Regardless of whether a strike is called or a settlement is reached, the protracted labor negotiations over a contract for 33,700 subway and bus workers have highlighted one fact: Many workers feel they lack dignity and respect on the job. A survey released by Cornell University's School of Industrial and Labor Relations has provided considerable evidence that many workers feel mistreated and undervalued - which could push them toward greater militancy.
See "Little Dignity on the Job, Workers Say", Sewell Chen and Steven Greenhouse, The New York Times, December 18, 2005