Valley Transit strike needs the Ronald Reagan approach - by Roy Miller

Valley Transit strike needs the Ronald Reagan approach

By Roy Miller

Why do Valley taxpayers give Veolia transportation a monopoly on bus and rail service but then allow them to strike against the taxpayers? Veolia should either not be given a monopoly (my preference) or not allowed to strike. I remember a situation years ago where air traffic controllers attempted to strike against the public interest. President Reagan solved that problem. Maybe we should try his solution.

Editors Reply

Too bad you went on. You should have stopped at this:

Why do Valley taxpayers give Veolia transportation a monopoly on bus and rail service? [I didn't know Valley taxpayers gave Veolia a monopoly---I figured the "voters" "representatives" did.]

Or asked why taxpayers "give" their earnings to any entity at all?

As to striking, everyone has the right to collectively organize and if they choose strike their job. Though such a right could be contracted away.

Just as every employer has the right to decide they no longer need the union's employees. Though such a right could be contracted away.

Legitimate contracts must offer benefit to both parties, be knowingly entered into and cannot be entered into under duress. It is only government with a gun that pits the interests of a favored entity (for example a union) over another entity. Only government can create a monopoly.

And it is the union workers that Veolia contracts with who strike. Veolia's employees ("management") are not on strike at the time the union's employees ("workers") strike.

Besides the nicest times to drive in our valley is when the buses shut down for a strike. People get to work 33% faster. I only wish they were on strike 100% of the time.