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So the non-strike continues. Which is to say, we're still on the job, but we don't have a contract yet, and the company and the union keep throwing propaganda at us and acting silly. Now, don't get me wrong, I greatly appreciate everything CWA (the union) has done in terms of securing benefits and good working conditions. I really and truly do. But y'know, sometimes they just make me want to shake my head and seek out analgesics.
Take today, for example. The first thing I noticed as I drove up was the "informational picketing" that had started this morning. Informational picketing is much like strike picketing, except that you can cross the line and go in without anyone getting their undies in a bunch over it. Basically, union members are supposed to be doing the oscillating-sign-walk thing to let the world know that just because we're still on the job doesn't mean that the company doesn't blow goats. But since everyone is either working or unwilling to come in on their day off, the picketing head count never reached above three. And since walking back and forth alone is dull, it was always this little knot of three people with signs, walking back...and forth...and back...
So I went inside, and immediately was asked, "Where's your red?" I hadn't realized that this, being Thursday, was Wear Red Day for union members. This is not, I repeat, not to be confused with Friday, which is Wear Black Day. (I wish to God I were making this up.) It's supposed to be a show of solidarity, for...um...well, I guess in case Ivan Seidenberg pops into Glens Falls on a beer run or something. I got dirty looks.
Ideally, I was supposed to be wearing my spankin'-new official Union T-shirt. The shirt bears a picture of a cobra in a defensive posture, in an illustration that looks like it was cribbed from a prison tattoo. Above it reads, "WHEN PROVOKED, WILL STRIKE." I cannot think of one item I own that is more not-me than that one. At least Colleen dealt with it the right way: she and her brother Rodney brainstormed on some new possible T-shirt slogans, which I contributed to as well later on. A small sampling:
* I went on strike, and all I got was this lousy T-shirt
* I'm not fat; it's all that stored customer care
* CWA: The only exercise we get
* Verizon worker: will take verbal abuse for food
* When provoked, will strike. Talk like Yoda we will. Mm. Laugh at us not.
So I'm at work, in my (let the record show) green T-shirt, and I'm taking calls, and Rob W. next to me motions for me to stand. I had forgotten our other Show of Solidaritytm: because we're CWA Local 1104, we had to (pay attention, now) stand up at 11:04 a.m., remain standing at our desks for five or so minutes while continuing to work, then sit down. I'll say that again: we had to stand up at 11:04 a.m., remain standing for five minutes, then sit.
Yeah.
As Col put it, "Take that, Verizon!"
*shakes head, goes off in search of analgesics*
Take today, for example. The first thing I noticed as I drove up was the "informational picketing" that had started this morning. Informational picketing is much like strike picketing, except that you can cross the line and go in without anyone getting their undies in a bunch over it. Basically, union members are supposed to be doing the oscillating-sign-walk thing to let the world know that just because we're still on the job doesn't mean that the company doesn't blow goats. But since everyone is either working or unwilling to come in on their day off, the picketing head count never reached above three. And since walking back and forth alone is dull, it was always this little knot of three people with signs, walking back...and forth...and back...
So I went inside, and immediately was asked, "Where's your red?" I hadn't realized that this, being Thursday, was Wear Red Day for union members. This is not, I repeat, not to be confused with Friday, which is Wear Black Day. (I wish to God I were making this up.) It's supposed to be a show of solidarity, for...um...well, I guess in case Ivan Seidenberg pops into Glens Falls on a beer run or something. I got dirty looks.
Ideally, I was supposed to be wearing my spankin'-new official Union T-shirt. The shirt bears a picture of a cobra in a defensive posture, in an illustration that looks like it was cribbed from a prison tattoo. Above it reads, "WHEN PROVOKED, WILL STRIKE." I cannot think of one item I own that is more not-me than that one. At least Colleen dealt with it the right way: she and her brother Rodney brainstormed on some new possible T-shirt slogans, which I contributed to as well later on. A small sampling:
* I went on strike, and all I got was this lousy T-shirt
* I'm not fat; it's all that stored customer care
* CWA: The only exercise we get
* Verizon worker: will take verbal abuse for food
* When provoked, will strike. Talk like Yoda we will. Mm. Laugh at us not.
So I'm at work, in my (let the record show) green T-shirt, and I'm taking calls, and Rob W. next to me motions for me to stand. I had forgotten our other Show of Solidaritytm: because we're CWA Local 1104, we had to (pay attention, now) stand up at 11:04 a.m., remain standing at our desks for five or so minutes while continuing to work, then sit down. I'll say that again: we had to stand up at 11:04 a.m., remain standing for five minutes, then sit.
Yeah.
As Col put it, "Take that, Verizon!"
*shakes head, goes off in search of analgesics*
