Great. So I can?t make up my own damn mind about things now? First off, this union has only done one thing consistently for me: Taking cash from my pay check. Not once in four years have I ever received a single letter from my union informing me of events that go on and that affect me. Not once I have received an invitation to give my opinion by voting or by any means what so ever. Not once has this union asked me about how I felt on certain issues. Apparently, they feel like they can speak on my behalf. Well think again.

While I understand the principle and the importance of unions, this particular union is simply taking things to far. Here are some of the requests they have made:

Increase sick leave from 15 days a year to 30 days a year. (The average for the private sector across the country is 8 days. We already have doubled the average and we dare ask for more?)

Increase salaries by 8% the first year. That?s what they?re asking. But they?re presenting it as 4%. Essentially, they want to drop the lower pay range on the pay scale and add a new one at the top, effectively giving everyone a 4% salary increase. But that?s not good enough. They also want an additional 4% one year 1, and 3.5% over the next two years. Have I mentioned that we are again already above the national average in terms of salary for the type of work we do?

What else? ah yes, double bereavement leave. 5 days plus traveling time doesn?t cut it. Give us 10 day plus traveling time! Does anyone in the country have more than 5 days? None that I?m aware of anyway.

These are just a few of their idiotic requests. To me, when we have one of the best benefit plans in the country already, I find it very arrogant to strike. We get a personal day of leave every year, a day to volunteer, days to compensate us for extensive traveling (above and beyond overtime related to traveling), family related leave (1 week a year to take care of family members). I?m sorry, but most people don?t have these kinds of benefits. I work for the government so who pays for these benefits? The tax payers of this country pay. As you can imagine, informed people will not be supportive of us if we strike. Hell, I?m against the whole thing. I think it?s ridiculous and I think it?s important to make a stance for what you believe in. That?s why I?ll be going to work. I am not on strike. My union cannot dictate that for me. It?s a personal choice. On the other hand, if some people truly feel that they deserve these additional benefits and that the demands are reasonable, than by all means go out on the streets and proclaim to the world that you are being treated unfairly by your employer. That is your right and I won?t try to stop you. But don?t you try and stop me from making it to work. I have the right to make that choice.

Unfortunately, there are always militant people involved in these strikes. Things sometimes get out of hand. People get angry, personal property sometimes gets damaged. It only takes a few rotten apples to contaminate the rest. No one can deny the group effect strikers often experience. And then when it?s all over, they?ll just casually go back to work as if nothing happened. "Oh! I called you an asshole, but that?s because I was on strike. Let?s just ignore that and work on this project we?ve been assigned". Or worse, "yes I did spit in your face and trashed your car, but the strike is over now!". Isn?t it ironic how moronic people can get under the right circumstances?

I feel the role of unions should change. There are different stages in terms of acquiring benefits. It?s not because a contract expires that you have to get more no mater what. If that?s the case, then when does it end? If I give you all you want today, tomorrow you?ll want more. And if I give you that too, the next day you?ll ask for something else. What ever happened to just renewing a contract because it?s a good one? What about simplifying the whole pay increase formula. Instead of basing negotiations on a proper rate, why not just base it one the average annual increase of living expenses? Let the market dictate how much you should get. Prices go up 3% in a year; you get a 3% salary increase. And then, apply that to everyone across the public service. That?s right, it?s not because you?re an MP that you get 10%. It?s not because you?re a judge that you get 15%/ These "classes" have to be eliminated completely. These are things that unions should focus on. What else should unions do? Communicate better. Let their members know what goes on, and they should do so in an impartial matter. In a sense, the communication aspect should be viewed as journalism where the objective is to bring undistorted facts back to the union members so that they may make an informed decision on issues that affects them. That?s not the case today. Unions are a huge propaganda machine. They send specific messages, often related to politics. They ask people to do things on their behalf. And of course, many do what they are told without asking questions. It?s a shame. I?m just glad I don?t have to sit a table and negotiate with a lich who?s asking for unreasonable payment and threatens me that he will release his zombie army out on the streets if I don?t comply. That?s exactly what is being done in this case.

If you see employees striking, I urge you to look at the facts before you lend them your support (or your finger). Don?t just honk because their signs say so. I really don?t care which way you swing, all I want is for you to make up your own damn mind about things. And if you are an employee who?s striking, the message is the same. Don?t let people decide for you. Strike only if you feel it is appropriate, if it supports something you believe in, and if it can make a difference. People who run unions are usually not reasonable people. They?re on a mission and they have long lost their objectivity. Don?t let them dictate what reasonable is.

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