School bus drivers walking off on strike???

[momof2inPA]

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.

They sound like heroes fighting for better conditions for themselves and the kids, not the villains Debin Iowa made them out to be. And you are right, it isn't easy finding people with CDL's willing to make bus company wages.

 

[momof2inPA]

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.

They usually consolidate to have a larger strike fund in case there is a big strike. In the smaller industries, if one plant goes out for any length of time, a union can deplete all of its resources. The larger strike fund, means more leverage. They usually keep the same personnel, that have the same experience in the particular industry of the original union(s).

 

[Duckfan-in-Chicago]

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!

You are the one complaining about the union dues, and the union job, while in your own post you say if you don't like it get another job, quit it. So why don't you follow your own advice, quit your union job, and take care of yourself, like you say you can? Wouldn't that eliminate all of these headaches in your life?

 

[MouseWorshipin]

You are the one complaining about the union dues, and the union job, while in your own post you say if you don't like it get another job, quit it. So why don't you follow your own advice, quit your union job, and take care of yourself, like you say you can? Wouldn't that eliminate all of these headaches in your life?

I never, ever complained about my job. I'm a nurse and I love it. If the country fell apart and I couldn't get paid, I'd still do the work for free. And that's the truth. Ask anyone who knows me, they'd tell you. I enjoy it, and am proud of what I do.

And believe me you, if the Unions disappeared tomorrow, I'd still be a nurse. There'd still be sick people, doctors, hospitals, and nurses. Nobody NEEDS the Union to exist except the Union guys themselves, who make their livings off of other people's hard work. I'd do just fine without them. Everything would be the same except that I'd get more money. Of course, it isn't like I do it for the money...we couldn't afford the kitchen alone based on what I make! Maybe a bathroom!

And, no, it wouldn't eliminate all the headaches in my life. Like finding Liquid Calgon. That is a headache...not all the stores stock it. I love that stuff, and am always running around trying to find it and buying out the shelf when I do. Then I have to store it all somewhere until the next time I'm running out. It's a vicious cycle, I tell you! Some kind of Liquid Calgon Conspiracy!

 

[momof2inPA]

I never, ever complained about my job. I'm a nurse and I love it. If the country fell apart and I couldn't get paid, I'd still do the work for free. And that's the truth. Ask anyone who knows me, they'd tell you. I enjoy it, and am proud of what I do.

And believe me you, if the Unions disappeared tomorrow, I'd still be a nurse. There'd still be sick people, doctors, hospitals, and nurses. Nobody NEEDS the Union to exist except the Union guys themselves, who make their livings off of other people's hard work. I'd do just fine without them. Everything would be the same except that I'd get more money. Of course, it isn't like I do it for the money...we couldn't afford the kitchen alone based on what I make! Maybe a bathroom!

Believe it or not, I know a lot of union guys who aren't in it for the money either. They work 70 hours a week for much less than they could make in private industry. I know one guy who has never turned in his expenses, in over 20 years, and he travels a lot. They do it because they believe in helping their fellow workers. The nurses at the hospital near us just voted in the union two years ago, after having their votes not recognized. Anyway, they need a union and that hospital needs a cleaning service- yuk! There are people who do NEED a union and can't rely upon the generosity and fairness of their employers, who aren't always fair or honest, believe it or not. I shudder to think what America would be like if unions had never existed or didn't exist today.

 

[declansdad]

They usually consolidate to have a larger strike fund in case there is a big strike. In the smaller industries, if one plant goes out for any length of time, a union can deplete all of its resources. The larger strike fund, means more leverage. They usually keep the same personnel, that have the same experience in the particular industry of the original union(s).

If they stay in the same industry that's one thing but what do the auto workers know about places like Wal-Mart? That's the kind of power grab I'm talking about.

 

[MouseWorshipin]

If they stay in the same industry that's one thing but what do the auto workers know about places like Wal-Mart? That's the kind of power grab I'm talking about.

How about the maids that work in hotels? They make a few cents over minimum wage. They get their taxes back (most get 'em back, plus extra that they never paid) at the end of the year. But they don't get the Union dues back...and the Union boys who care so much about them say the most insulting things about them...then go out and have a beer they pay for with the money they got from those women's back-breaking work.

 

[MzDiz]

My husband works for "the man" and he's darn lucky he has the union on his side. They tried to fire him last summer for a simple oversight, after years of faithful service. The union is the only reason he kept his job.

Just because a union has never done anything for YOU, doesn't mean they don't do anything for anybody.

 

[cardaway]

My husband works for "the man" and he's darn lucky he has the union on his side. They tried to fire him last summer for a simple oversight, after years of faithful service. The union is the only reason he kept his job.

Just because a union has never done anything for YOU, doesn't mean they don't do anything for anybody.

For every case like that there are at least four people that should be fired, but they can't be, becuase of the union.

Here in the land of the "Lazy B" (Boeing) we know all too well how bad unions can be.

 

[Deb in IA]

You know, cardaway, I think this must be the first time I agree with you!!!


And people complain about all the jobs getting outsourced these days . . . gee, I wonder why?

 

[poohandwendy]

I have a different take on this.

IMO, the school is responsible for the kids as long as they are under their care. If a strike comes up (or any other emergency situation that would prevent your kids from getting home in the usual manner, at the usual time), the school has a responsibility to have a system in place to notify the parents and supervise the children until accomodations can be made to get them home.

I am not saying that a school bus 'strike' isn't a hassle, but under the circumstances mentioned, my anger would not be directed at the bus drivers for striking, it would be at the school for not having a pre-planned system in place for emergency transportation situations. One where parents knew exactly what would happen, ICE, ahead of time.

I find it negligent that a school district would not have a plan B in place at all times, in case of emergency.

That is the issue I would have.

 

[cardaway]

You know, cardaway, I think this must be the first time I agree with you!!!

Not true, I just haven't reponded the same way when we have agreed.

And people complain about all the jobs getting outsourced these days . . . gee, I wonder why?

Exactly. They basically strike themselves out of a job over time.

 

[C.Ann]

Just because a union has never done anything for YOU, doesn't mean they don't do anything for anybody.

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I saw what the union "did" for a number of family members and their co-workers.. They went on strike so often, the business (which had been around for umpteen years) finally just got fed up with the demands and shut the doors permanently.. The union members lost their jobs; their homes; and some, even their families.. Many of the members weren't able to get new jobs in the same field (it was the only thing they had ever known) and ended up with menial jobs.. Some went to school and re-trained for non-union jobs.. Some became alcoholics.. And sadly, some even committed suicide because they felt so hopeless after having lost everything they worked so many years for.. So because someone "has" a job - or their job has been "saved" by the union - means very little when the company in question finally says enough is enough and simply closes their doors.. If your DH is currently working a well-paying union job, I suggest that he banks as much of it as he possibly can...

 

[cardaway]

So because someone "has" a job - or their job has been "saved" by the union - means very little when the company in question finally says enough is enough and simply closes their doors.. If your DH is currently working a well-paying union job, I suggest that he banks as much of it as he possibly can...

I hope everybody working for a union reads that and takes it seriously. Very wise advice.