New England B.S. Thread

It IS crazy! Perfect trout stream right behind your house! DOO EET!!!

 

I'm hoping the last house sells soon--got another showing this weekend. Could use the money from that to fund all the things I want to do to this one!

 

There are some services where other people will deliver almost anything to you. Groceries, take out, alcohol, etc...

 

Stoppies in Whitman was closer

Did that for a bit in college. Hated the union bullshit

 

It's only 1 and I want to go home already

 

Retail was non-union for me, there were talks, but I refused to be a part of them.

Also non-union and have my own contract in my current position, thankfully.

 

I'm not against them in general. The Shaw's union at my store was poorly run..the 2union stewards were also department managers, so they'd fight for their own and then say I GAS to the rank and file.

 

try a school union, its completely FUCKED!

 

I'd rather negotiate for myself. I think I do a good job at it.

I'm opposed to them where I am now. Too many fantastic new hires in this line of work don't even have a chance because nothing matters but seniority. There are other reasons too, but best not to get into them.

 

Ha, Bingo. Wasn't going to say it, but you beat me to it.

 

Proud Teamster, great rep and pension

 

Union was good if you didn't want to work, and didn't want to get fired.

 

Unions are/were needed at one point, but I question the need now. Some would say the unions were a big part of the auto industry collapse.

 

I would even say that unions for other municipal jobs have helped bring about quite a lot of debt for the various states and towns. No one seems to have the guts to stand up and say that funded pension plans are being done away with and we're going to straight 401K plans like the private sector for people hired after a certain date.

 

No time to install the new wheels today, but I picked them up from the tire shop at lunch.

 

I'll admit, I have a state pension. I also don't pay into social security.

As far as MA goes, newer state pensions have no contribution by the state, so employees pay in the full amount. But, we're still contributing for people who were hired before that cutoff. Also, how sustainable the system is is questionable and they should probably do away with it.

 

Do you get to start drawing your pension as soon as you retire? Friend of mine retired after 20 years as an LEO here in RI at the age of 41. Flat out told me that he would draw more out than he ever put in. Unions aren't as prevelant down south so I wasn't aware of how things went til I moved up here and saw it in action.

 

Yes, but I can't retire until I'm 60. (Or, I guess I could retire earlier and take a lower benefit, but wouldn't see a dime until I'm 60.) At that point I'd get the maximum possible, but that's only because I've been working a public job since I was 19. You need 40 years service to hit the maximum. Contributions for everyone are about 10% now (9% + 2% of the remainder).

I think a lot of that sort of thing was happening--people were retiring very young with very little service and making out great. They changed that a lot, most recently was just before I was hired so maybe 8 years ago. No one can ever retire before 60 now, and most wouldn't see anywhere near the maximum benefit at that age--they'd need to stay quite a few years longer.

Also, take note this is Massachusetts. Other states are probably different.

 

True. Every state is different. I know that the Toyota plant in KY, they told the employees there that if a union vote was even bought up, much less passed, they would shut the plant down. Not sure how strong the threat is now with all the models being made there but it made an impact on people. That and the fact that Toyota has never laid people off.

 

so yea.........umm adding to our family tonight......a little earlier than planned and pre-surgery but Biscotti will be with us from now on. The adoption agency is still paying and handling the surgery (as it is stated in the contract) but the foster can not have her anymore so we will have her here tonight