I have a question for all the union supporters on DU

[pennylane100]

I should mention that I also consider myself to be one. I found out in the newspaper this morning that our Garbage people are on strike and that our trash which is currently sitting in a bin at the curb is being picked up by contractor workers. While I always try to honor picket lines, that does not seem to apply in this case.

The city wants to take away some of their benefits and I must admit that I do not know anything about it. I will definitely find out. I just thought that this makes an interesting case of who one supports a labor movement without any meaningful way of showing it.

[Indydem]

1. Put EXTRA trash out.

Make the scabs work harder.

They are going to get paid whether you put your trash out or not - make their lives miserable.

[Sherman A1]

2. Frankly, I think that you trash can

would be hard pressed to cross a picket line. So I would not worry too much about that. That said there are things you can do to be helpful.

1). Find out where they workers are picketing (if they are) and take them a couple cases of bottled water or some boxes of food items.
2). Donate a few dollars to their local union (which should be easy to track down) for their strike fund or worker support fund.
3). Get a hold of your elected representative (councilman, alderman or whatever) and clearly inform them that you do not believe in cut backs to the workers and let them know you will remember this at election time.

I am sure there are others, but that is what comes to mind right now.

[Brickbat]

3. If you want to complaing about trash not being picked up, complain to the city and tell them to stop

taking away benefits. In the meantime, bring food and water to the strikers, ask them if they'd want help on the line, and ask them what they would like you to do to show support.

[Historic NY]

4. Garbage is a dirty business.....you can bet the contractors are more expensive.

[pennylane100]

6. the newspaper said they were paying $48 per hour.

That is to the company that contracted to do the work. I am sure that the actual workers will not see half of that. They are probably long term unemployed workers who are desperate for some income.

I hate the direction this country is going. Sadly I live in a very red part of the state and I am sure most people don't care about the need to pay people a decent wage as long as their needs get met. Ironically our retirement community is full of affluent homeowners who all seem to have generous pension plans and also get social security and medicare.

[TygrBright]

5. If it was me?

I'd be a-baggin' up all my trash...

Layin' a tarp in the back of my hatchback...

Tossin' the bags in the hatch...

Schleppin' on down to the house of the most disgusting anti-union City Council member...

Openin' the hatch...

And leaving my bags for the scabs to pick up at HIS/HER house.

And I'd try to see if I couldn't get a few neighbors to do the same.

evilly,
Bright