Reply #52: I don't know what I find more discouraging

[footinmouth]

The fact that I can't remember what my union job title was from back in 1973 or the fact that so many people are nitpicking on it.

To clarify: Back in the day, if you were one of those people who abused your sick time, or didn't bother to show up for work at all (without calling in) I was the person who accompanied you when you faced your supervisor. I was the one who had to plead your case for not losing your job. I really don't remember what I was called, I just remember having to think of ways to help plead their case. It was a thankless job.

Fast forward to the 2000's: While working for the school district I was a "building rep". I sat in with people who were doing their jobs, but management persisted in trying to make contract violations. I remember one case vividly - Our contract allowed us 5 bereavement days for loss of a parent. One employee's mother passed away on Christmas Eve (which was a paid day off). The district actually tried to tell the employee that Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and the weekend were 4 of the 5 days. Cripes, can they sink any lower? The employee prevailed in every one of the contract violation cases. I found this far more rewarding than trying to defend people who were abusing the system.

I've gone way off topic here, sorry about that but I finally found a topic where I have some experience.