Unions are GREAT

[chrisl]

I was Cement Mason's union for many years. They were lowering are pay scale all the time. We were being paid at roughly 80% scale in order to compete on projects. My dues and payments to them, never went down. Last project was at 68% scale. I left the union, and never have been back. Best thing I did. Gangsters at best.

[jimmyb]

The railroad cos net 27 Billion. They've cut 30 percent of the workforce. Workers don't get sick pay and are penalized if they do take a day. Workers want sick time, companies say no. That was what held things up. Biden forces workers to accept the railroads terms, still no sick time. Fuck Biden.



Our transportation czar took months of leave time after less than a year on the job. Fuck Mayor Pete.

[davew]

Originally Posted by jimmyb

The railroad cos net 27 Billion. They've cut 30 percent of the workforce. Workers don't get sick pay and are penalized if they do take a day. Workers want sick time, companies say no. That was what held things up. Biden forces workers to accept the railroads terms, still no sick time. Fuck Biden.



Our transportation czar took months of leave time after less than a year on the job. Fuck Mayor Pete.

union wanted 14 days paid sick whenever - they were offered 7 days


Mayor Pete took maternity leave

[CaptainObvious]

They have 0, they wanted 7.

[davew]

Originally Posted by CaptainObvious

They have 0, they wanted 7.

offered 7, those 3 unions saying no wanted 14

[CaptainObvious]

Originally Posted by davew

offered 7, those 3 unions saying no wanted 14

They have 0, they want 7.

[BIG RED]

Don't forget Mayor Walsh?

[Inner Dirt]

It has been a while since I didn't work for myself but 6 sick days a year was the standard for medium sized non union companies for hourly workers. What hourly rate are these guys getting ?

[chrisl]

I completely agree for a worker to shoot for the moon and get all you can. No bitching if it back fires on you. I negotiate my salary package at the start of every project.

[chrisl]

Originally Posted by Inner Dirt

It has been a while since I didn't work for myself but 6 sick days a year was the standard for medium sized non union companies for hourly workers. What hourly rate are these guys getting ?

I listen to a radio host who devoted a lot of time to the RR strike. He stated that an entry level #1 worker is avg 130k a year. Did not state there avg weekly hours. That will go up immediately 14%, next year another 10%.
Actually IMO not to shabby. With what is going on in the country, inflation. possible recession looming. Pretty good deal.

[Inner Dirt]

Originally Posted by chrisl

I listen to a radio host who devoted a lot of time to the RR strike. He stated that an entry level #1 worker is avg 130k a year. Did not state there avg weekly hours. That will go up immediately 14%, next year another 10%.
Actually IMO not to shabby. With what is going on in the country, inflation. possible recession looming. Pretty good deal.

Are all the railroad workers under the same union and pay rates whether they are on a train, in a yard or doing track maintenance? Anyone know what a yard goat is without looking it up, it is railway related. The AA league the local Richmond team is in has a Hartford Yard Goats in it. I had to look it up, I thought it was a made up name.

[jimmyb]

An industry that paid 196 billion over a 10 year period in stock dividends and buybacks can afford 5 sick days. Warren Buffett is supposed to be the great philanthropist. He can certainly afford his railroad workers these 5 days.

[Inner Dirt]

Originally Posted by jimmyb

An industry that paid 196 billion over a 10 year period in stock dividends and buybacks can afford 5 sick days. Warren Buffett is supposed to be the great philanthropist. He can certainly afford his railroad workers these 5 days.

What is the whole story? If an entry level #1 worker makes $130k a year, if that is gross cash, could be during negotiations the workers opted for a higher hourly rate in lieu of some benefits.

[jimmyb]

Originally Posted by Inner Dirt

What is the whole story? If an entry level #1 worker makes $130k a year, if that is gross cash, could be during negotiations the workers opted for a higher hourly rate in lieu of some benefits.

The holdup was the sick days. Biden basically jumped in so the RR's agreed to one personal day. Not sure of the pay structure but it couldn't be that great across the board if the RR's agreed to a 24% raise increases by 2024 and a $1000 bonus for signing the contract. RR's have also slashed 30% of the workforce while generating billions in profits. RR's also agreed to freeze health care costs.


The Union Pacific alone is valued at 105 billion and Warren Buffets BNSF is worth 60 billion. Then we have the other 10 RR's who's combined value is who knows.