Toussaint Speaks

..to the NY Daily News, no less. And he says he wants a trial, so New Yorkers can decide whether his actions should be subject to fines or jail time.

It's odd to see something like this in the paper that cried for Toussaint's head:

Although transit workers, teachers and other public employees can be punished for illegal strikes, there's nothing to compel government negotiators to successfully bargain fair pacts on time, labor leaders have argued. City teachers, firefighters and police all have been forced to work without contracts.

Governor Pataki just vetoed an amendment to the Taylor Law that would have forced management to bargain within six months of contract expiration, or face PERB fact-finders. It would have allowed PERB to fine obstructionist parties, like NYC, $10,000 a day. Governor Pataki, whom the UFT supported, felt that was too severe.

Oddly enough, fining the TWU millions per day did not seem to phase him in the least. Apparently, to establish oneself as a viable Republican presidential candidate, it's necessary to take a firm stand against working people.