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missdianeI send my laundry out since it's a lot to lug from the second floor to a laundromat. However, that means hand wash things and bras pile up since I can't have those "wash and fold" since they'd get ruined. I had quite the pile going so since I need to use up vacation days before June anyway, I emailed Bosslady to let her know that I needed to take a vacation day for some personal errands. Not shockingly, she ignored the email like she ignores everything I send.
Then I hear from Emily late last night that the faculty unions have decided enough is enough and are striking. Well that's going to be interesting. They want us to "not cross the picket lines" but uh...I'm in a different and shittier union that also hasn't had a contract and isn't on strike so it doesn't apply to me. The President of the university has already been catching lots of shit from prominent scholars and with his commentary that the strike is "illegal" (yes, they consider us all "public employees" but only when it suits them. If the State officially shuts down for a hurricane, yes, Rutgers has tried to say that we're all "essential" and need to report in)
They're also insulting staff with this bullshittery
Can I work from home during the strike?
To ensure continuity of operations and provide the support that our students and patients will need, the university may suspend all flexible work arrangements for staff to best serve our students and patients. We understand that some instructors may choose to continue teaching and we encourage those who plan to teach to continue to do so in the mode they have used for instruction throughout the semester (in-person, online, etc.) to minimize any disruption to students.
So it was all hunky dory for folks to WFH during the pandemic but now that there are picket lines, even if you have nothing to do with students or patients, they're probably going to force people in. Thankfully my WFH arrangement in the afternoons isn't a "flexible work" arrangement but it's a disability accommodation so bite me, RU.
Aaaanyway, so now I have clean bras and gentle wash clothing and the kitties have fluffy clean beds. I got a call just when I got home from one of the folks in my suite who wanted to give me the downlow that he put in his notice to Bosslady. He's a PhD and the director of our campus's grants facilitiation office and they've disrespected him from day one. It's just him and the dramatic coworker that's also in our suite of three. He's moving to a smaller college but a higher position and I couldn't be more pleased for him. This sucks especially for Bosslady since dramatic coworker (DC) is getting treated for breast cancer and about to have a series of operations and downtime soon. Knowing DC, she'll probably do something stupid like trying to delay treatment. About all I'll do is tell her that she's a fool if she does that. Bosslady sucks ass and needs to struggle.
I do wonder at what level Bosslady is "striking" at all since yes, she's the Director of Research but she's also faculty. Hm...
Then I hear from Emily late last night that the faculty unions have decided enough is enough and are striking. Well that's going to be interesting. They want us to "not cross the picket lines" but uh...I'm in a different and shittier union that also hasn't had a contract and isn't on strike so it doesn't apply to me. The President of the university has already been catching lots of shit from prominent scholars and with his commentary that the strike is "illegal" (yes, they consider us all "public employees" but only when it suits them. If the State officially shuts down for a hurricane, yes, Rutgers has tried to say that we're all "essential" and need to report in)
They're also insulting staff with this bullshittery
Can I work from home during the strike?
To ensure continuity of operations and provide the support that our students and patients will need, the university may suspend all flexible work arrangements for staff to best serve our students and patients. We understand that some instructors may choose to continue teaching and we encourage those who plan to teach to continue to do so in the mode they have used for instruction throughout the semester (in-person, online, etc.) to minimize any disruption to students.
So it was all hunky dory for folks to WFH during the pandemic but now that there are picket lines, even if you have nothing to do with students or patients, they're probably going to force people in. Thankfully my WFH arrangement in the afternoons isn't a "flexible work" arrangement but it's a disability accommodation so bite me, RU.
Aaaanyway, so now I have clean bras and gentle wash clothing and the kitties have fluffy clean beds. I got a call just when I got home from one of the folks in my suite who wanted to give me the downlow that he put in his notice to Bosslady. He's a PhD and the director of our campus's grants facilitiation office and they've disrespected him from day one. It's just him and the dramatic coworker that's also in our suite of three. He's moving to a smaller college but a higher position and I couldn't be more pleased for him. This sucks especially for Bosslady since dramatic coworker (DC) is getting treated for breast cancer and about to have a series of operations and downtime soon. Knowing DC, she'll probably do something stupid like trying to delay treatment. About all I'll do is tell her that she's a fool if she does that. Bosslady sucks ass and needs to struggle.
I do wonder at what level Bosslady is "striking" at all since yes, she's the Director of Research but she's also faculty. Hm...
no subject
Date: 11 Apr 2023 14:06 (UTC)I remember when the security staff at my university joined the Teamsters and went on strike. The Museum guards not only warned the curators so they could get someone in place to watch the exhibits while they closed the museum, but were telling students and workers where the faculty entrance was so they could get in to class. The picket at that door was cheerfully greeting everyone and making no effort to keep anyone out. The faculty were bringing the pickets hot coffee and sandwiches. Very friendly strike. If you are worried about hostility crossing the picket line: take coffee for them.
no subject
Date: 11 Apr 2023 14:13 (UTC)Unfortunately there's been some demonstrators going into classes and exams that are actually still going on to picket which is rather shitty. It doesn't make them look good and they need to knock that off.
Also, my default union is SO stupid. While I wouldn't want a strike, we've also not had a contract for the same amount of time as the unions that are striking and once they settle, they're not going to be all that encouraged to give two shits about my union's contract. They suck so much but thankfully by that ruling a few years ago, since I never signed the card, I don't pay dues.
That does sound like a smart way to go and yeah, feeding and coffee is always smart.
no subject
Date: 12 Apr 2023 12:16 (UTC)When we had a Bethlehem Steel plant here the workers (mostly from the Balkans) would strike and the company would bring in scabs (mostly Irish) to work. The pickets objected with their very sturdy signs that were made with head bashing in mind, the Irish would defend their right to work with brass knuckles and blackjacks. Some knives would be drawn on both sides. Riot police would be called in with tear gas and billy clubs. Ambulances would come to remove the survivors. The bookies and the newspaper made money.
It was way more fun than a few professors politely lecturing employees crossing their picket line that they were damaging the economy and promoting the power of the alt-right by disrespecting union bargaining rights.