It's not just the government who is mad at the transit union - it's the firefighter who was hit by a bus during the transit strike who is annoyed as well. Matthew Long is suing the Transport Workers Union, plus Bear Stearns and the charter bus companies it hired to shuttle workers. Long was hit by a shuttle bus that "suddenly and without warning violentaly made a right turn over multiple lanes" at Third Avenue and 52nd Street, and Long's lawyer claims that since the union "put this entire thing into motion," they are responsible for the fact that Long's life will never be the same - Long was a triathlete but has had nine operations since being hit. Bear Stearns did not comment, except to offer their thoughts to Long and say, "This is a tragic situation."
This touches upon some pet peeves - strike or no strike - vehicle turns over multiple lanes and drivers not paying attention to bikers in that could be in traffic with them. But the case of who's at fault is very interesting - if the TWU can be sued, we wonder if Governor Pataki should be sued for showing absolutely no leadership during the strike. Gothamist's Transit Strike archives.
