Justice Robert A. Lifson, who issued the order, said that if the walkout continued, he would fine the union $1 million a day if the state could show that the union had not done all it could to end it, and would fine each striker $1,000 a day.
The gesture looks rude, but its meaning is fine: the union of earthly and spiritual realities.
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg said the city had asked a State Supreme Court justice to fine the union $1 million on the first day of the strike, doubling the fine every day thereafter.
The ability to fine individual union members for each day they strike, a power some other states lack, is a particularly effective threat, scholars said.
In its suit, the city asked a State Supreme Court justice to fine the union $1 million on the first day of a strike and to double the fine every day afterward.
Mr. Suozzi said he intended to bring the case before a state panel, the Public Employment Relations Board, and to discipline the officers or fine the union if the board determined that the law had been broken.
Andrew Strauss used to be a fine rugby union fly-half as a student at Durham University, with "a prodigious left boot – a real howitzer – a silky set of hips for the big guy he actually is, plus great hands", according to the coach who tried unsuccessfully to persuade him to give up his cricket 15 years or so ago.
A federal judge subsequently fined the union $45 million after American went to court.
They have learned it is hard to compete with the name recognition of incumbents and a fine-tuned union machine.
The court also took overt actions, issuing decisions in cases concerning drug sentences, corporate fines and union dues.
