I think it puts panic into the general public and pressure onto the elevator companies to come back to the bargaining table. If anything I have more respect for elevator workers now, they keep shit moving.
That's definitely how I hope it's taken by the general public!
It looked like a sign that management had posted in solidarity with the elevator companies rather than with the workers themselves, so I figured it was meant to be taken cynically.
I've seen firemen seriously damage elevators cause they aren't properly trained to open them if something goes wrong. That turns into verify costly repairs and downtime. If I we're a building owner of turn them off than deal with damage.
I can see that in a rental building with a shitty landlord, but that's pretty bullshit IMHO. There's a lot of elderly / disabled people who can't climb stairs, or need groceries, etc.
I'm guessing this strike won't last long once they start breaking down.