School bus drivers walking off on strike???

[darrose]

I think ONCE the bus drivers have driven the children to school they have a responsiblity to bring them back home. After they get the children home OR maybe before they take the children to school is the time IMHO to start the strike.
I feel the union who is organizing the strike should also be held accountable for the safety of children and not even consider striking while the kids are in school and might not have a safe way home.

 

[Free4Life11]

I'm tired of the attitude that says workers should be grateful they're getting a paycheck at all, and that if they strike, call down some more disposable serfs from the countryside to replace them.
My husband goes on strike every four years like clockwork, not because he wants to hold the caring corporation he works for hostage, but because that lovely corporation consistantly wants to strip them of their benefits. Of course, while they're taking away things like pensions and health care, the CEO is giving himself a multi-million dollar christmas bonus.
I'm happy everytime I see a strike, and support it all the way.

Totally agree with you! Enough with workers getting screwed. I applaud them for standing up to the "management" (boy do I HATE that word!)

I dunno MouseWorshipin, something tells me that I shouldn't mess around with waste water treatment, electricity or nuclear energy.

Yup.

I think it's pointless to even try and say which jobs are important. I think it's like comparing apples and oranges. All jobs are important in their own ways to each person. Yeah someone with a heart condition might value doctors more than someone who is healthy. And someone with kids might value teachers more than someone without kids.

 

[C.Ann]

Actually, I'd describe it more as "hold people hostage until the ransom is paid."

And how long would/could the strike last? And how many people would be complaining if their doctor (since we're talking about doctors) had to keep canceling appointments to go get their children...day after day, possibly week after week, maybe even month after month? An endless strike HARDLY compares with picking up a sick child at school a few times, or getting someone else to.

Someone who makes a "DUHHH!" comment should hardly be jumping up and down about a supposed personal attack.

JMHO...of course. I would ASSUME that in California, if you're not paying taxes for transportation for your kids, then you will have made arrangements for them from the beginning. Paying your taxes, and then having a service that you've relied on...oh, is relying on a service you paid for BAD???...taken away, IS an inconvenience...a HUGE one. But it certainly is SO nice to see how many DISers would just go with the flow without compaint...as always.

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Haven't read all of the posts yet, but I got this far - with my jaw dropping to the floor over the ridiculous comments - and just had to say that I agree with the post above 100%..

And I will also go so far as to say that unions cause more problems than they solve..

 

[MouseWorshipin]

If you could simply fire workers that go on strike, what would the point of unions be?

To con money from hard working people, many of whom don't make much to begin with, by scaring them into believing that you care about them and will protect them from the Big Bad Corporate Wolf?

To demand that companies pay X amount of dollars and keep X amount of jobs on the payroll until the company gives up and does it overseas, then scurrying away when everyone is out of work?

I realize there was a day in America where Unions accomplished things that need to be accomplished. Now they are just getting rich off people who work hard, but that's ending, too. They are hanging themselves with their own ropes.

 

[MouseWorshipin]

I dunno MouseWorshipin, something tells me that I shouldn't mess around with waste water treatment, electricity or nuclear energy.

I'd rather have food and medical care than nuclear energy.

 

[Cor44432]

The strike is over, so people can stop their bashing now.

2nd, did anyone bother to read about this before commenting?? These
bus drivers were NOT part of any union when they went on strike, although
they did contact the Teamsters to try and organize because they felt their
concerns about the safety of the buses and the sanitary conditions
on some of the buses were not being heard.

So I guess if takes organizing into union membership to get your voices
heard about health and safety is what it takes, then you do what you have
to do.
We've seen this before, corporate interests superceding health and safety....
can one say "Sago coal mine" in West Virginia.

 

[shortbun]

Hmmm. Where is the personal attack? Just stating that physicians can't exactly walk out in the middle of surgery, or seeing a room full of patients.

Because it sure seemed like you were under the impression that we could.

As a school bus driver and a union member, I have often wondered why my doctor makes me wait so long as salesperson after salesperson goes in and out of her office. I have to see her between driving children to school and she never seems to be respectful of my time nor the children who are counting on me to come for them. Her staff doesn't even think my job is worthy of changing their rigid rules of exactly when physicals start nor do they think it's important to open their office on time. One of them actually told me the other day that they open when the "doctors wander in." hmmmmm
We all have important jobs and if we have to take serious steps to make people understand JUST how important we are(seems like you get THAT part) then...we will.

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

I'm tired of the attitude that says workers should be grateful they're getting a paycheck at all, and that if they strike, call down some more disposable serfs from the countryside to replace them.
My husband goes on strike every four years like clockwork, not because he wants to hold the caring corporation he works for hostage, but because that lovely corporation consistantly wants to strip them of their benefits. Of course, while they're taking away things like pensions and health care, the CEO is giving himself a multi-million dollar christmas bonus.
I'm happy everytime I see a strike, and support it all the way.

I drive for First Student and I hope they bring the Teamsters all the way to New Hampshire. Our working conditions are lousy. The only reason I drive for them is because of my son. I drive for his school and he is special needs and I can work around his hospital and dr. visits. Where we are, we have nothing from the school and nothing from First Student. We have brand new 2006 busses though so maybe there is hope.

 

[MouseWorshipin]

As a school bus driver and a union member, I have often wondered why my doctor makes me wait so long as salesperson after salesperson goes in and out of her office. I have to see her between driving children to school and she never seems to be respectful of my time nor the children who are counting on me to come for them. Her staff doesn't even think my job is worthy of changing their rigid rules of exactly when physicals start nor do they think it's important to open their office on time. One of them actually told me the other day that they open when the "doctors wander in." hmmmmm
We all have important jobs and if we have to take serious steps to make people understand JUST how important we are(seems like you get THAT part) then...we will.

That is the beauty part of choice. If you don't like your doctor, fire her. Get a new one. Not all doctors make people wait on a regular basis.

 

[declansdad]

To con money from hard working people, many of whom don't make much to begin with, by scaring them into believing that you care about them and will protect them from the Big Bad Corporate Wolf?

To demand that companies pay X amount of dollars and keep X amount of jobs on the payroll until the company gives up and does it overseas, then scurrying away when everyone is out of work?

I realize there was a day in America where Unions accomplished things that need to be accomplished. Now they are just getting rich off people who work hard, but that's ending, too. They are hanging themselves with their own ropes.

I still don't understand why you say they are conning people.

Again, unions are not only about getting more money for people

Question for you. Would it be ok to fire you from your job simply because you didn't show up or left in the middle of the day without permission?

 

[MAKmom]

Well that is why each parent is suppossed to have a "back-up" plan (neighbor, relative, etc). Don't you fill that out on an emergency form at the beginning of the school year? I mean, if you were to get a call at work that your child was sick at school, you would need to have someone to pick him/her up.

 

[MAKmom]

I dunno MouseWorshipin, something tells me that I shouldn't mess around with waste water treatment, electricity or nuclear energy.

 

[shortbun]

That is the beauty part of choice. If you don't like your doctor, fire her. Get a new one. Not all doctors make people wait on a regular basis.

Believe me, I have looked around and asked around. The good ones are "not taking any new patients at this time." I am ALWAYS listening and looking for a new doc. When I DO get in to see my physicians, they are great diagnosticians and in general do good work. It's their lack of respect for my time and their staff's indifference that I really hate. Inconveniencing people WAS the topic of this thread and my point was that all professions have their bad points.

 

[C.Ann]

Again, unions are not only about getting more money for people

Question for you. Would it be ok to fire you from your job simply because you didn't show up or left in the middle of the day without permission?

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Ahhh - yes.. Why would it "not" be okay to fire someone when they simply don't show up for work or they leave in the middle of the day without permission? If you're saying that's what unions are "good" for then they're even worse than I thought..

My son-in-law just fired someone last week because for the second time in a month he just "didn't show up for work".. That's unacceptable behavior in the workplace..

 

[MouseWorshipin]

Question for you. Would it be ok to fire you from your job simply because you didn't show up or left in the middle of the day without permission?

Of course!! People ought to get fired for that stuff.

I'm a nurse. If I left in the middle of the day, I would:

1. Be Fired for abandonment.
2. Lose my license (almost certainly), so I couldn't work ANYWHERE again.
3. Be brought up on criminal & civil charges (possibly)

Plus, the nurses left behind can't be in 2 places at once. There's the chance someone could take a turn for the worse & nobody would notice, or take appropriate action, or call a doctor. So:

4. Someone could die. (which is the worst)

But even before I was a nurse, I did my job. When I didn't like where I worked (and I once worked for a guy who screamed, yelled, and threw things at people - women, actually. He didn't hire men, cause they'd have clocked him), I didn't whine or cry. I (gasp!) went out and got myself a new job and more money.

 

[declansdad]

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Ahhh - yes.. Why would it "not" be okay to fire someone when they simply don't show up for work or they leave in the middle of the day without permission? If you're saying that's what unions are "good" for then they're even worse than I thought..

My son-in-law just fired someone last week because for the second time in a month he just "didn't show up for work".. That's unacceptable behavior in the workplace..

Second time is the key here. Unless your labour laws are completely different in the US, you can't just fire someone. Even without unions employees have some protection.

I didn't say that that is what unions are good for, I asked if mouseWorshipin would apply the same logic to a non-union employee.

Of course!! People ought to get fired for that stuff.

I'm a nurse. If I left in the middle of the day, I would:

1. Be Fired for abandonment.
2. Lose my license (almost certainly), so I couldn't work ANYWHERE again.
3. Be brought up on criminal & civil charges (possibly)

Plus, the nurses left behind can't be in 2 places at once. There's the chance someone could take a turn for the worse & nobody would notice, or take appropriate action, or call a doctor. So:

4. Someone could die. (which is the worst)

But even before I was a nurse, I did my job. When I didn't like where I worked (and I once worked for a guy who screamed, yelled, and threw things at people - women, actually. He didn't hire men, cause they'd have clocked him), I didn't whine or cry. I (gasp!) went out and got myself a new job and more money.

Again, if your situation is similar to nurses in Canada, the contract you work under would set up the rules that you are quoting above. In many areas of Canada professions such as nurse, doctors, police officers and fire fighters are deemed essentials services. If they haven't given up the right to strike in favour of binding arbitration, they are still required to maintain a certain level of service.

Other professions are allowed to strike if they follow the proper procedures as outlined in their collective agreement and the labour laws that apply to them. So if these bus drivers were in a legal strike position and followed the rules, they should be allowed to walk off the job. If they didn't follow the laws and regulations then I agree with your point that they should be disciplined but not just because they are in a union.

 

[C.Ann]

Second time is the key here. Unless your labour laws are completely different in the US, you can't just fire someone. Even without unions employees have some protection..

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New York State is an "at will" state - which means they can fire you for nothing if they choose to.. And people who don't show up for work (without calling in with a valid reason) or leave without permission, should be fired - whether it's the 1st time or not.. When you accept a position you are expected to be there.. Pretty simple..

 

[MouseWorshipin]

Second time is the key here. Unless your labour laws are completely different in the US, you can't just fire someone. Even without unions employees have some protection.

I didn't say that that is what unions are good for, I asked if mouseWorshipin would apply the same logic to a non-union employee.



Again, if your situation is similar to nurses in Canada, the contract you work under would set up the rules that you are quoting above. In many areas of Canada professions such as nurse, doctors, police officers and fire fighters are deemed essentials services. If they haven't given up the right to strike in favour of binding arbitration, they are still required to maintain a certain level of service.

Other professions are allowed to strike if they follow the proper procedures as outlined in their collective agreement and the labour laws that apply to them. So if these bus drivers were in a legal strike position and followed the rules, they should be allowed to walk off the job. If they didn't follow the laws and regulations then I agree with your point that they should be disciplined but not just because they are in a union.

The logic applies to everyone!

Nobody should pay you for work you don't do and if you refuse to work you oughtta be fired. Don't like your j-o-b? Go get a new one.

Frankly, I pay stupid union dues. I hate it. I hate that taxes come out, and I hate it that Union crap comes out. I work hard for my money. I earn it. But everyone else takes it and tells me that it is for my own good, they're doing me some kind of God-blessed FAVOR by taking my money.

Thanks, but no thanks. I can take care of myself.

I think I'm going to have to agree to disagree and give up on this. I was kind of PMSing when I got into it all, and having a bad day on top of it. Everyone is entitled to their opinion...even if it is wrong (JOKE!).

I'm sorry to everyone for my snarky-ness (non-now#10, of course.) I stand by the general gist of my statements, but could have been nicer. I'm usually nicer. Sorry!

 

[Cor44432]

I'm guessing it would not be in the best interest of this company
to just "fire" these drivers. I'd imagine the pool of people capable of
replacing them is not very deep, with the huge responsibility, average
pay at best, and not so great working conditions (which is what this whole
thing was about....not money).
What's missing from this whole conversation is the outcry from people that
the company managing the busses is lacking in safety. If I were a parent in
this district, and I knew the busses were not safe and/or clean, I'd be right
there with the bus drivers demanding some changes from the corporate arm.

 

[declansdad]

The logic applies to everyone!

Nobody should pay you for work you don't do and if you refuse to work you oughtta be fired. Don't like your j-o-b? Go get a new one.

Frankly, I pay stupid union dues. I hate it. I hate that taxes come out, and I hate it that Union crap comes out. I work hard for my money. I earn it. But everyone else takes it and tells me that it is for my own good, they're doing me some kind of God-blessed FAVOR by taking my money.

Thanks, but no thanks. I can take care of myself.

I think I'm going to have to agree to disagree and give up on this. I was kind of PMSing when I got into it all, and having a bad day on top of it. Everyone is entitled to their opinion...even if it is wrong (JOKE!).

No offence taken (for me anyway). I just like to debate.

I never thought I would change your opinions and in fact I am not a big supporter of unions either. I think they were once needed a great deal and are still needed in some situations. My biggest beef is when you have a union like the Canadian Auto Workers here in Canada that has become involved in industries that are no way related to the auto industry. IMO, this is a power grab by the union leadership and on this point I think we agree.



I'm sorry to everyone for my snarky-ness (non-now#10, of course.) I stand by the general gist of my statements, but could have been nicer. I'm usually nicer. Sorry!

I know I took no offence, I simply like to debate. In fact I am not a big supporter of unions either. I do believe, however, that in some situations they are still needed.

My biggest beef is with the national and international unions that get involved in areas that have nothing to do with the area in which they were originally set up. I agree that this is nothing more than a power grab by the union leadership.