...the Septa strike.

Way to go Philly. This morning at 3 am, the Septa union went on strike. I won’t get into how I feel about unions in general; I’ll just stick to this particular incident.
This is what I have to say in response to Septa – WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU?!?!?!

Okay, granted, you have been working without a contract since March.

And granted, you could have gone on strike on Saturday, leaving tens of thousands of World Series fans in the lurch. And you didn’t. So there’s that. But let’s face it – who the hell wants to take the chance of pissing off 50 thousand Phillies fans?? Only certifiably insane people would to that – a full on riot would have ensued.

But to go on strike at 3 am? On a Tuesday? Really? Hell, there were even Septa workers who showed up to work and didn’t know they were on strike.

Some of the details (for those not wanting to click and read the article:

“According to TWU officials, SEPTA management has proposed no wage increase for the first two years of a four-year contract and a 2 percent increase in each of the final two years. It also wanted to increase worker contributions to health coverage from 1 percent to 4 percent and freeze the level of pension benefits.

The union wants a 4 percent raise each year and health contributions to remain 1 percent. It is also seeking an increase in pension contributions from $75 to $100 for every year of service.”

I think it’s irresponsible, and rude, for anyone to strike during this economy. They should be thankful to have a job. I personally have known at least three people who have been laid off this year, and others who are very concerned about their jobs. And anyone who complains about a contract that doesn’t include wage increases next year? I’d like to have a word with you. My company cut raises this year, including the Cost of Living Increase. Hell, my 401K match was cut in half, and tuition reimbursement was cut altogether (which, in an industry that likes people to have MBAs to be competitive, is a big deal). Am I complaining? Well, yes, but I am still happy to have a job.

"Think about that," Rendell said. "Whose pension has been increased in this day and age?" Thank you Ed.

Let’s not forget about the hundreds of thousands of people who are affected by this – people without cars who can’t get to work, kids who have to go to school tomorrow, girls who moved to South Philly and still want to shop in Center City?? (Okay, that last one is really selfish, but the first two are totally legitimate.)

And to keep the selfish tide rolling – the traffic this morning was nuts. There were cops directing traffic all throughout Center City this morning and not one single traffic light was out – there was just massive congestion as people had to take to their cars en masse.

I get that unions exist to make sure that people just trying to feed themselves/their families aren’t taken advantage of, and I really tried to be open minded about the Septa workers “requests,” but I think they’re just taking advantage of their position. Shut it. Get your ass back to work so everyone else can go to work.