SEPTA strike drives commuter protest – Philadelphia Inquirer
SEPTA strike drives commuter protest Philadelphia Inquirer “I want the SEPTA corporation and the union to settle now! This is a time of recession! How dare you?” Ayala said she depended on buses, subways, …
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SEPTA strike drives commuter protest – Philadelphia Inquirer
Like everyone else, I’m really annoyed by the SEPTA strike. Not only because of their decision to strike, but what looks to be an apparent disregard for the tons of people that rely on them. Yes, there are many people in this city with cars, bikes, or walking distance from their job. However, there are just as many people who don’t have cars, or bikes, or a skateboard for that matter (like myself), who truly need public transportation. In addition, what’s most annoying about the strike (from my p.o.v.) is the way they did it. If you’re going to go on strike, then do it–stick to your fucking guns. Don’t make a “punk ass” move by going on strike at 3am, after the world series is over. In fact, if SEPTA REALLY wanted to make a statement to show people how much we need them, it should have been done during the world series–that would have really gotten the point across about how unappreciated they feel in regards to their wages (or lack of) and pensions. No, they wait until the last world series game, game 6 which took place in NY, where no Phillies fans would need to take the south bound train to get to the stadium–at 3:00am, where many people are asleep because they need to get ready for jobs and schools the next day.
I live in South Philly and work in West Philly–I walked to and from work everyday since the strike. Four miles to work and four miles home. We can call do the math…that’s 8 miles a day. After the fourth day of striking, my feet are finally getting used to all of the walking. If this strike continues, many people may become adjusted to their new mode of transportation and will no longer need SEPTA…or at least have the strength to boycott them. I’m an Aries, which means I’m stubborn as hell. Since the strike, I will say I’ve lost some weight, my day runs by pretty quickly, and I get a good nights rest. In the end, I may not need SEPTA to get to and from work anymore…but lets be real. It’s fucking winter. It’s getting cold. Philadelphia should be called the windy city, not Chicago. This is flu season (not just H1N1). People will get colds walking in this damn weather until SEPTA union people make up their minds. This means more people calling out sick–people who don’t work on a salary base. Yes, there are still people out there SEPTA who work by the hour and need their jobs. So while you’re trying to show the city how much we need you, you’re really making many people apathetic to your cause, as opposed to sympathetic or empathetic
Lastly, I read on http://www.philly.com about this kid who lives in NE Philly and goes to a Catholic school that’s 8 miles away from him….he’s been walking those 8 miles to and from school to maintain his academic record. I really, really, really, truly hope that nothing happens to this kid, or others who live in the not so great parts of Philly, and have to endure the walk..