Come walk
Walking back and forth on the sidewalk can cause blisters. This is not from my own experience; rather, extracted from an overheard conversation. About the side effects of labour unrest. Yes, some of the civil service are still on strike, and the actual gain for society are minimal. Here is the thing. When you are on strike, and you are a member of a union, you receive strike pay. This is not to reward you for productivity. Actually the union is giving you back money saved from your dues, to keep you focused on the goal.
What I do not understand is why the supervisors continue to receive salary, if the people they administer are not in the office. Seems like a double standard. But what do I know. In more than three decades of time in the workplace, I had to go on picket duty only once. And my calculation was that the time I spent roughly covered the eventual increase in my salary. It is a zero sum gain, after all. In fact, I have never heard of an employer having to accept picket duty or token payments. Yes, the system is broken.
But back to the blisters. Apparently just standing there with a protest sign is akin to loitering, and we have statures for that. SO if you go on strike, you are apt to walk. Showing the general public that you are involved in the process. I guess. Someone told me that I will not have to go on strike for my pension, any time soon. Money already earned. I wonder how we can communicate the beauty of this to new employees. Or employers. Save the sidewalks.
As well, why do we give the politicians a free pass when their employees are on strike? Incentivize the negotiations. Make a few of the ruling class feel the pain, other than some silly questions in the legislature. Just a thought.
