Godamn, shit-eating, fucking Unions!

[Weird Harold]

I had to reschedule lunch with Dillinger for tomorrow, because the local bus drivers are "on strike." I'm not sure exactly what kind of strike it is, though -- they don't have enough decency to just walk out and shut down the system until things are resolved, so people can actually make other plans.

Nope, these assholes are just taking time off whenever and wherever they feel like it, so you have no idea whether a particular bus route is running or not.

Being the nice father that I am, I let my daughter borrow my truck this week while her car was in for servicing. That left me with no alternative transportation when after waiting for an hour and fifteen minutes for a bus route that runs every fifteen and watching FOUR buses run in the opposite direction.

I'm not a big fan of unions to start with, but this attack on the livelyhood of people who depend on public transport really pisses me off! I just missed lunch with an online friend, but I stood at the bus stop with several people who were obviously on their way to work or had other urgent business.

I have no idea what the bus drivers' demands are that they're striking over, but this half-assed attack against the people who depend on public transport seems to me to be the wrong way to get anyone to sympathize with them.

Unions and collective bargaining do have a place in the scheme of things -- they have certainly been necessary evils in the past -- however, I don't think public service industries should be permitted to strike. If they are permitted to strike, then they should funking well Strike! -- not this half-assed disruption of a service that many people are dependent on to keep their jobs.

 

[RastaPope]

Unions suck and are totally outdated dinosaurs for people with no sense of personal responsibility. Don't like your job? Get a new one.

 

[mistressastra]

I used to be incredibly anti-union, UNTIL I got a taste of what our bosses started doing to us. Taking away benefits while demanding we work harder. No more 3 day weekends. More limited health care at a higher price. Ok so some people son't have cushy jobs like me, but what I started out with, I intend to keep and if walking off the job to make a point is required, so be it. The bosses will tell you to bend over and take what they've got unless you fight back. Soory if it inconveniences John Q Public and family. But MY family is at stake too.

 

[scylis]

Unions suck and are totally outdated dinosaurs for people with no sense of personal responsibility. Don't like your job? Get a new one.

unions often guarentee bonuses like health insurance, job security, vacation time, a dental plan, and much much more.

unions are often good things, but a handful are just pains in the ass. this one would seem to be a pain.

hi WH!

 

[The Gimp]

When 100% of the power to make decisions lies in the hands of management they will undoubtedly take advantage of their employeees. I don't know what's going on with these bus drivers and their union but I'm unionised and it's by far the best job I've ever had. With other jobs I've worked harder for less money and fewer benefits but now I'm paid what I'm worth.

 

[Problem Child]

Jesus Christ, Weird Harold ranted!

Somebody call Todd, the apocalypse is nigh!

 

[Sillyman]

You bitch now, but just think how much nicer it will be that your driver can afford to eat regularly and healthily when this is over so he doesn't go into diabetic coma while driving you.

 

[scylis]

Jesus Christ, Weird Harold ranted!

Somebody call Todd, the apocalypse is nigh!

*four large, sinister looking men; one in long, black robes and a cowl holding a scythe, one looking like a combination of a lepper, an ebola victem, and a Plague victem, one who lookes like an evil Chris Farley, and the last one an Arab wearing a turban toting an AK-47 with criss-crossing bands of ammo across his chest and an RPG (Rocket Propelled Grenade) on his back; ride recklessly through the thread on giant penises only slightly smaller than Dill's "whale"*

 

[Problem Child]

Scylis, you da man.

 

[Rhys]

It gets better

the Culinary Union is also threating to strike

which means

no food in the major hotels

I am getting my groceries now....

 

[Weird Harold]

It gets better

the Culinary Union is also threating to strike

Aren't they still on strike from the last time they tried to hold a Hotel for ransom?

 

[Weird Harold]

When 100% of the power to make decisions lies in the hands of management they will undoubtedly take advantage of their employeees.

100% of the power to make decisions hasn't been in the hands of the mnagement since the Great Depression and especially not since OSHA and it's ilk were formed. Unions were needed to get that kind of legislation passed, but they're dinosaurs, long past their turn for extinction.

I've worked one union job in my life, and worked with unionized employees on several other occasions. In my experience, unions do nothing except impede a workers ability to do a job efficiently, piling stupid rules on top of stupid rule with a philosophy of ironclad adherence to their stupid work rules "that we've fought so hard to gain."

I'm gald you're happy with your cushy, featherbedded, union job, but I can't work under those conditions.

 

[Problem Child]

Socialists really dig unions. Ask REDWAVE.

 

[Weird Harold]

if walking off the job to make a point is required, so be it. The bosses will tell you to bend over and take what they've got unless you fight back. Soory if it inconveniences John Q Public and family. But MY family is at stake too.

If they had just walked of the job to make a point, I wouldn't be nearly as pissed. Considering the CAT bus drivers are making far more than minimum wage, I doubt very much that their families are going to starve if their demands aren't met -- I don't even think they're striking over pay; they're striking over benefits or stupid work rules that inhibit efficiency.

I wouldn't even be upset if the strike affected John Q. Public and family across the board. However, this strike only affects those who depend on public transportation -- the minimum wage, non-union, POOR people. People who need their weekly pychecks a whole lot more than well paid union workers with fat benefits packages on top of bloated wages.

 

[RastaPope]

You know...


Every job I've ever had I signed a document and understood what my pay was, when I got paid, how many vacation/sick days I had, and when and how raises and bonuses were distributed, along with working conditions. Signing the document meant I understood and agreed.

What about that don't these union fucks get? "Oh, I want a raise now, not in 8 months like I'm supposed to. Hey guys, let's all refuse to work until they give us something we haven't earned!"

Now, unions were important back in the day. And maybe even in some jobs now that I can't fathom. But, you take a job, you agree to work on the conditions and such that are laid out for you. OF COURSE management and corporate are making money off of you. That's just how it goes. If you don't like it, fucking leave and get a real job where a union isn't needed. Probably something where you aren't doing blue collar work. Not that I have a problem with blue collars, but they know damned well what they're getting into.


But then, I guess it's all the American Way. Make money off of people. Bitch and moan till you get your way. Corruption.

 

[GuyJD]

I had to reschedule lunch with Dillinger for tomorrow, because the local bus drivers are "on strike." I'm not sure exactly what kind of strike it is, though -- they don't have enough decency to just walk out and shut down the system until things are resolved, so people can actually make other plans.

Nope, these assholes are just taking time off whenever and wherever they feel like it, so you have no idea whether a particular bus route is running or not.

I currently work for the transit here and I have to disagree with you. They're not on strike just to get a few days off. Trust me, we DON'T get paid when we're on strike.

The fact is that if the union members do not agree with the terms of the renewed contract, they have the right to strike. For example, if the company chose to pay the drivers 33% less of their salaries immediately after the beginning of the renewed contract, the drivers may disagree and begin to strike. Eventhough the current drivers' salaries will not change any, the newly hired drivers will be affected by that contract.

I'm not a bus driver but they were on strike back in October, 2000 and it delayed my hiring process in December of that year. I dread for that to happen again because, eventhough my job is not part of their union, we must honor the strike when they strike. So far, our contract comes up for bidding in this coming September and theirs come in December. I can only hope and pray that it all goes well.

 

[APhil]

Myself, If I were the mayor of a city (or even the Pres, back when MLB was on strike), I'd find replacements.

"Bus drivers on strike? How many public schools are there?"

"Major League Baseball on strike? How many AAA teams are there?"

I'm one of those people who can make something work without unions. I don't like 'em, don't need 'em. But I'll be forced to join one when I get my license.

 

[BigDawg69]

Being a true southern boy where "union" is a four letter word uttered only in vain, I agree with my enraged, if not "wierd" friend. The "Right to Work" states (i.e. Florida) have it right. Unions are welcome (sort of) but you don't have to be in one to get work. Want to be an electrician without dealing with the IBEW (which actually is a good union, can't believe I said that) in Florida you can work. Not a union member and live in New York nobody can hire you. WTF? I though unions were supposed to help the worker not prevent them from getting a job?

Agreed that back in the day unions served a purpose to get necessary legislation and Federal agancies in place. Now those agencies are in place. Not to mention that asking the big bad company to give raises, lower insurance costs, provide more benefit time can cripple the company. Do you want a job or do you want food stamps because your company couldn't compete on the global market?

My company is one of the best as far as "soft" benefits go. But every contract since I got hired has gotten steadily worse. There also has been a steady decrease in our stock value, and a rise in operating costs. Business exists to make money. They are not there to provide you with a job, or health insurance. They are not there to provide a service or product. They are there for money and the more the better. More money means more benefits, less money means less benefits. Perhaps instead of making it harded for the company to make money, it would be more helpful if workers helped make more money.

Dunno just a thought.

 

[Cheyenne]

We have multiple locations and the unions are always trying to talk the workers into joining up. They promise the moon, and they can't deliver. It's called "contract negotiation" and everything they ask for is not handed to them on a silver platter!

The NON-union employees are actually better off. They get better raises, they can participate in more benefit plans (bonuses, 401(k), etc.) which are NOT offered to the union members, etc. Eventually the people who voted for the unions figure that out and tend to vote the unions right back out the door.

 

[GuyJD]

In my personal opinion and experience, a union job may be okay. But it's no where near as good as a Civil Service job.

We have too many guys who come to work "only for the paycheck'. They avoid work as much as they possibly can. I tell them all that they should get on their knees and thank the great Lord for their job because if they were Civil Service workers, they would be fired quickly (with or without a disciplinary hearing).

 

[red_rose]

Why didn't Dillinger pick you up in his limo?

 

[Weird Harold]

Why didn't Dillinger pick you up in his limo?

I guess it's bcause the company he works for didn't provide him with one.

Originally postd by GuyJD
I currently work for the transit here and I have to disagree with you. They're not on strike just to get a few days off. Trust me, we DON'T get paid when we're on strike.

Guy, I don't believe I even implied that they are on strike "just to get a few days off." I'm sur they feel they have a legitimate greivance -- however, their method of striking makes traveling about this city without owning a car difficult and is probably costing a few innocent people their jobs because they rely on public transportation.

If they just walked out I wouldn't be nearly as upset as I am over them "pretending" to continue bus service.

 

[riff]

I am in a teacher's union. $35 a month, gives me $1,000,000.00 of liablilty coverage and defense if I am sues by a parent looking for free money.

 

[Guest]

In my personal opinion and experience, a union job may be okay. But it's no where near as good as a Civil Service job.

I have a civil service job and sit on the executive board of my union. Management would rather take away from us than give us fair pay raises and benefits. And that's all we want. Fairness! I expect the same contractual pay raises that any other firefighter in my area gets. If the going rate is 4%, we would settle for 3 1/2 for 3 years. We are not greedy. We are sick of being shit on. We aren't allowed to strike nor are police officers. We wouldn't strike because it would be unethical and unsafe for the public that we protect. We care about the safety and property of the public. Shouldn't management care about us? Last contract we gave up our personal days for a shift change that management suggested.
It's not want, want, want. It's fair, fair, fair!

Oh and Rastapope, I hope you never get trapped in a fire because it's those goddamn blue collar union firefighters that are going to have to drag your ass out!

1hotjob-UNION and proud of it!! I.A.F.F.

 

[1hotjob]

Shit!!!!!!
That was me above.