Thanks for the support guys, I really appreciate it ^^ RJD, as for you, this country has turned into the corporate haven it has because people like you say it is ok. You submit to people with inheritted wealth and say it is ok because they 'earned' or 'deserve' it. Bear in mind a moment that none of these CEOs would give a nickel to save your life, but you empower them to turn the workforce into nothing short of slavery. People with that attitude are typically wealthy or have a knack for finding it. People vote and policize based on what works for them, it is human nature that we should base our lives on us and those we love, that is reality. However it is also reality that there are some people who have spirit and will stand up for what's right and just. America was built on these principles, why is it a bad thing to practice them today?
If I sign my name to an application that says "You will have free insurance, get $60,000+ per year, have a fair amount of time off, be compensated well for going above and beyond the call of duty" then heck yes I am going to stand up when that is not delivered when I spent $5,000 to go to their "Railroad School" in Atlanta, which promised me a job and then furoughed 85+ people off with no way to support their families and now $5,000 in debt with no job. If you can justify this with "that is how business goes" then by all means... sign up. But being betrayed by the people who promised you a livelihood and then cost you your home placing a $5,000 bet in their foney promises should be inexcusable in a country based on "unity". There is a definite and fine line between rich and poor, and typically the lines are never crossed because of the lifestyles these people lead. The fact is, rich and poor are the same people with different purposes. The rich have been educated to exploit the poor to make their wealth, and while the poor suffer, the rich feel no sympathy in bestowing onto their prey that they have somehow earned through rite or education the right to exploit them. Meanwhile the poor are too tired or apathetic to fight back. It is sad....
Now as an M.O.W worker, I cannot make things better for you. Only you and your craft brothers can do that. But, are you the "realist" that takes whatever comes, or are you the man who stands up and says "NO! I HAVE PUT MY FAITH, FORTUNE, AND DEVOTION IN THIS JOB BECAUSE I WAS PROMISED CERTAIN THINGS AND I KEEP HAVING THEM TAKEN AWAY!" Go ahead RJD, go ahead and switch jobs for your entire career whenever you begin having advantage taken over you. You are going to find that when you are 60 years old and are starting at the bottom of the totem pole again that it is not so easy. Things are much more complex than filling out an application, kissing the interviewer's butt, and brown nosing your way to the top. I'm going to stop now because I have to get sleep but think about what I said. I was merely making a gesture of appreciation for the F.R.A coming to the defense of overworked employees. If you consider that whining, then you should learn a thing or two about being humble to those who are trying to help you.
I honestly can't believe I stooped down to answer your post, but I think it is important that other railroaders know that they don't have to deal with the harrassment, bullying, or loss of jobs that they are experiencing. They have a voice and should use it. RJD I bear you no ill will. I understand that it is a Taurus' nature to debate and argue, but just remember that where you will put a fire, you must beware of the ensuing water to drench it. This is also nature's way. On your side of the equasion, I do hope that M.O.W gets some more time off, I think you guys deserve it too. I'm not combatting any other department in any way, I think we are all in it together and unity might really help to change things. I will say however, I have yet to see an M.O.W crew hit a dump truck at 57 MPH, kill the guy, only to find out it was the father of a close friend of yours. Things like that don't erase overnight.
That is not upper management's fault, but it is their responsibility to be understanding when they see tears falling from your eyes and ought to want to comfort you rather than assign blame on you to have a scapegoat to keep their own jobs. Seriously, I'm done this time. HUGS to all of MLS, thanks for reading my rant, I apologize but I am a passionate guy, just like RJD.
-Will