That's fine, if it doesn't take away from the money available to pay teachers in cream puff out-of-classroom assignments looking to get paid more for their last year to boost their pension. That's why Bloomberg's "victory" in giving some teachers bonuses is paid for with private-sector money, and will disappear when the money does.

No, it's a loss for the union. The union represents the minority of teachers who are working the system, the retired, and those abou to retire.

The amount of money the City of New York has is finite. And that is where the union wants it to go.

If the city were to offer free metrocards, that would take money that could be used elsewhere, and thus be "unfair" to those who drive according to the union, who are also probably those with more seniority.

"But wait -- they ALREADY get a benefit while transit riders do not. Isn't that unfair?"

Yes to you and me, but not to them. If they already have it, it is their "right," to be taken for granted. That's why the AFL-CIO split, with the UFT on the wrong side. If you've already got health insurance, what will you pay or give up for everyone to have it? Nothing.

(And I'm no fan of the car-lovin' going on at the UFT either, by the way.)

I thought maybe it was just me, so I read it to a close friend (also a congestion pricing supporter) and she got a big laugh out of it too.

I'll send the both of us to re-education camp immediately!

The TWU did some good and did some evil. On the one hand I salute them for rejecting the two-tier contract, and accepting a little sacrifice for everyone instead.

But, regardless of what they said, a strike wasn't necessary to do this. They were striking for an even richer pension (20/50), which one of the two at-their-throats factions (New Directions) had promised and either had to get or had to prove it couldn't be got.

Unlike teachers, I'm prepared to accept an age 55 retirement for those in physically demanding jobs like many at NYCT. But having people retier at 50 after 20 years of work and then collect for 30 more -- that's just not right. And striking for it was evil.

But, good AND evil is an above average record for the past few decades.

That issue was at least hotly debated within TWU during the last contract go-round.

Not so easy if you live in Ronkonokoma.

But here is the point -- what is the value of that free parking? And why do those who carpool or use transit or walk receive lower compensation than those with free parking? (And why do younger teachers receive lower compensation relative to those who came before?)

Another point -- teacher turnover is bad, because green teachers are bad. I know lots of NYC teachers, and none of them have left for a job in the suburbs. Because it would increase their commute. While those in the suburbs leave as soon as they can. Because it reduces their commute.

Thus, those living in the city are worth more -- over and above their lower contribution to traffic. So why aren't they paid more?

The teachers living outside the city (unlike cops and firefighters) also don't pay the city tax. NYC teachers who live here do pay it. Of course the pensions for those in Florida are tax free.

So the issue here is some teachers and retired teachers vs. other teachers and schoolchildren.

(Just be glad she hasn't signed some of your important rights away.)

Well, I hope that when the real cost of the pension deal is revealed, at the pay of future teachers is proposed to be cut to $25K to fund it, you'll vote no.

Is there any union that has every rejected a better deal for those cashing in and moving out at the expense of future hires?

This may explain some of the ignorance.

ALL govt employees should be given free public transportation, and be REQUIRED to use it

and i know what u mean miss representation, its sickening

They all have placards that are clearly photocopied, and most have 2007 expirys (last time I walked by). One or two often park inside what looks like a playground.

The UFT doesn't represent teachers who carpool. It represents teachers who are retired and otherwise not teaching.

At the expense of children and future teachers.

And this issue is a mere footnote.

I know a lot of teachers that carpool. Placards for carpoolers first!