gamewell45

I'm not making excuses, but thats what these guys get paid to do. News is a big money-making business in this country; money means ratings, ratings means money. The newsprint and on-air news media are there to make money; thats what their company's focus on; a story that is of little interest to the public will be put on the back shelf. Admittedly death and dirt sell in the United States. People are willing to pay to hear other peoples business or agony; if they didn't, then the media would shift its attention to whatever would sell because Its all consumer driven. Journalists do have a code of ethics; unfortunately being aggressive isn't part of that. The best weapon against overly aggressive news reporters is silence. They hate that because it means they won't have much of a story.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think that anyone in here has advocated that they shouldn't have made the payments. I believe the main thrust of the post was, right or wrong, repossessing the truck could put the citizens at risk if it was needed at an emergency scene and they had to wait for a mutual aid truck to arrive.

Relax pal. Some how I don't think you'd get the picture no matter how patiently I tried to explain it. Let it go.

Except in this case it could potentially put the lives of the residents at risk.

He's very lucky that it was not and AM station tower, otherwise the RF could have cooked him in an instant.

Labor unions are in place to improve the working conditions for employees; in some unions, training is an integral part of helping to become competent in your craft. There is no insult intended, just that those who are unionized are because they desire to have more control over their careers and terms and conditions of employment. Those who choose to work non-union are certainly within their rights; just that you go it alone and if you have an issue that comes up in the workplace or if the company decides to change the terms and conditions of your employment, you have no choice but to accept or quit. Those of our non-union co-workers do not have a collective voice in the workplace; instead they serve at the pleasure of the company and have no guarantees in the workplace aside from a few watered down Federal and state laws, particularly in the private sector. If they decide that your too expensive and and lay you off and hire a younger more inexpensive employee your gone no matter how good you feel you were or if they decide to terminate your retirement or medical plans and leave you with no retirement/medical plans they can legally do it and I've seen that happen before. As I mentioned prior in this thread, most if not all executives of corporations and/or company's have personal service agreements, which are labor contracts which spell out the terms and conditions of their employment such as benefits, pay, golden parachutes, stock options, perks, etc. Hey, these guys are not stupid, they want to protect their financial livelihood; so if management needs a contract, how come the average worker doesn't need one? Think about that for a few minutes. Would you buy a car or house without signing a contract? Why? to protect yourself financially. Labor contracts are the same thing in principal; its job security for the workers and it sets a standard of living conditions where the employee can enjoy a living wage and viable benefits package in return for supplying his/her labor to the business. There's more to the Verizon strike then what you read in the papers; these union Brothers and Sisters are in the fight for their lives; Verizon is only telling you what they want you to hear. And no, I don't work for Verizon either but as a union brother, their issue is my issue and I know if my union had an issue, they'd be right there beside me helping. Scabs are those who help to break strikes; its akin to kicking a man in the face while he's lying down and out in the dirt. They are an Anathema to every working class stiff in this country whether union or non-union; they help to ultimately lower working standards for all workers. I'd love for it to become law that each and every scab be forced to read John Steinbeck's Grapes of Wrath prior to crossing a picket line. I have no respect for scabs/replacement workers no matter who much they bluster they need work. They and their ilk are a blot on labor freedom in this country. <end of rant>

Every Thursday is Red Tee shirt day in Bro. Gerry's honor.

Amen Brother!

The attack on labor unions in this country continues, whether you are Private or Public sector. Imagine going into the hospital to have open heart surgery only to find out that your doctor, while licensed to perform open heart surgery, hasn't picked up a scalpel in over 20 years? How would you feel? do you think that you'd be getting the best treatment? Funny thing is with the Verizon Executives, they all have personal service agreements (AKA labor contracts) to protect their financial interests, but yet they don't feel the rank-and-file workers need one. Whats wrong with that picture?? They further come off as hypocrites when they opine that they are losing money, when they are paying a dozen of so of their top executives $55k per day while nickel and diming their workers over pay and medical benefits; they paint a horrible picture about the union, claiming that it is dragging down the company but what they fail to tell you is that they get a percentage bonus for all the monies they save the company and that includes employees being laid off and cuts in benefits and pay. But I guess Verizon forgot to let the media know that; it must have been an honest slip up on their part. The labor laws in this country need to be strengthened, not just in language, but in penalty as well. Right now employers (both Private and public sectors) get a slap on the wrist if they violate labor laws, whether intentional or unintentional; Labor laws need to have some "teeth" to them so their is criminal as well as civil penalties. Only then will the playing field between labor and management be level. It might be a good idea for this website to have a page for labor news and issues, so all of us who are in labor unions can have a better idea of whats going on in labor in general and not just among our individual unions so we can exchange dialogue Just my 2 cents as a life long labor activist.

Depending on what your future professional path is going to be will be what determines whether or not you need advanced education upon graduation from High School. If your planning on selling newspapers on the street corner, turning burgers at McDonald's or working as a golf caddy, then perhaps you needn't worry about having further education once you achieve your high school Diploma. That being said, In most business fields these days, many employers want to see further education; in their minds, further education is proof that you have matured, have a business mind-set, have the proper knowledge in your area of expertise and should be able to have the proper command of the English language so when you speak, so people can make sense of what your saying and also be able to write to a level that is acceptable to those you will be interfacing/working with. Aside from the public sector rank and file jobs, in particular, the private sector these days demands for most jobs, an advanced degree; most requiring a minimum Bachelors Degree in order to be considered for employment. Indeed, even in certain circumstances, public sector rank and file jobs, if you have a higher degree of education, it certainly helps you obtain employment over one who has either a high school diploma or GED. While knowledge is always a good thing to have, it should not be a requirement for employment because there are jobs out there where a college degree is not necessary as of the type of work that is being done requires no additional education beyond high school, such as many entry level service industry jobs. Obviously for many management positions (for those of you aspiring to move through the ranks and become the big kahuna) will require further education depending on the industry your in. I think that in the public sector, having a higher education is a definite plus and if you have the means to secure a higher level of education, by all means, you should do it. On a final note; most individuals who possess higher education degrees as a rule tend to make more money as opposed to those who work jobs that don't require further education, excepting certain jobs which are union represented and those employees on a larger scale are very well compensated in comparison with their college educated counterparts.

I'm curious as to why the Park Police didn't euthanize the racoon themselves? Or are they unarmed?

I think the news media at KOCO needs to understand the difference between paid and volunteer. If I understand the news clip, the volunteers were "excised" from the department and the sole paid member, the chief was terminated from his position. The 15 volunteers that were "excised" from the department were invited to re-apply for membership as volunteers. The newly "hired" 8 firefighters are likewise volunteers; its possible that some of the 15 "excised" volunteers might be re-appointed as volunteers within the department. I know it sounds confusing and even the citizens of the community are confused about this as well; maybe this is the way things are done in that part of Oklahoma. What comes to mind is; is the new chief truly a "volunteer" or did they have a last minute change of heart and decide to pay him/her a salary. And what are his/her credentials if any? Do the 8 newly "hired" firefighters have any training whatsoever to perform their duties at fire scenes?? If I were the citizens of Cashion, I'd demand answers from the town council.

I think that a signal-stat flashing lollipop in the grill should suffice; that combined with the vehicles factory supplied four-way flashers would cover your rear. Guess I'm old fashioned as well.

It wouldn't surprise me that given the facts from the story, if true, he might see the charges reduced.

Agreed. Thanks for pointing that out to me.

I've often wondered what the litmus test is that suddenly makes one who turns 21 suddenly qualitied to drive fire apparatus. One day your 20 years old and unqualified to drive, then suddenly with the wave of a magic wand, the next day you turn 21 and your blessed to drive (after proper training on the apparatus). I know of people who are in their forties, fifties and even older who shouldn't even be allowed behind the wheel of a POV, much less fire apparatus and yet I know 18 and 19 year olds who are extremely responsible good drivers. I think it comes down to deciding on an individual basis by the chief or chief driver as to who should be driving. Is simply the act of turning 21 make one qualified or is it based on a number of factors including but not limited to character, proven responsiblity and/or driving experience?

Its best to join the union, afterall there is strength in numbers and the more "members" you have, the better leverage your union will have at the bargaining table. If the local is broke as you say, the increase in membership will eventually help the local since it will mean more dues. I'm not sure if the agency fee payer rule applies in this instance since your Public Sector - Federal Government; however if you don't join, you will not have a voice nor a vote on things such as contracts, leadership, union sponsored training or any other non-contractual benefits they may offer. I'm curious, is the union by chance AFGE?

November, 1975; goodyear rubber boots, 3/4 black--non nomex-- coats, MSA plastic helmet complete with opaque Plectron face shield, "rubber gloves" (the kind that melted when you touched something too hot), MSA SCBA (2 packs per company), Plectrons (waiting list - count the box on the horns and roll), Gasoline standard shift apparatus, lolipops on the '48 American LaFrance Foamite, brass couplings, rookies cleaned everyone elses turnout gear/folded/put away for one year, etc......

It would appear that Mr. Finn enjoys flexing his muscles when it comes to dealing with the fire fighters union. So much for a working "partnership" between union and management while he is in the picture; I hope that PERB puts the city of Peekskill on notice that they are not above the law when it comes to labor-management issues.

Hopefully your not serious about bringing a charged line into your house alone if it catches fire.

I agree there is a culture in some fire departments of being complacent in their training and its something that needs to change; sometimes it takes agonizingly long periods of time to effect change. It reminds me of when i first joined the fire service, SCBA's were relatively new to the service or at least in our region; some of the older members didn't feel that they were needed and "real" men ate smoke as part of the ritual of becoming a fire fighter. But eventually a combination of reasoning and pressure from various groups forced change to take place. FASNY will be conducting their convention in August; this would be a good time to have a resolution drafted and submitted stating yours and others positions on training issues, etc. You'd be amazed at the effect that a resolution and petition signed by hundreds of fire fighters can have on the FASNY leadership; they will listen if there is enough groundswell support.

That's nothing more then a cop-out. Put it in writing; meet with them. Otherwise complaining about it in here is tanamount to talking to yourself. FASNY also has their annual convention in August; you can always draft a resolution stating your issues and submit it for passage.

That's great that you think that FASNY is hindering advancement of the volunteer fire service in the state; It's even wonderful that you can debate the merits of the issue here on EMTBravo.net; but wouldn't it make sense for you to approach FASNY with your concerns? To put together a committee of concerned firefighters from Westchester County and arrange a meeting to discuss the issue with them? Debating it here is very convienient, but all too often, this is where it ends. If I felt as strongly as you appear, I'd get in contact with FASNY and express my concerns; for all you know, they may feel that everything down in Westchester County is hunky dory. FASNY can't fix the problem if they don't think enough people are concerned about it. Be part of the solution, not the problem. Contact them and make them aware in writing and verbally of your concerns.

Thats a great concept; but for some departments, its not feasible. We can't assume that all volunteers work 9-5pm jobs; many of us work various shifts and in some cases, the hours are not stabile at all. Requiring a volunteer that he/she has to stay at the fire station on standby for 8-12 hours isn't going to fly too well with many of them, especially if they have errands or other committments to get done on their day off. Its one thing to ask a volunteer to stay in town and with pager notification, respond to calls, but requiring them to stay on standby (I'm not referring to emergency standbys) is a bit much to expect compliance with. I'm in agreement with you on combo departments; with them come the cost of manning them which places more of a tax burden on the taxpayers, particularly those in rural/bedroom communities where their is little or no commerical businesses located; however if it comes to the point where you can't provide fire protection or consolidation efforts fail, then its an option that will have to be seriously explored.

You most likely won't see that for years since there is no money for that at this time; particularly with political parties demonizing public sector workers salaries and benefits. Should the economy improve to a point where the county can "sell" it to the public, then maybe. Eitherway, I wouldn't get your hopes up to soon.