The three-day New York City transit strike is over and the Transport Workers Union has agreed to go back to the bargaining table.

When the contract talks are through, Metropolitan Transportation Authority should immediately begin investigating upgrading the subway system to replace all train drivers with automated systems. A number of other cities have proven such systems workable, and there’s no reason why the largest subway system in the world should be vulnerable to another shutdown by an egomaniacal union boss. The taxpayers of New York should not be expected to underwrite the salaries of people whose jobs can be done more cheaply, efficiently and without complaint by machines. We are already the most heavily-taxed citizenry in the country.

If the TWU rank-and-file has any wisdom, they’d replace Roger Toussaint as their president. In his press conferences, Toussaint spent most of his time whining about not getting enough respect from the MTA, yet he showed New Yorkers about as much respect as a dog does to a fire hydrant. And in a few short days, he made himself the most hated man in New York City and managed to turn this liberal city into an anti-union town.

I’m sure there are many decent, responsible members of the TWU who disagreed with his tactics and were embarrassed by his antics. They need to make their voices heard, or the damage to their union will be irreparable. This ill will won’t dissipate soon.