2005 Transit Strike
Between 32,000 and 34,000 workers representing the TWU Local 100 went on strike from December 20 to 22, 2005, after failed negotiations for increased retirement benefits, pension benefits, and wages. All service on subways and buses were halted during these three days. The strike occurred during the busiest shopping week of the year, and the city estimated that it lost close to $1 billion for all three days of the strike. Retailers and other lost about $400 million per day. The union was subsequently fined $2.5 million, and TWU Local 100 President Roger Toussaint was imprisoned for 10 days. The strike was illegal under the Taylor Law.
The TWU demanded a 6% salary increase per year for each of the contract’s three years, as well as better accommodations for maternity leave and station maintenance. The MTA offered a 3% raise the first year, 4% the second year, and 3.5% the third year. While the TWU wanted to lower the eligibility age for a full pension from 55 to 50, the MTA wanted to increase it to 62. Toussaint announced following the strike that there would be no changes to pensions, and salaries would increase per the MTA’s original offer, plus receiving full pay on Martin Luther King Day.
Next, check out the first 7 miles of open, car-free streets in NYC!