Stiiiiiiiiiiiiiiirrrrrrrrrrrrrrriiiiiiiiiiiiiiike! !!

[stiller fan]

Turnpike warns of Wednesday toll-taker walkout
Says highway will remain open on busiest travel day
Monday, November 22, 2004

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The head of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission today warned travelers that toll takers and other workers could strike on Wednesday, which is the day before Thanksgiving and traditionally the busiest day of the year on the pike.


"We do not want to cause alarm, but all indications are that the union may be considering some type of a labor action on Wednesday," Chief Executive Officer Joe Brimmeier said in a press release. "We expect 650,000 cars and trucks will use the turnpike on the day before Thanksgiving, and we wanted to give travelers advance notice of the chance of a work disruption."


Brimmeier said the road will remain open, but he cautioned that travelers may want to leave earlier and allow extra trip time.


About 2,000 union employees have been working without a contract since Sept. 30, 2003. The most recent talks ended last Monday.


Brimmeier said the latest offer by the commission includes fully paid healthcare and annual pay increases.


If there is a work stoppage, all traffic would be able to travel on the turnpike for free on Wednesday.

After that, all passenger vehicles would be charged $2 regardless of distance traveled and commercial vehicles would be charged a $15 flat rate. E-Z Pass customers would pay the exact amount of their tolls up to the $2 and $15 maximums.


Extra state police will be stationed at toll plazas in case of a strike

[stillerfanswife]

this is a Godsend to all those drivers out there!!! :angel: :thmsup:

[stiller fan]

only in PA though.....now, too bad that they won't lower gas prices that much...if so, i would be on my way home right now!!!! :D

[stillerfanswife]

yeah really!!!:D

[stiller fan]

found out that they are on strike!!!! no tools being collected today, and starting at midnight tonight, 2 dollar maximum for cars!!!! :drink: :drink: :banana: :banana: :jumping: :jumping: :jumping: :jumping: :jumping: :yes: :grouphug: :) ;) :cool: :D :thmsup: :lmao: :jumping: :jumping: :jumping: :jumping: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :wave: :wave: :wave: :wave: :drink: :drink: :grouphug: :grouphug: :up: :yes: :) :D :blah: :blah: :blah: :jumping: :jumping: :jumping:

[stiller fan]

Pennsylvania Turnpike workers go on strike; tolls waived for today
Wednesday, November 24, 2004

By Dan Robrish, The Associated Press


PHILADELPHIA - Toll collectors on the Pennsylvania Turnpike went on strike early this morning, just as Americans were hitting the road for Thanksgiving.


The strike was announced by union leaders. Anticipating a walkout, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission decided to waive tolls today and have nonunion employees staff tollbooths tomorrow.


Negotiations have been rocky between turnpike officials and unions representing toll collectors, maintenance workers and office employees.


In a joint statement, Teamsters locals 77 and 250 said managers refused to meet with union leaders last night, saying members should simply accept management's offer.


"We truly regret the inconvenience to the traveling public, but everyone should remember that we were left with no realistic alternatives," according to a statement released by two Teamsters locals.


Management described its offer made Nov. 15 as generous and criticized union leaders for not sending it to the membership for a vote. Management issued a statement Monday saying the offer includes a fully paid health care package as well as annual pay increases. It did not say how large the increases were.


The union's statement said management was offering less with each successive proposal and accused turnpike officials of trying to provoke a strike.


Union members had been working under the terms of a contract that expired Sept. 30, 2003.


A turnpike spokeswoman could not be reached for comment; her voice mail said she was taking today off and would not return until Monday.

[stillerfanswife]

Originally posted by stiller fan
found out that they are on strike!!!! no tools being collected today, and starting at midnight tonight, 2 dollar maximum for cars!!!! :drink: :drink: :banana: :banana: :jumping: :jumping: :jumping: :jumping: :jumping: :yes: :grouphug: :) ;) :cool: :D :thmsup: :lmao: :jumping: :jumping: :jumping: :jumping: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :wave: :wave: :wave: :wave: :drink: :drink: :grouphug: :grouphug: :up: :yes: :) :D :blah: :blah: :blah: :jumping: :jumping: :jumping:

wow they collect tools instead of money on the turnpike? ;)

[stiller fan]

HAHAHA, very funny.... ;) :D :lmao:

i have seen hammers and screwdriver....some of them are craftsman brand....lol

[stiller fan]

ohio TP workers may go on strike next....wait and see i guess.... :wave: