December 29, 2005
A SQUANDER:
New York Transit Deal Shows Union's Success on Many Fronts (STEVEN GREENHOUSE, 12/29/05, NY Times)
He was excoriated on tabloid front pages and by the mayor and governor. As thousands streamed across the Brooklyn Bridge on a frigid night during last week's transit strike, someone in a car yelled out his name, prefacing it with a curse.But now, a day after details of an agreement between the transit workers and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority were spelled out, Roger Toussaint, the union's president, seems to have emerged in a far better position than seemed likely just a few days ago.
The strike was a gift, but NY wasted it. Posted by Orrin Judd at December 29, 2005 7:31 AM
I'm not up to speed on New York politics, but would Pataki have backed a harder line on the unions, or would Bloomberg been winging it on his own? Everybody has to be on the same page, before you attempt that in a strong Union state like New York.
Posted by: h-man at December 29, 2005 8:32 AMPataki only usually gets involved in NYC politics when requested by the mayor to back him up. For example, the West Side Stadium they wanted to build for the Jets and as part of the Olympic bid.
If Bloomberg waffles, Pataki doesn't come in and lead.
Posted by: Matt Cohen at December 29, 2005 9:37 AM