Metadish, Fresh from NYC

Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Theodore Jones said yesterday that TWU Local 100 President Roger Toussaint should do jail time for heading up and organizing the transit strike that crippled the city for three days this past December.

Jones also hit Toussaint with a $1,000 fine.

“This strike was illegal,” said Jones, citing the state’s Taylor Law.

Toussaint was not immediately taken into custody. Jones gave him 30 days to appeal.

Transport Workers Union Treasurer Ed Watt and Recording Secretary Darlyne Lawson were hit with $500 fines but no jail time.

Jones meted out punishment after Toussaint, Watt and Lawson pleaded guilty to contempt-of-court charges.

Toussaint told Jones the union was forced to strike by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s “cavalier” approach toward the labor negotiations.

“I accept responsibility for my actions and I only ask that you consider the larger context,” Toussaint told Jones.

After the three day strike Toussaint and the MTA came to a contract agreement which Toussaint then presented to members of TWU Local 100 to vote on. The offer was voted down by seven votes. I happen to know one of the guys who voted no on the original contract, and I can tell you at least from his point of view, none of the TWU really wanted to go on strike, they really felt their hand was forced by the MTA. Sending Toussaint to jail won’t change anything if the MTA isn’t willing to realize which side its bread is buttered on.

Roger & out, it’s jail time [Daily News]

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