A State of Veruca Salts.
For the first time in over 2 years, April is sick. She's come down with a nasty bit of a cold, and she's been home for the past 3 days. Doing what I can to nurse her back to health.
Meanwhile, I find myself becoming more and more annoyed with work. Not just of the goings-on in my own office, but working for the State in general. I mean, it's no secret that since the economy shit itself, more and more politicians have pointed their finger not at themselves, their corporate masters, or their lobbyists, but to everyday office workers who work for government agencies, pinning blame for their total lack of foresight on the peons who make $40,000 a year and have health insurance.
I'm reviled by the private sector simply because I'm a) still employed, b) have decent benefits, and c) because my life doesn't suck like private sector workers.
However, in light of the recent labor agreements passed by both CSEA (the union I'm in) and PEF (the union April's in), I may have to find a new group of people I consider to be the most miserable, irritable, and vicious group of people who think they're entitled to everything under the Sun. For years, I'd felt that Wal-Mart customers were worthy of this stereotype, having worked for them, and seeing full-force what the "entitlement culture" does. I may have to revise that now to put "state workers" under that umbrella.
These contract negotiations between the labor unions and the Governor have brought out the worst in us. Yes, times are tough. While I don't necessarily like the fact that I won't get any raises for 3 years, and that my health care payments will increase, it simply means I have to do one of two things--either budget for this and plan for it so I won't be blindsided, or two, leave and find another job. In this current situation, where there's 5 unemployed for every job opening, I'm gonna stay right where I am, thanks.
If these agreements were not ratified, then many thousands of workers would've been immediately thrown into unemployment.
And what kills me the most--is the fact that many State workers were willing to throw their co-workers under the bus, all to prevent those who don't get laid off from losing their raises, bonuses, and not having to pay increased health care costs. I've never seen such a large group of people with the "I got mine, so fuck you" mentality in my life.
I've never seen so many people feel so goddamned entitled to raises, job security, cheap health care, and other perks that they were willing to throw a combined total of 9,000 of us under the bus and out of a job just to keep those perks.
Thank god common sense prevailed. Yes, we took a hit, but more importantly, we're still employed. And you know, compared to many in the private sector, we still have it pretty good, so shut up.
Also, naturally, when ANY news outlet so much as mentions State workers, out come those who feel the need to just belittle anyone who works for government. Tell you what--if you don't like the State workforce so much, then never use a road again. Never go to a DMV. Never play the Lottery. Never send your kids to school. Never get medical care and treatment. Never go to your local town hall to get a marriage license. Hell, never go fishing or hunting again. You'd be surprised how many things in this state are handled by those State peons you keep belittling--you know, the ones who work a regular job like you do, making probably about the same as you do, the ones who, contrary to public opinion, still pay taxes, still pay into Social Security and Medicare just like every other employed slob on this spit of land.
Well, Governor, you wanted to divide and conquer the State workforce. You view it as a Risk board that needs to be dominated. I think your plan is working. Keep encouraging in-fighting amongst your workers. I don't see you or the Legislature taking a pay cut anytime soon. Asshole.
Meanwhile, I find myself becoming more and more annoyed with work. Not just of the goings-on in my own office, but working for the State in general. I mean, it's no secret that since the economy shit itself, more and more politicians have pointed their finger not at themselves, their corporate masters, or their lobbyists, but to everyday office workers who work for government agencies, pinning blame for their total lack of foresight on the peons who make $40,000 a year and have health insurance.
I'm reviled by the private sector simply because I'm a) still employed, b) have decent benefits, and c) because my life doesn't suck like private sector workers.
However, in light of the recent labor agreements passed by both CSEA (the union I'm in) and PEF (the union April's in), I may have to find a new group of people I consider to be the most miserable, irritable, and vicious group of people who think they're entitled to everything under the Sun. For years, I'd felt that Wal-Mart customers were worthy of this stereotype, having worked for them, and seeing full-force what the "entitlement culture" does. I may have to revise that now to put "state workers" under that umbrella.
These contract negotiations between the labor unions and the Governor have brought out the worst in us. Yes, times are tough. While I don't necessarily like the fact that I won't get any raises for 3 years, and that my health care payments will increase, it simply means I have to do one of two things--either budget for this and plan for it so I won't be blindsided, or two, leave and find another job. In this current situation, where there's 5 unemployed for every job opening, I'm gonna stay right where I am, thanks.
If these agreements were not ratified, then many thousands of workers would've been immediately thrown into unemployment.
And what kills me the most--is the fact that many State workers were willing to throw their co-workers under the bus, all to prevent those who don't get laid off from losing their raises, bonuses, and not having to pay increased health care costs. I've never seen such a large group of people with the "I got mine, so fuck you" mentality in my life.
I've never seen so many people feel so goddamned entitled to raises, job security, cheap health care, and other perks that they were willing to throw a combined total of 9,000 of us under the bus and out of a job just to keep those perks.
Thank god common sense prevailed. Yes, we took a hit, but more importantly, we're still employed. And you know, compared to many in the private sector, we still have it pretty good, so shut up.
Also, naturally, when ANY news outlet so much as mentions State workers, out come those who feel the need to just belittle anyone who works for government. Tell you what--if you don't like the State workforce so much, then never use a road again. Never go to a DMV. Never play the Lottery. Never send your kids to school. Never get medical care and treatment. Never go to your local town hall to get a marriage license. Hell, never go fishing or hunting again. You'd be surprised how many things in this state are handled by those State peons you keep belittling--you know, the ones who work a regular job like you do, making probably about the same as you do, the ones who, contrary to public opinion, still pay taxes, still pay into Social Security and Medicare just like every other employed slob on this spit of land.
Well, Governor, you wanted to divide and conquer the State workforce. You view it as a Risk board that needs to be dominated. I think your plan is working. Keep encouraging in-fighting amongst your workers. I don't see you or the Legislature taking a pay cut anytime soon. Asshole.