Opinions..

[Rubyfruit]

Btw, I made about twice what a teacher makes in a year waiting tables.

Lav, you can't equate a cash salary like waiting tables to the salary and benefit package teachers get. If you factor in the holidays, sick time, vacation time, medical, dental, etc., it's way more than $10 an hour. I'd be willing to bet you didn't get any of those benefits in your job.

Ruby

 

[freakygirl]

yeah.. it's easy to say.. $15.00 isn't much.. but what next?? They are wanting to go to full time.. year round school..

Yes, i know they get the same amount of time "off" as the traditional school year.. but i see the year round thing as being far more work..

 

[freakygirl]

I just want the option to have health insurance thru my employer..

The State of Washington signs my paychecks

 

[Laurel]

Without knowing the situation, I can't say whether the teachers are justified or not. I think unions can sometimes ask for more than they 'deserve' (whatever that means), but I also think that employers can often abuse their employee base more than necessary. The constant struggle between employers and unions helps keep everyone honest. I think the fact that unions exist also helps those in non-union professions, as employers are more likely to attend to employee's needs rather than risk unionization.

As far as this situation, if the HMO's are raising rates, then there may not a lot that can be done. Expecting the government to absorb the total cost of the increase is a little unfair. What NEEDS to happen is a revamping of the health care system. Not federalization, just a clean up.

 

[Angel]

My heavens! I need to go to work for McDonald's!! I pay 86.00 every two weeks for insurance with a $500.00 deductible and $20.00 co-pay on meds! I am in the wrong business.

Yep. My co-pay on meds was 5.00. Dr. Visits were no co-pay.

I also got vacation, sick days, personal days, had a 401k.... The benefits were great.

 

[sigh]

a week ago i decided to home school my special needs child because...

well shit, nevermind

i'm a single mom...i work full time...i pay upwards of $300 a month for health insurance...and now i'm teaching my son myself even though i'm paying for a public education through a shitload of taxes

i'd better shut up...this subject is just too tender right now

sorry

 

[RedJ]

The point...

...certainly isn't how much money other people pay for insurance or how bad they are getting screwed. Why does everyone insist on trashing unions because they do a good job protecting the rights and working conditions of their members. Thats what unions are for, to protect the right of the worker. To compare a union job to a non-union job will invariably result in discovering just how 'easy' or 'nice' a union job is. Whats wrong with that? Thats how all job environments should, and can, be if the greed inherent in the 'free-market' didn't constantly drive your working conditions down to rock bottom levels. Ask yourself what a reasonable and fair price for medical isurance should be (not what a teacher pays in comparison to others) then decide whether to cross that picket line. Plus, All unions should protect workers rights giving all union members in particular, and all non union members generally, a common goal and purpose.

RedJ

 

[freakygirl]

Angel, where did you work at a McDonalds that offered all of that? Must have been a corporate owned store.. because i know stores owned by individuals don't get those kind of benefits. I was married to a career McDonalds man.. him and his wife don't get those benefits. Hell they just lost their eye and dental care because of the high costs. And they have a family co pay of a $1000 a year.


He has been employed there for over 20 years.. and he wasn't making that kind of money when we divorced 7 years ago.

He is in a salaried position.. with the hours he puts in.. I don't think he gets paid more than a dollar an hour.. *L*

 

[PowerOfOne]

freakygurl32

~chuckling~ Freakygurl32, this is all your fault!
J/K

 

[freakygirl]

ok.. we have established whos fault it is for starting this fight..

now answer my damn question!

Do you think that kids should be sent across picket lines or kept home?

They say unions are falling.. could it be.. because we don't respect them?

Back in 86.. the largest lumber operation here in Washington went on strike.. my father happened to work for them. I went out on the picket lines with him. They (we) fought the "scabs". That fight.. they both won.. the union got a little of what they wanted.. and the business did to. It took months.. but something was finally worked out.

I don't care if the teachers are underpaid.. or if they are paid to much.. (well I do care.. but for sake of this argument.. it's not the point at this time). They aren't fighting for more wages.. they are fighting for $15.00 or so a month. Yes, they can afford it.. but honestly.. why should they? Shouldn't that be something the school pays for? Christ.. we pay enough in taxes every year.. yet my kids have to share books..the schools are in shambles.. and they have way to many kids per class... where does all the money go?

 

[Angel]

Angel, where did you work at a McDonalds that offered all of that? Must have been a corporate owned store.. because i know stores owned by individuals don't get those kind of benefits. I was married to a career McDonalds man.. him and his wife don't get those benefits. Hell they just lost their eye and dental care because of the high costs. And they have a family co pay of a $1000 a year.


He has been employed there for over 20 years.. and he wasn't making that kind of money when we divorced 7 years ago.

He is in a salaried position.. with the hours he puts in.. I don't think he gets paid more than a dollar an hour.. *L*

Rochester NY. And no, it wasn't corporate. We were owned by one of 4 owners in the area. And we did get those kinds of benefits, although the 401k plan didn't come into being until 4 years after I started working there.

I worked my way up from crew to trainer to chief to Swing Manager to Assistant (salaried) Manager. 10 Dollars an hour was back when I was still a swing and paid by the hour and which was when I began recieving those benefits.

Once I got promoted from swing to Asst, I didn't have to pay ANYTHING out of my checks for insurance. My co-pay went up five dollars though.

 

[Rubyfruit]

.. they are fighting for $15.00 or so a month. Yes, they can afford it.. but honestly.. why should they? Shouldn't that be something the school pays for? ...

Back to my basic arguement here. Most people have an increase in their medical premium every fucking year. I did when I worked. My husband does now. Premiums go up yearly, employers pass part of that cost down to the employee, and MOST of us pay a hell of a lot more than $35 a month.

Medical premiums go up and coverage goes down. It happens every year and it has been for a long time.

Ruby

 

[PowerOfOne]

Freakygurl32, who do they have to replace the teachers? I would definitely take the children to school and just watch to see if the strike is going to be disruptive to the children. If it is just peaceful with the teachers walking with signs then I would let my child go to school. If it looks like it will be disrupttive, then take the children home.

I do not think teachers go into teaching for the money. I think they have to WANT to be a teacher so I question the wisdom of the teachers striking and what kind of message the children will receive from this.

Call other parents in the morning and see what they are going to do. I will be interested in finding out how this goes down. Please post a thread about what your decision was. Thank you!

 

[freakygirl]

Rochester NY. And no, it wasn't corporate. We were owned by one of 4 owners in the area. And we did get those kinds of benefits, although the 401k plan didn't come into being until 4 years after I started working there.

I worked my way up from crew to trainer to chief to Swing Manager to Assistant (salaried) Manager. 10 Dollars an hour was back when I was still a swing and paid by the hour and which was when I began recieving those benefits.

Once I got promoted from swing to Asst, I didn't have to pay ANYTHING out of my checks for insurance. My co-pay went up five dollars though.

wow.. alot better than here in Washington

to bad they aren't all like that..

 

[PowerOfOne]

Can anyone tell me what McDonalds in Minnesota pay and their insurance benefits? I am seriously considering changing jobs!!

 

[freakygirl]

actually.. it isn't my sole decision

My ex husband has the kids in his custody.. (long story) but anyway, we were discussing the alternatives.. and in the end.. he will have the final decision. Although he does listen to my concerns and will work with me if i come up with a good argument.

But yes, i will post a thread about what happens.


Thank you to everyone for your opinions..

 

[Angel]

wow.. alot better than here in Washington

to bad they aren't all like that..

Well, if you take away the pay rate and the medical, these people were a bitch to work for. Two of the Supervisors were evil hags, and the third was the owner's son who had absolutely NO SACK AT ALL.

His daughter had some token position with the upper reaches of home office and decided that meant she could come in and take over running shifts in the stores whenever she felt like it.

(This woman wasn't qualified to run the mac bun toaster before the stores went made for you)


Ugh, enough McSuck memories, thank you very much

No more thread heisting for me, sorry!

 

[freakygirl]

Can anyone tell me what McDonalds in Minnesota pay and their insurance benefits? I am seriously considering changing jobs!!

lmao.. i think you would be better moving to NY.. those benefits aren't a McDonalds norm.. they are more than likely a regional thing..

Trust me.. been involved with McDonalds along time..

 

[freakygirl]

Well, if you take away the pay rate and the medical, these people were a bitch to work for. Two of the Supervisors were evil hags, and the third was the owner's son who had absolutely NO SACK AT ALL.

His daughter had some token position with the upper reaches of home office and decided that meant she could come in and take over running shifts in the stores whenever she felt like it.

(This woman wasn't qualified to run the mac bun toaster before the stores went made for you)


Ugh, enough McSuck memories, thank you very much

No more thread heisting for me, sorry!

But the mac bun toaster were easy to run... she must have been really bad.. *L*

I like those auto frie basket feeders.. wish they had those when i worked there.. *L*

 

[PowerOfOne]

ROFL!

Ugh, enough McSuck memories, thank you very much

~Laughing hysterically at McSuck~ OMG! Tears are streaming down my face and my sides hurt from laughing!! Is that a new sandwich? ~laughing~

 

[Angel]

But the mac bun toaster were easy to run... she must have been really bad.. *L*

I like those auto frie basket feeders.. wish they had those when i worked there.. *L*

:-D I hated the mac toaster. Fuckin buns always stuck. I was so happy when we went Made For You and got drop in toasters and the fry basket feeders.

LOL.

Although when I was a manager I mainly closed - I had the feeder, one grill, one cabinet and two fryers shut down by 7pm.

 

[PowerOfOne]

Still ROFL!!

I would like a McSuck value meal please...yes supersize it and an apple pie. And please do not forget to put the napkins in the sack this time, those McSucks can be so messy!! ~Still laughing hysterically~

 

[freakygirl]

Oh McMemories

I kinda miss working there

to bad.. they had to transfer my husbands (now ex husband) girlfriend over to the store i worked in.. I probably would still be there today.. (as you can tell.. i wasn't to keen on the idea of working with the woman who was sleeping with my husband)

I got over that now.. I am actually friends with both of them now..

 

[RisiaSkye]

Frustrated, very frustrated

I do not think teachers go into teaching for the money. I think they have to WANT to be a teacher so I question the wisdom of the teachers striking and what kind of message the children will receive from this.

This implies that because teachers "want" to be teachers, they shouldn't strike. Loving the job is a prerequisite. Does that mean, if you love your job, you should have your salary and benefits reduced? If other workers are getting screwed out of affordable healthcare, does that mean everyone should abandon the only currently viable way of getting workers a seat at the contract negotiation table? Shouldn't more workers be supporting strikes and collective bargaining, and trying to organize their own workplaces in search of similar benefits?

Also, why are people worried about what message *gasp* worker solidarity might send their children, but nobody's worried what message children get from the fact that their families don't value or respect teachers as workers?

I'm a dues paying union teacher at a state college. I make, on average, between 7 and 8 dollars per hour if you divide my salary by my actual work time. That's a 15% pay increase over 2 years ago, mind you--won through collective bargaining. We also finally got vision benefits. The options are either put less time into teaching, and less energy into my students; or, grin and bear it, hoping that someone's life is improved long-term by my efforts--and count that as part of my pay-off.

Teaching matters, especially if this culture's as gung-ho in love with children as it pretends to be. Are people really this alienated from the education system, or do parents not want to face the inconvenience? This whole thing frustrates me, the inability of parents and teachers to come together is 80% of the problem in education. These are your kids' lives we're talking about. Teaching them matters, and it takes training, emotional energy, and lots of time. Besides teaching, lesson planning, grading papers and exams, finding new material to improve the classes, and administrative duties I have actual real life students.

They don't just come to me for letters of recommendation and tutoring, they seek advice about parents, relationships, sex, and their futures. They burst into tears, admit suicidal depression, drug use, parental abuse and pregnancy. They also want to share their victories, hopes, and plans. And those are the good ones. Last spring, I had a student physically threaten me, then leave threatening messages on my car when I booted him from the class. What did the school do? Why, they gave him exemption to the class when his dad called a lawyer. After all, the customer--oops, the parent--is always right.

My program defends our budget and curriculum constantly, because teaching critical thinking just isn't a high priority ( ! ). But parents and employers want to know why students don't leave school with written communication skills. It's a constant juggling act, and nobody's ever satisfied, no matter what you do. So, you work at it some more, drag your "bottom line" down even further, and face additional disrespect from those in the private sector.

I've walked the picket line, and I'd do it again. I love teaching, but I also deserve a minimum level of respect and recompense from a system which pays administrators who never see a student three times what I make. This strike is almost certainly not really about the 15 dollars--I'd be willing to bet the school system is trying to sneak through post-contract changes without meeting at the negotiation table. It happens all the time; Bush is just making it easier. It's bad-faith bargaining, and it's poison to education in many, many ways.

God, I'm frustrated. Sorry to get rolling on that one.

The short answer would have been: keep them home.

 

[PowerOfOne]

Re: Frustrated, very frustrated....

I see what you are saying and I do understand. My point is that when you take on a job such as teaching, is $15.00 worth the disruption of a child's routine and learning process? Not when so many people are out there without insurance or have insurance offered but it is so high they cannot afford it, so they do without and many die because the first thing a doctor or hospital asks is, "Do you have insurance?" You better be ready to say yes or just die with it.

Everyone's insurance premium is going up, including Medicare and the elderly are the LEAST able to pay but can THEY strike? No. I do not hear anyone screeching about the elderlys predicament. In a regular Medicare policy the elderly do not even have prescription coverage and I know of several heart patients, diabetics, etc that go without their medications because they cannot afford to buy it.

A teacher is special. But teachers are not the only ones having to fork out more money right now. When does it become time to be thankful that you even have a job and insurance? $15.00 is NOT worth it.