By Jesse Russell

Trains and buses in New York City are still at a standstill this morning as a transit strike continues. Although the strike is a technically a violation of a law that prohibits strike action against New York transit, the Transportation Workers Union says workers are tired of being "under-appreciated and disrespected" by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

TWU President Roger Toussaint called on New Yorkers stranded by the strike to try and understand what the workers are fighting for:

[Toussaint]: New Yorkers this is a fight over whether hard work will be rewarded with a decent retirement. This is a fight over dignity and respect on the job.

Transit workers usually have a starting pay of $35,000 in a city where the cost of living is twice the national average.