NYC transit union chief turns surrender into protest

NEW YORK
The city's transit union chief on Monday began serving a 10-day sentence for leading last year's strike, entering a Manhattan lockup after marching across the Brooklyn Bridge with a boisterous group of supporters.

Roger Toussaint was walked to the door of the jail by the Rev. Al Sharpton and others.

The walkout crippled the city just before Christmas and violated a state law banning strikes by public employees.

''I stand here today because a judge has found me guilty of contempt of court,'' Toussaint said. ''The truth of the matter is that I have nothing but contempt for a system that gives employers a free rein to abuse workers.''