New York transit union president signs no-strike pledge

After it staged a three-day strike in December 2005, the union lost dues check-off as part of the sanctions imposed under New York State's anti-strike Taylor Law, which bars walkouts by public employees. In addition it was hit with a $2.5 million fine.

The court affidavit signed by Toussaint, states, "The Union does not assert the right to strike against any government, to assist or participate in any such strike, or to impose an obligation to conduct, assist, or participate in such a strike, and that the Union has no intention, now or in the future, of conducting, assisting, participating, or imposing an obligation to conduct, assist or participate in any such strike, or threatening to do so, against the plaintiffs or any governmental employer."

In return for Toussaint's no-strike pledge, New York State Supreme Court Judge Bruce Balter, on November 10, restored the union's dues check-off privilege, authorizing the transit agency to collect the dues money from each member's paycheck for deposit in the union's treasury. It is estimated that the total amount going to the union in dues is about $1.5 million a month.