A factoid from my past and labor unions and the 99%

[lifesbeautifulmagic]

A couple of nights ago, at a family gathering, we started talking about those who have passed - apparently, my uncle, who was a WWII vet, worked for a huge manufacturer, for years and years after the war. He had a heart attack in the late 1950"s, and he was paid his full salary during his 4 month rehabilitation.

He was union, and had sick leave that accumulated, and as he never missed work, had just a ton at time of his heart event. Full pay for four months did a lot to ease the effects of this attack, his family came through fine.

I just thought that was interesting, as most jobs these days do not have any type of sick leave, and those that do, it certainly does not accumulate. A younger relative recently had the same type of event, and is taking short term disability, but with 60% of his salary, and the medical bills rolling in, no bets on his fiscal future.

I guess wall street and those bain capital types not only made money by breaking up companies, sending jobs overseas, but by reducing and/or eliminating benefits.

A lot of things were screwed up in the 50's, but i wonder if that generation knows how good they had it fiscally, with union jobs, good benefits, and a high tax rate for the very rich.

jmho

[dtexdem]

1. We had very good health coverage in the 1950s on the basis of my dad's sheet metal job.

And, of course, on the basis of the Machinist Union's contract with his employer.

[SharonAnn]

2. Even more important, does the current generation how it got so good for the previous generation?

Does the current generation even know how good it was for the previous generation?

Unions.

[demosincebirth]

3. Look up State and County employees

[ret5hd]

5. why begrudge somebody that has what we ALL should have?

[demosincebirth]

7. Why do you assume that I'm begrudging anyone who has barganing power. I just

made a statement. See my avatar? that's what I stand for.

[Norrin Radd]

4. kr

[Taverner]

6. I am the "Contract Professional" and as a result I can't take sick days

Or I don't get paid

So I come to work sick

How is that good for the company?