Quote Originally Posted by corktownyuppie View Post
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Look at AFSCME's response. ...<snip>...."Hell no, we won't go."

The whole system just needs to be re-designed. And if the fear is that vendors will be profiting off the back of employees, then every union should be allowed to match the winning bid. Then the union can split the "profit" among itself, like a co-operative.
I like your idea.

The core ideal to be pursued is to reduce the burden to the taxpayer/ratepayer. If the costs go down, why is it a problem if it goes to a vendor who will 'profit off the back of employees'.

However it clearly would be better to allow workers who are progressive, skilled, needed, and flexible to be better paid. But that's not the Union way, as evidenced by AFSCME's knee-jerk response.

Much more than wages, the problem with the structure of union law is 'siloed' jobs. Work changes. Needs change. There's no incentive to the Union to allow change. They should NOT be able to stand in the way of progress.

Why do you think the Japanese imports often pay MORE than union wages? Because they have the flexibility to build their cars will the needed amount of labor. No need to staff a machine designed for two workers with six.

So these consultants are crafting a solution that is all that's left. Reduce the workforce -- but increase individual pay in exchange for work rule relaxation.

Because the Union refuses to do what's best for itself and its workers in the long run, but holds dearly onto it inefficient ways of the present.

A new way of thinking is required. Your solution is elegant. Find a way to let the workers [[all of them by the way, not just the senior workers) share in savings. Let those laid-off keep some savings coming to them in the future, in exchange for leaving and finding other productive work.

[[Not sure if its still true, but a few years ago, every crew on the water board had a guy who did nothing except watch the work to 'certify' that the fire hydrants still worked right. No real work. That's just absurd.)