Striking Runners Demand Shorter Hours, Better Running Conditions
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main image via depositphotos.com
Runners across the nation are on strike, Dumb Runner has learned, protesting long hours, poor running conditions, and “way too long” long runs.
Last-minute negotiations last night failed to avert the strike, which began today at 6 a.m. Eastern.
“We have perfectly reasonable demands,” said Norma Rae Webster, 36, a spokesperson for the striking runners. “Effective immediately, we are on strike until those demands are met.”
Those demands include better weather, fewer early morning runs, and a 24% reduction in marathon length, phased in over three years.
The strike, being described as a “run stoppage,” means that runners will not run; walking, skipping, bounding, and even jogging are still allowed. It comes on the heels of successful strikes by labor groups as diverse as the United Auto Workers and the Screen Actors Guild, among others.
Striking runners told Dumb Runner that they’re confident they will prevail.
“We have the power, and we’ll remain on strike for as long as it takes,” said Reuben Warshowsky, 53, a longtime runner at a local picket line. “And we are fed up with having to run in extreme cold and extreme heat, in the rain, in the snow. We’re fed up with the lousy hours. We’re fed up with long runs that are just way too long.”
Warshowsky then joined his fellow runners in chanting, “One, two, three, four—we won’t do our runs no more!”
Representatives for running could not be reached for comment.
