bus strike has gone on long enough. Governor Pawlenty step up to the plate and show leadership.
Eva Young Near North Minneapolis [EMAIL PROTECTED] Blog is up: http://lloydletta.blogspot.com
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