big_ten_staff (original) (raw)

Our clerical and technical staff are striking starting today. Doesn't involve me, and my job shouldn't be too affected. I feel bad for the students who just started school and still need all the assistence they can get. My undergrad's financial aid isn't set in stone yet for the semester and she's freaking out since the entire financial aid office other than managers is now out.

The president of their union was on the news a couple of days ago. I'm sure she talked for 20 minutes or so, but the 10 second sound bite they played on the news made her sound like a complete jerk and did nothing to garner sympathy for their cause. I have no doubt the other side is doing the same thing, but it just leaves a dirty taste in everyone's mouth on the whole issue when the students are used as pawns in the dispute.

The one thing that DOES affect my job is our new lack of approved vacation/sick leave. I think they both want to guard against sympathy strikes and other work outages, and make sure they have people to cover the gaps left by the strikers. So when my son threw up this morning, I could only stay home with him and use my paid sick leave if I could produce a doctor's note verifying the illness. Since I'm not going to urgent care to have them look at me like I'm a moron for rushing a kid in over one instance of vomit, but he's not allowed at daycare..well, sorry Grandma, but thanks for babysitting.

As a friend of mine who is now reluctantly out on the picket line said, "Can't we all just get along?"