General Discussion

WilliamPitt

(58,179 posts) Thu Dec 13, 2012, 10:21 AM Dec 2012

Dear Boss

Dear Boss
By Annie B.

With all the discussion about how bad unions are for workers and the passage of the 'right-to-work' law in Michigan, I think it is only fair to make significant changes to our work agreement. I no longer want any part of those unions and all the trouble they have caused for workers like me.

I would like my weekly salary to be reduced by at least 5%. This may not sound like much, but my work week will now consist of 12 hour days, 6 days a week, so you will actually be making a considerable savings. I will of course work as much overtime as needed without any additional compensation. Further, you may dock my salary at any time for any reason and for any amount. You can also fire me for any reason, or no reason at all.

(snip)

I will no longer be taking sick days. First, of course, if I don't work I don't get paid and I need to work as much as possible for the low wages I'll be getting. Second, it's not like I could go to see a doctor, since I will no longer be getting any health insurance from the company and I certainly can't afford to buy it on my own. If any of my family members get sick, they are on their own. I certainly won't be taking time off to care for them.

(snip)

If there are any hazards in the workplace, well I had better watch out for myself I guess. If there is dangerous machinery I wouldn't expect you to put up railings, guards, mesh screens, or any other protective devices. I certainly don't expect you to be worried if I am exposed to dangerous chemicals or gasses. I don't expect you to provide protective clothing or respirators or even to try to reduce my possible exposure to these elements. If I am seriously injured or killed on the job, you can always hire someone to replace me. Hopefully that person will be more careful.

The rest: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/12/12/1169175/-Dear-Boss

4 replies

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Dear Boss (Original Post) WilliamPitt Dec 2012 OP

Occasionally I see a wingnut bragging about how much more productive America is compared to Europe Major Nikon Dec 2012 #1

And because of our 'excessive productivity' ... Myrina Dec 2012 #2

I work along folks who never consider how hard it was to gain the things they regulary grouse about bigtree Dec 2012 #3

I read an article recently about SheilaT Dec 2012 #4

Major Nikon

(36,827 posts)

1. Occasionally I see a wingnut bragging about how much more productive America is compared to Europe

Reply to WilliamPitt (Original post)

Thu Dec 13, 2012, 12:34 PM

Dec 2012

Sure. They have 35 hour work weeks, employees can't be forced to work more than 48 hours in a week, mandatory vacation time, etc. It's not too hard to figure out who is getting the shit end of that stick.

Myrina

(12,296 posts)

2. And because of our 'excessive productivity' ...

Reply to Major Nikon (Reply #1)

Thu Dec 13, 2012, 01:23 PM

Dec 2012

... we have more shit on the market than we can possibly ever need, or buy. So supply goes up, demand stagnates and folks get laid off. That's another part Freeps never understand: making "more/bigger/faster" isn't always better.

Work/Life balance is a GOOD thing, for people AND for the economy.

bigtree

(86,001 posts)

3. I work along folks who never consider how hard it was to gain the things they regulary grouse about

Reply to WilliamPitt (Original post)

Thu Dec 13, 2012, 01:30 PM

Dec 2012

. . . like hours, overtime, sick pay, breaks, vacations, benefits. It would take, I think, a nation devastated like in the 30's; not just the pockets and regions we have now, but a period of utter hopelessness, nationwide, to rally most of these folks to actually show some unity. I wonder all the time if we could get these new hires to rally if we really threw down . . . i don't know.

SheilaT

(23,156 posts)

4. I read an article recently about

Reply to WilliamPitt (Original post)

Thu Dec 13, 2012, 02:20 PM

Dec 2012

what happened when businesses went from a standard 12 hour work week to the 8 hour work week back during the Great Depression. Businesses were also required to raise wages so that the workers earned the same.

To their amazement, businesses discovered that workers all across the spectrum were MORE productive in the shorter day.

We need to go back to that.

Oh. Also keep in mind that any number of U.S. companies have offices in Europe, and the workers there work those shorter work-weeks, have longer vacations, and so on. One thing they don't have to pay over there is health care. It's more than a wash. Yet another reason we need a single payer system.

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