I support the BART strike

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79. The unions are generalizing stats, as if all are in the same boat

Deception is key to selling a new contract. For instance, a family of four, according to those stats (I assume these numbers came from the Insight Center for Community Economic Development), would need around $76k a year to survive in SF. Ok, many caveats here, and to begin with, not such a big workforce. How many have families of 4? How many actually live in SF? How many live in rent controlled buildings? I have friends here living in very sizable apartments paying on average $800. How many have houses passed on from past generations? Two of my relatives have houses passed on. I'll wager you can cut down that workforce to half. So now, talking around 1500 employees. On average, according to the Chronicle, BART workers make $10k - $15k in overtime. That covers the other half needing the $76k, and is a super bonus for those not housing 4. Another super bonus: BART pays for their pensions. The average family of 4 making $76k has to put in money for their retirement, like 401ks, that can lose their values real quick if the market decides to sell off. They're also paying on average, per 4 units, $400 a month for health insurance. BART employees? About $90 a month. So, its total BULLSHIT that the unions are generalizes statistics.

A parks and rec union rep came our resident DJ Steve Masters show this morning - who are also planning a strike - and offered up the same defense like a GOP talking point: Unions are good for everyone because they drive up wages in the surrounding areas. Masters paused, and asked, 'So how is screwing over thousands of people who depend on BART and are barely making it, helping everyone get better wages?' To which the rep repeated his talking point. End of phone call.

I fully understand the value of unions in industries that compete against each other. But who competes with BART? Its not like anyone can hope across the rails and take FART. And as Masters said, how exactly do you raise wages for thousands by making THOUSANDS lose wages? This is pure extortion, hiding behind the golden legacy of unions.