Be grateful they have jobs?

[hyphenate]

The local bus service workers almost went on strike about a week ago, but they agreed to instead wait two weeks before going out.

The main sticking point I have determined is the amount the employees need to contribute to their health insurance--currently, they are paying 14% into it, but the company wants them to pay 25%. The workers went up to 18%, I believe, but could go to 20% at their highest.

I know these things are important, and I know that this is always going to be an issue with contracts, but I have this niggling little voice in me that keeps saying, "Take what they can now! They should be lucky they HAVE jobs!"

The bus services is vital to almost every facet of the city, including me, when I use the Paratransit to go to appointments or other places. Lots of people use it to get to their jobs, so that's a major factor. If the workers went on strike, it would complicate life for almost everyone, if it means more cars on the road, or simply people unable to go to work.

Based on my own work history and health insurance, I don't think 25% pay in from the workers is too high, but others might see it differently. Of course, I don't know all the changes that might be made with a new contract, but in the current atmosphere, I think it's more important for people to stay in the jobs they have, and in most cases be grateful they have jobs.

I'm not assuming the side of the company completely, but I am not sure it's wise to strike when there are so many people who are out of work, and would be willing to cross a picket line in order to get the job.

I'm not looking for flamebait, I just want to know: is there any kind of compromise that could be reached to keep the transportation service running, and the terms less of a problem? Could one solution be to make a shorter contract, so they're able to go back to the table sooner when this recession peters out?

[notesdev]

1. under these conditions

they should be happy to accept, you know the alternative is going to be layoffs

the real problem of course is that HCR solved nothing when it comes to health care costs.

[TheKentuckian]

2. This line of thinking greatly contributes to the generational wage destruction we've experienced

Instead of trying to figure out how to screw these workers out of their little money, you should be adding your voice to theirs in solidarity before you cut your own throat along with their's while you look out for management.

[LongTomH]

4. Agreed! The corporations have got most of us saying.........

"Be grateful you have a job.......any kind of job!" Even if that job is low-paid, low or no benefits.

I'm going on Social Security in January. I've been unemployed, living on savings, since December 2009. I was job-hunting; but, with 5 people standing in line for every job, and most of the jobs the low-paid, shit-shoveling, brain-deadening, soul-sucking slave jobs that are all that's left in this economy........I finally decided to say: "Fuck this noise! I'm retiring!"

[TheKentuckian]

9. I wish I could check out. I did get a CSR job through a temp agency.

Almost everyone on the assignment has a degree, many two, and more than one Masters.

This is about a 10 buck an hour gig in a fair sized city

It sucks out here and is getting suckier. The wages and opportunities are going to absolute crap. Except for the few fields that cannot fill their openings in highly specialized fields that allow those numbers to get to 5 to 1. The numbers for most openings are much, much higher and the rents keeps going up.

You should have seen that stack of applications for an opening at the grocery a little while ago. It looked like a large city phone book and was just part of one day.

Suggesting ANY job for everyone is easier said than done when you look at the cost and availability of basic housing.

[Swamp Rat]

3. somebody's gotta stoke the ovens too.

[littlewolf]

5. our employer for 2 years now has basically said

the same thing ... be happy you have a job ....
this is the first year in 3 that we got a cost of living raise ...
havn't gotten a merit raise in over 4 ... and based on
what I have seen ... we will not be getting any more merit
raises ... just cola ...
but it beats the alternative ...
no job at all ....

[grilled onions]

6. What Percentage DO Those Who Are Out Of Work Have To Pay?

Or those disabled? What about those who have zero health coverage thru their jobs? To the worker who paid less it seems like a huge cut out of their wages but when you compare it to all of those who have to pay 100% IF they can get any coverage at all it seems like a good deal. It all depends on who you are and what the circumstances are. WE need to all get what they get on Capitol Hill. They get a great deal considering their wages and the hours they put in plus all those benefits and perks they pick up along the way.

[Hawkowl]

7. Single payer

Or public option. I HATE it when people tell other people they should be happy to have a job. They are fighting for higher wages for everyone. Everyone who stand up and says I'm worth more helps you. Every time YOU knuckle under, it's just one more step down the path of slave wages.

[blondeatlast]

8. The bus service is, I am guessing, partially privatized, most city bus services are.

Therefore, it would be quite reasonable to suggest that the company providing the service be willing to lose maybe .5% of their short term profit rather than asking the employees to sacrifice.

Framing the message matters--a lot. The corporately owned media frames the message in favor of profit, not the common good. Time to start calling them out about it.