Transit City Strikes Transportation York People Service Busses

Transit strikes are very "disruptive" (creating problems and interrupting people's routines) in big cities where a large number of people depend on public transportation for their commute and daily activities. But they can also be very "effective" (able to get something done) "bargaining tools" (things people use to win in a negotiation) for transit workers.

Some of the biggest strikes in U.S. history have "occurred" (happened) in New York City. The 1966 New York City transit strike ended all service on the "subway" (underground trains) and busses, which affected millions of commuters. The 1980 New York City transit strike occurred when 34,000 union members refused to work, "halting" (stopping) all subways and busses for 10 days. Economists "estimate" (guess) that 15-20% of employees were not able to go to work during that time, and companies lost about $100 million per day as a result. And the 2005 New York City transit strike shut down service for two days.

Some transit strikes are "prompted" (caused; started) by social issues. In 1944, white transit workers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania refused to work because they did not want to let black employees have "non-menial" (skilled; important) jobs within the transit company. Transportation was disrupted, but the city remained "calm" (not panicked), even though the military was sent to take over the Philadelphia Transportation Company during that time.

A few strikes are "longer-lasting" (taking a longer time). In Atlanta, Georgia, many people had been killed by taxis and "trolleys" (vehicles that are like busses, but run on rails). To make the city safer, the city began requiring that all taxi drivers and trolley drivers have a "permit" (official permission) to drive. The union disliked the new law and started a strike, which lasted from May 18 to November 16, 1950.