By Jesse Russell

The two largest labor federations in the United States came out on Tuesday in support of the New York City transit strike. In his statement Sweeney said the workers are taking "a brave stand for future generations" by "holding the line against a separate and unequal retirement plan for people who will be hired in the future." Sweeney, a New Yorker, expressed his sympathy for the millions of people having to walk and seek alternative transportation. He called on them to remember that "the people who run" New York's transportation system "each and every day deserve...full support." Also expressing unity with the workers is Anna Burger, chairperson of the Change to Win Federation. In her statement she said the CTW stands behind the transit workers in their effort to preserve health care and retirement security. The judge that slapped a $1 million fine on the labor organizations conducting the strikes has also threatened the leaders of those unions with jail time. Even so, the AFL-CIO and Change to WIN have said all of their members stand in solidarity behind the workers for drawing a line in a America where fair wages, affordable health care and secure retirements are threatened.