1) This article from 2017 at https://www.metro.us/new-york/nyc-transit-workers-aim-for-sa... says:
> The contract for thousands of New York City transit workers expires in a few days, and union officials negotiating a new deal with the MTA are seeking salaries on par with other divisions the agency operates.
> The 44,000 transit workers affected by the collective bargaining agreement that expires Jan. 15 are hoping to receive more than the existing 2 percent pay increase,
2) This article from 2014 at https://nypost.com/2014/04/17/mta-workers-get-raises-under-n... says:
> A deal reached between the MTA and the Transport Workers Union will give unionized subway and bus employees 8 percent raises over five years — while sparing riders fare hikes.
> “We have a fair wage settlement but most importantly, no impact on fares,” said MTA boss Thomas Prendergast.
> Transit workers will get retroactive pay hikes of 1 percent for 2012 and 2013, followed by 2 percent increases in 2014, 2015 and 2016.
3) This article from 2010 at http://www.transitblogger.com/mta-finances/transit-workers-p... says:
> Despite recent fare hikes and the punishing recession, transit union officials argued that they deserve a 12% hike over three years, partly because city employees have received similar increases.
What is your source for a 6% raise per year? Is it for one year, or over a period of multiple years? Does it include a retrospective raise for a year where there was no salary increase? Does it include an increase in employee contributions to, for example, retirement or health care?
In any case, if it is 6% increase per year then it sounds like the union did a great job in negotiating, compared to previous years where they only managed to get 2-4% increases.
Wouldn't you want to have union representation which is that effective for your job? I would.
While what you said is interesting to read, none of it speaks to that point.