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LAMGAJ28
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Member since 10/05 6039 total posts
Name:
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Re: Post Your Feelings About the Strike.....
Posted by DDB336
I do feel for the workers, the conditions they work in are not as nice as sitting in front of computer. As far a timing, the city always has lots of tourist, there would never be a good time for this. The workers don't want to strike, it's the union who made the decision. As for the crappy trains and prices of fares, that's the MTA's fault, no the union. I think the MTA should be a little wiser with it's money, did the 1million surplus really help any of us.
I find that the customer service from these employees is lacking for the most part. Try asking them a question and they act like you are annoying them. I'm not saying every employee is like that...but for the most part it is.....
The stations are dirty.....the subway cars.....unbeareable at times......
And the city has always tourists but at this time of year..there are even more.....
And the workers may not want to strike but they definitely chose these people that made the decisions for them.
And the surplus didn't help any of us...on the contrary...you will see prices increasing next year...it's like you pay more and get less....
And after all....the MTA gave in a little bit. 55 years old is not a bad age for retirement if you ask me....JMO
And Redhead...I hope they have to pay the fine. They broke the law and inconvenienced millions of users who also have to get to work and need to make a living.....Usually for the most part, when people break the law....they should pay for it......
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Posted 12/20/05 9:20 AM  |
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Ang-Rich
Beyond Compare
Member since 5/05 17988 total posts
Name:
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Re: Post Your Feelings About the Strike.....
Posted by DDB336
I do feel for the workers, the conditions they work in are not as nice as sitting in front of computer. As far a timing, the city always has lots of tourist, there would never be a good time for this. The workers don't want to strike, it's the union who made the decision. As for the crappy trains and prices of fares, that's the MTA's fault, no the union. I think the MTA should be a little wiser with it's money, did the 1million surplus really help any of us.
You made a lot of good points but as far as the workers not wanting to strike -the union making the decision - don't the workers - or member make up the union? If they didn't want to strike they could have clocked in for work this morning, no?
I do agree - the MTA should manage it's financial situation better. The pension is underfunded and fares are constantly increasing with no relief in site.
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| Posted 12/20/05 9:20 AM |
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dpli
Daylight savings :)
Member since 5/05 13973 total posts
Name:
D
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Re: Post Your Feelings About the Strike.....
Posted by MrsFresca
Posted by DDB336
I do feel for the workers, the conditions they work in are not as nice as sitting in front of computer. As far a timing, the city always has lots of tourist, there would never be a good time for this. The workers don't want to strike, it's the union who made the decision. As for the crappy trains and prices of fares, that's the MTA's fault, no the union. I think the MTA should be a little wiser with it's money, did the 1million surplus really help any of us.
I find that the customer service from these employees is lacking for the most part. Try asking them a question and they act like you are annoying them. I'm not saying every employee is like that...but for the most part it is.....
The stations are dirty.....the subway cars.....unbeareable at times......
And the city has always tourists but at this time of year..there are even more.....
And the workers may not want to strike but they definitely chose these people that made the decisions for them.
And the surplus didn't help any of us...on the contrary...you will see prices increasing next year...it's like you pay more and get less....
And after all....the MTA gave in a little bit. 55 years old is not a bad age for retirement if you ask me....JMO
And Redhead...I hope they have to pay the fine. They broke the law and inconvenienced millions of users who also have to get to work and need to make a living.....Usually for the most part, when people break the law....they should pay for it......
I agree with the first poster, that if stations are sub-par, that is the fault of the MTA, not the union. Also, the current retirement age is 55, so maybe the union is being unreasonable for wanting it to come down to 50, but the MTA is not making any huge concession by offering to keep it to 55, IMO.
As far as the inconvenience, it is a bad time of year for a strike, but this is the time of the year that they would most be able to use a strike to their benefit.
And I doubt that the entire union votes on the negotiations, and the strike. The union leadership is elected and I think they make those decisions on behalf of the union.
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| Posted 12/20/05 9:25 AM |
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Elbee
Zanzibar
Member since 5/05 10767 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Post Your Feelings About the Strike.....
Posted by Ang-Rich
You made a lot of good points but as far as the workers not wanting to strike -the union making the decision - don't the workers - or member make up the union? If they didn't want to strike they could have clocked in for work this morning, no?
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They don't make the decision to strike, their union leaders do. They could have crossed the picket line, but then why have a union to fight for them. Most people take city jobs because of the benefits - pensions, healthcare, early retirement, etc ... not because they strive to be bus drivers or sanitation workers aas children. It's the benefits that outweigh the choice to go into the private sector.
I know I don't understand the hoopla of having to pay for medical insurance or 401k's or having to wait for retirement but people who take these city jobs expect it - it's one of the perks for working for the city. I understand them not wanting to lose those benefits.
Yes, the strike s*cks for everyone involved - the workers, the city, the government and for us --- but if given the option at our jobs for better wages and better benefits would any of us strike? You cannot tell me that everyone is 100% satisfied with their jobs - unions were meant to fight for their workers and strike if neccessary. Unfortunately that is the way Unions and jobs like this work.
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| Posted 12/20/05 9:26 AM |
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Redhead
You Live, You Learn
Member since 5/05 31871 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Post Your Feelings About the Strike.....
Posted by Elbee
Posted by Ang-Rich
You made a lot of good points but as far as the workers not wanting to strike -the union making the decision - don't the workers - or member make up the union? If they didn't want to strike they could have clocked in for work this morning, no?
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They don't make the decision to strike, their union leaders do. They could have crossed the picket line, but then why have a union to fight for them. Most people take city jobs because of the benefits - pensions, healthcare, early retirement, etc ... not because they strive to be bus drivers or sanitation workers aas children. It's the benefits that outweigh the choice to go into the private sector.
I know I don't understand the hoopla of having to pay for medical insurance or 401k's or having to wait for retirement but people who take these city jobs expect it - it's one of the perks for working for the city. I understand them not wanting to lose those benefits.
Yes, the strike s*cks for everyone involved - the workers, the city, the government and for us --- but if given the option at our jobs for better wages and better benefits would any of us strike? You cannot tell me that everyone is 100% satisfied with their jobs - unions were meant to fight for their workers and strike if neccessary. Unfortunately that is the way Unions and jobs like this work.
I agree with the first paragraph but
the reason why they have all of that (goiod benefits, pensions etc) originally was because NOBODY wanted the sh!t jobs. So they use that to lure the people into these jobs...
IMO that isn't what people go to the jobs for specifically though.
Message edited 12/20/2005 9:30:04 AM.
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| Posted 12/20/05 9:29 AM |
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dpli
Daylight savings :)
Member since 5/05 13973 total posts
Name:
D
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Re: Post Your Feelings About the Strike.....
Posted by Redhead
I agree with the first paragraph but
the reason why they have all of that (goiod benefits, pensions etc) originally was because NOBODY wanted the sh!t jobs. So they use that to lure the people into these jobs...
IMO that isn't what people go to the jobs for specifically though.
Actually, I know many people who do take those types of jobs purely for the benefits. It is very enticing. And if it isn't the reason one takes the job in the first place, I think it is the reason most people stay.
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| Posted 12/20/05 9:31 AM |
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Redhead
You Live, You Learn
Member since 5/05 31871 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Post Your Feelings About the Strike.....
Posted by dpli
Posted by Redhead
I agree with the first paragraph but
the reason why they have all of that (goiod benefits, pensions etc) originally was because NOBODY wanted the sh!t jobs. So they use that to lure the people into these jobs...
IMO that isn't what people go to the jobs for specifically though.
Actually, I know many people who do take those types of jobs purely for the benefits. It is very enticing. And if it isn't the reason one takes the job in the first place, I think it is the reason most people stay.
I work for the state and i have to say that nobody here does it for the pension or benefits alone
I have had many family members that worked for the city as well....NONE taking jobs for those reasons ALONE
Message edited 12/20/2005 9:34:51 AM.
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| Posted 12/20/05 9:33 AM |
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Elbee
Zanzibar
Member since 5/05 10767 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Post Your Feelings About the Strike.....
Posted by dpli
Actually, I know many people who do take those types of jobs purely for the benefits. It is very enticing. And if it isn't the reason one takes the job in the first place, I think it is the reason most people stay.
I think the multiple benefits the #1 reason why people go on to be transit workers, sanitation workers, etc ... I could be wrong, but everyone I know who works these specific jobs are in it for the early retirement, the healthcare benefits and the pension plans.
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| Posted 12/20/05 9:34 AM |
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Leeners
:)
Member since 5/05 4898 total posts
Name:
Eileen
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Re: Post Your Feelings About the Strike.....
Posted by Elbee
Posted by dpli
Actually, I know many people who do take those types of jobs purely for the benefits. It is very enticing. And if it isn't the reason one takes the job in the first place, I think it is the reason most people stay.
I think the multiple benefits the #1 reason why people go on to be transit workers, sanitation workers, etc ... I could be wrong, but everyone I know who works these specific jobs are in it for the early retirement, the healthcare benefits and the pension plans.
100%!! What would the other reason be? 
While the transit workers and union come across right now as the bad guy, Kalikow is sitting pretty  It's the MTA that is off here, not the union. No one wants it to come to a strike but that is the ultimate bargaining chip. They postponed the strike for days and still nothing. The MTA is the most shoddily run organization in the state and now we're paying for it. Unfortunately, once again, they've managed to make someone else the scapegoat.
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| Posted 12/20/05 9:36 AM |
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dpli
Daylight savings :)
Member since 5/05 13973 total posts
Name:
D
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Re: Post Your Feelings About the Strike.....
Posted by Redhead
I work for the state and i have to say that nobody here does it for the pension or benefits alone
I have had many family members that worked for the sity as well....NONE taking jobs for those reasons ALONE
I have a union job and I know there are a lot of people here who took the job for the benefits/pension. Many of them only have a HS diploma and wouldn't have the job security and benefits that they have here. I have a professional position and the benefits are probably the main reason I stay here.
I also know several people who were in the restaurant business, who left for similar jobs - one with the MTA as a track worker, because as a chef, he never had benefits.
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| Posted 12/20/05 9:37 AM |
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Elbee
Zanzibar
Member since 5/05 10767 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Post Your Feelings About the Strike.....
just for the record, I'm not talking about professional jobs - ones that require degrees and education and those unions. I'm talking specifically about blue collar union jobs, ones that most of us would shy away from if given the choice.
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| Posted 12/20/05 9:40 AM |
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Aga
hello baby Albert
Member since 9/05 7750 total posts
Name:
Aga
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Re: Post Your Feelings About the Strike.....
I think maybe I am upset about this situation is because I cannot afford to stay at home this whole week waiting for them to come to agreement... I am not going to pretend - woohooo good for them, they get what they want but I lose my vacation days, I lose my pay, I lose what I deserve for working hard... sorry, I am not sympathetic at all...
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| Posted 12/20/05 9:40 AM |
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Redhead
You Live, You Learn
Member since 5/05 31871 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Post Your Feelings About the Strike.....
Posted by dpli
Posted by Redhead
I work for the state and i have to say that nobody here does it for the pension or benefits alone
I have had many family members that worked for the sity as well....NONE taking jobs for those reasons ALONE
I have a union job and I know there are a lot of people here who took the job for the benefits/pension. Many of them only have a HS diploma and wouldn't have the job security and benefits that they have here. I have a professional position and the benefits are probably the main reason I stay here.
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yes...i was looking at the situation differently...My bad
I agree the people who take these job are those who only have HS diplomas (IF THAT) and this is the best it is going to get for them...
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| Posted 12/20/05 9:41 AM |
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Elbee
Zanzibar
Member since 5/05 10767 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Post Your Feelings About the Strike.....
Posted by Redhead
I agree the people who take these job are those who only have HS diplomas (IF THAT) and this is the best it is going to get for them...
and they have families to support with those paychecks and various benefits.
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| Posted 12/20/05 9:42 AM |
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dpli
Daylight savings :)
Member since 5/05 13973 total posts
Name:
D
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Re: Post Your Feelings About the Strike.....
Posted by Elbee
just for the record, I'm not talking about professional jobs - ones that require degrees and education and those unions. I'm talking specifically about blue collar union jobs, ones that most of us would shy away from if given the choice.
That is what I thought you meant  In my job, we are all in the same union.
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| Posted 12/20/05 9:48 AM |
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Redhead
You Live, You Learn
Member since 5/05 31871 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Post Your Feelings About the Strike.....
But i am not sympathetic in the respect that if it is ILLEGAL....then it is ILLEGAL
If it is ok for anyone to strike....well i would be fearful what would happen to the elderly, the mentally retarded and the sick....of healthcare workers wnt on a strike now
They work everyday under the same conditions and GET LESS
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| Posted 12/20/05 10:01 AM |
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MrsS2005
Mom of 3
Member since 11/05 13118 total posts
Name:
B
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Re: Post Your Feelings About the Strike.....
The workers voted to authorize the strike. It wasn't the few union leaders who made this decision.
It's easy to blame the workers because they are the ones who went on strike. However, the MTA may have been able to prevent this. The union has tried to negotiate a deal with the MTA for months. The MTA has been dragging this out and hasn't really tried to negotiate a deal.
The MTA is the one with the power. The only bargaining power the union has is its ability to strike and/or slow down production. The Taylor Law, which makes it illegal for most public employees to strike, has severely reduced the union's bargaining power. The union and its workers are obviously willing to risk severe fines and jail time in order to get a contract that they believe is fair. From what I understand, pensions, raises, and health care are the big issues. The MTA wants to increase the retirement age and make new employees contribute towards their pensions.
For us commuters, this is the worst time for a strike. However, this is the best time for the union to strike b/c so many people are affected. Perhaps the MTA will take the union's demands more seriously if so many people are affected.
This is a no-win situation. Everyone is negatively affected by it. I don't think either side is 100% right, but I feel for the workers. There are many transit employees who have been without a contract for years. If there was no strike, the MTA would drag out the talks for a long time without any consequences. I know most people are quick to blame the employees and union, but try to think about what the MTA could've done to prevent this. The union has been asking the MTA to negotiate in good faith for months.
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| Posted 12/20/05 12:24 PM |
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Redhead
You Live, You Learn
Member since 5/05 31871 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Post Your Feelings About the Strike.....
Is having the innocent suffer really the objective here?
Are we a means to an end?
IMO tha tis WRONG
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| Posted 12/20/05 12:26 PM |
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MrsERod
Praying for Everyone.
Member since 5/05 26170 total posts
Name:
MrsERod™®
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Message edited 12/12/2006 8:11:34 AM.
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| Posted 12/20/05 12:31 PM |
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MrsS2005
Mom of 3
Member since 11/05 13118 total posts
Name:
B
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Re: Post Your Feelings About the Strike.....
Posted by Redhead
Is having the innocent suffer really the objective here?
Are we a means to an end?
IMO tha tis WRONG
I don't think making the innocent suffer is an objective. It's an unfortunate consequence of the conflict. The union feels the MTA has been bargaining in bad faith. The MTA is the one with the power. When you're in a service industry, and you want to gain bargaining power, one of the most effective ways to get this is to stop providing the services.
What would you do if you were in these workers' position? If you were an MTA employee who was without a contract and felt that the MTA's offer was unfair, wouldn't you consider striking?
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| Posted 12/20/05 12:40 PM |
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Redhead
You Live, You Learn
Member since 5/05 31871 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Post Your Feelings About the Strike.....
Posted by MrsS2005
Posted by Redhead
Is having the innocent suffer really the objective here?
Are we a means to an end?
IMO tha tis WRONG
I don't think making the innocent suffer is an objective. It's an unfortunate consequence of the conflict. The union feels the MTA has been bargaining in bad faith. The MTA is the one with the power. When you're in a service industry, and you want to gain bargaining power, one of the most effective ways to get this is to stop providing the services.
What would you do if you were in these workers' position? If you were an MTA employee who was without a contract and felt that the MTA's offer was unfair, wouldn't you consider striking?
Well IMO it is a means and it is wrong
Just like if the people with whom i work ...
If they were to strike a lot of people would feel that consequence...the disabled...
But should that be ok ....? Since they are underpaid...IMMENSELY
Message edited 12/20/2005 12:45:23 PM.
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| Posted 12/20/05 12:42 PM |
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DjPiLL
Member since 5/05 3664 total posts
Name:
Richard
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Re: Post Your Feelings About the Strike.....
I hope they fine the shyt out of the Union and all the employees.
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| Posted 12/20/05 12:44 PM |
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MrsERod
Praying for Everyone.
Member since 5/05 26170 total posts
Name:
MrsERod™®
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Re: Post Your Feelings About the Strike.....
Posted by DjPiLL
I hope they fine the shyt out of the Union and all the employees.
 PiLL - tell us how you REALLY feel!!! 
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| Posted 12/20/05 12:45 PM |
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DjPiLL
Member since 5/05 3664 total posts
Name:
Richard
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Re: Post Your Feelings About the Strike.....
Posted by MrsERod
Posted by DjPiLL
I hope they fine the shyt out of the Union and all the employees.
PiLL - tell us how you REALLY feel!!!
If the Union actually would have ACCEPTED the latest MTA deal... they STILL would have much better benefits than I get.
And they are saying they need to "feed their families". Give me a f*cking break.
Where is that violin when I need it.
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| Posted 12/20/05 12:46 PM |
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Aga
hello baby Albert
Member since 9/05 7750 total posts
Name:
Aga
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Re: Post Your Feelings About the Strike.....
yes, the rest of us dont need to feed our families
Message edited 12/20/2005 12:50:23 PM.
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| Posted 12/20/05 12:49 PM |
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