It's Over...TWU Votes to End the Strike, Service slowly resuming Options

[NickG]

From TWU Local 100's website:

TWU Local 100 Executive Board Votes to End Strike, Return to Work

Dec. 22-The first NYC system-wide transit strike in 25 years ended today. Local 100 had to walk out to stop the TA’s 11th hour pension ambush. We walked out strong, and we walk back stronger.

Thousands of transit workers have been on freezing cold picket lines around the clock for three days. The vote of the TWU Local 100 Executive Board to overwhelmingly accept the recommendation of theNew York State Mediators means we will now start reporting to work.

In the face of an unprecedented media assault, the average New Yorker supported the TWU and blamed the MTA for the strike. Our riders knew we did not abandon them, and they did not abandon us. Public support from unions, communities, clergy and elected officials helped create the  atmosphere for an end to the strike.

The details will be coming to all transit workers very soon.

Every TWU member should be proud that our Union stood up for justice.

Stay United! Stay Strong!

[KevinKorell]

From WCBS-880 radio, 12/22/05:

Mayor: Buses Back This Evening, Subways Tomorrow

Mayor Bloomberg has just told reporters he hopes that buses will be running by this evening, emergency traffic restrictions lifted by midnight, and subways back on track by tomorrow morning.

The full story can be found here.

[CNJRoss]

Associated Press:

Dec 22, 6:07 PM EST

New York's 3-Day Transit Strike Ends

By DEEPTI HAJELA
Associated Press Writer

NEW YORK (AP) -- Faced with mounting fines and the rising wrath of millions of commuters, the city transit union sent its members back to work without a new contract Thursday and ended a crippling, three-day strike that brought subways and buses to a standstill.

Union members were told to return to their jobs starting with the evening shift. Buses were expected to be rolling again by evening. And most subways were expected to be running by the Friday morning rush, just two days before Christmas.

Continue here.

[NickG]

From the New York Times, 12/23/05:

Workers Choose to Come Back and Talk

Thousands of New York City transit workers put down their picket signs and streamed into bus depots and railyards last night to restart the nation's largest transit system, after leaders of their union agreed to a tentative framework for a new contract and ended a 60-hour strike that hobbled the city.

The full story is here.

[NickG]

From the New York Times, 12/23/05:

The Slow, Ponderous Process of Restarting the Wheels

Across the city last night, thousands of engines rumbled and roared to life. Compressors sputtered and pumped air pressure into brakes. The triumphant, suffocating scent of diesel fuel filled the bus yards. Darkened train platforms were suddenly bathed in wan light, sending rats scurrying. Doors opened and shut, opened and shut. Public-address speakers were tested to see if they had maintained their crystalline fidelity during 60 hours of imposed silence.

The country's biggest, busiest mass transit system was slowly revving back to life.

The full story is here.