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To the editor:
In September, The Chief ran a story about the Transit Workers Union opposing a bill that would ban horse carriages. Most recently, I see that many unions are siding with Mayor Eric Adams trying to get the City Council to force city retirees into a retirement plan that they don’t want.
I support unions, but not unequivocally. They need to be held accountable for their questionable positions. Their management needs to stop acting like they control the world.
The TWU is not made up of equine experts — yet they oppose transitioning horse carriage drivers to beautiful horseless carriages like they have in several cities around the globe. This new business would make the drivers more income because they would not have to pay for horse care, and they would not be restricted by weather regulations. Because there is a possibility for expanded street coverage, union membership would increase considerably — meaning more dues. Yet the union opposed it. Why?
This is a very small industry and the “members” of the union consist of both owners and non-owners with no benefits. That’s not my definition of a union.
I think the union owes the people of NYC an explanation. Please remember that 71 percent of city residents polled want this cruel and exploitative business to be banned.
Marie Richardson
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