ExCon90 wrote:And a transit strike will help fix that?you can't look at it as a transit strike specifically, the rank and file don't. i brought that example up just to show the reactive versus proactive nature of management.
jackintosh11 wrote:By striking they could lose more money than they get from the resulting raise. It seems really pointless.unless it's really short you're probably right, at least as far as this and maybe one more year's wages are concerned, but this is more than anything about a long term issue. i'm a long way from retirement, and i want something waiting for me when i get there. the retirement package and job security are quite honestly the only thing that keeps a lot of people at septa, myself included. we have the perks and benefits we do because, all in all, it's a pretty crappy place to work. the conditions suck nine times out of ten, and at times it can be downright dangerous. i've been in the middle of a gun fight four times (as have most of the track welders on night shift, as well as many operators), my partner had bleach thrown in his face by a passerby, and operators and track maintenance people are regularly harangued by the public for things beyond their control.
speaking from a maintenance standpoint, it is extremely frustrating to never have the proper tools or materials to do a job properly. nearly every break i repair exhibits signs of being repaired several times already. if 234 loses it's cushy retirement package, you will see an exodus of skilled and experienced personnel.