Get On the Bus, Gus

I don't have a car and have taken the bus to work every day since I moved here a year and a half ago (and no, I'm not a member of the "working poor," nor would I claim to be).

In these types of debates, I'm always a little dumbfounded by the tendency to look only at the repercussions of the situation rather than its root. Blaming Cap Metro employees for trying to take a stand against unfair working conditions and wages seems to me to completely ignore the fact that it is StarTran's and the city's responsibility to treat their employees fairly. Don't blame those who would strike, but those "people in positions of power" whose unwillingness to treat their employees like human beings has forced them into a position where striking is their only alternative to complacency. Workers shouldn't have to choose between demanding decent treatment and "feeding their families." Sure, the workers could be martyrlike and sacrifice their own rights and needs so other people don't get fired, but that would mean accepting their own substandard working conditions. Ultimately, if there is a strike, it is not the workers' fault, as a strike wouldn't be necessary if StarTran would only negotiate fairly.

Given the tendency of transportation unions in Europe to strike for weeks or months, the idea that a strike by Cap Metro employees would be a crime against "the people" or something is kind of preposterous. I don't like it when there's a strike, but I know whose fault it is, and besides, that's what bikes are for.

Organized labor is an important aspect of our culture; it can protect those dependent on the rich from the whims of capital holders, the bosses. Unfortunately for the bus union, the citizens of Austin hold the purse strings, not some public transport barron. Furthermore, for the union to be strong, the work done must be in high demand, and it's not. Look closely at the buses around town; most are empty. Empty. The union would do well to focus on developing better routes, service, and promotion instead of giving the people who pay for bus, Austinites, another excuse not to ride.

Declan, I'm outing you. Your real name is Charles Fishman, and you were on NPR this evening:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5181097

Seriously, the story is quite relevant. I think you'd dig it.

Fishman: "If people knew how the shirts, the clothing, and the foodstuffs that WalMart sells at such low prices got on the shelves, I think they would be concerned about that, and I think they would be uncomfortable.... WalMart actually listens most closely...to customers, and if customers decide they're uncomfortable, then WalMart will change its behavior."

THE UNIONS ARE RUINING THE NORTH, JUST LOOK AT GM AND FORD.

KEEP UNIONS OUT OF TEXAS.

I NEED TO RIDE THE BUS.

LUV,

JUB

Problem solved: You can't miss the bus if the buses aren't running.

I got fired once for missing the bus, Asshat.

Come on Carly, you're talking about not being able to swing your rent and wondering about my level of "privilege"? You've got a fancy pants blog and an internet connection. I'm really impressed that you've got an internet connection running to your 'fridge box so you can talk about your pseudovintage fuck me boots. Things can't be so rough out there on the soup kitchen line, eh?

The people who ride the bus are not inherently "working poor". Likely, the majority of the people who ride the bus are in the same tax bracket (or close) to the people who drive them. Sure, go ahead, blame the union and break it... and then how long will it be until your job forces some similar unreasonable demands on you. You'll get no sympathy when your job is outsourced to India.

The reality is that John, Carly, and everyone else who plays the "I don't want to be inconvenienced short term because I have to pay my rent now" card are the same people who also close their eyes before shopping at Walmart. Sure, its wonderful to save $20 a month on your toilet paper and socks, but long term that $20 savings is going to cause a lot of headaches for your children and your childrens' children.

As for John's comment that the people riding the bus don't give a shit about the workers' rights -- bingo. That is exactly WHY a strike is a necessary evil to open the eyes of those who use the system. Just because you *don't* give a shit currently doesn't mean you *shouldn't* give a shit. If the bus drivers were all slaves who were shackled up at night, just as many of those people riding the bus wouldn't give a shit because they are self absorbed and short term thinking. They're human beings who don't want to think about the other human beings providing them services.

Is the idea that you and I might be inconvenienced short term for the long term good of the community such a horrible thought?

I am with John, here. First of all, I wonder just how much privilege Declan has access to. Keeping the working poor from getting to their jobs isn't going to arouse their sympathies -- it's going to get them fired.

A friend of mine had a discussion with her bus driver yesterday, and he said the main reason the strike didn't happen was because the regular workers like him (not the union leadership) need to be able to feed their families. The bus drivers, mechanics and other Metro employees need their paychecks, just like the folks riding the bus.

And, sure, you can say think long term, but I personally find it very hard to think long term when I'm worried I might not be able to swing my rent.

Why should people be forced to give a shit about worker's rights? Having ridden the bus for years and years, I have a pretty good idea a large majority of those who ride the bus don't give a shit, and they shouldn't be out of luck trying to get to work just because they aren't some hyper-political activist with fancy "mokey-wrench" bookshop lingo who yearns to become involved in anything like this.

Unionization would hit people in power if sheep like the author would hold the people in power responsible for forcing the union members into this situation.

The people in power aren't going to just miraculously change their viewpoints unless the union, you, and me all hold them accountable. The best way for the union to make you and I hold those people accountable? Strike.

Don't villanize unions and union members just because your life might be inconvenienced for a few days. If you do, somewhere down the line, your life will be inconvenienced a lot more than a few days -- think long term, not short term.

Think progressive, not regressive.

THIS WILL WHYNN IS ONE SLICK CAT THAT I OWE MY LIFE TO. NOW JUB DOESNT HAVE TO WALK FROM SLAUGHTER LANE TO DOWNTOWN EVERY DAY.

THANK YOU WILL.