Collective bargaining laws up for discussion

Good points Vet.  Don't forget the de facto age discrimination in the private sector.  Let's say your hope was to save a max amount in your 401k for your final 10 working years.  Then how about getting laid off at 55 or 60 and trying to find the same work at similar pay.  Good luck!  So not only lose a job and end up taking one at lower pay, but now you can't catch up on your retirement savings.  All while people like Irisner, the pot bellied cops getting Twinkies at Speedway, or the cop at the library who is half-asleep all day don't have to worry about age discrimination or the ravages of the economy.  No no.  Heck, they can't wait to get older because that's when the gravy train really starts!  Maxing out the overtime so that their final pension figures get boosted.  Happily counting down the weeks and months to retirement with no fear of downsizing....let alone no fear of working hard.  Hell, that's for the young bucks on the force.  Don't you see, a job is an ENTITLEMENT and a RIGHT according to people like AJ.  He's learned well in the 4 years he's had a driver's license that once hired, never fired.  Heads, union guy wins, tails we all lose.

Irisner- I have a question for you. I'm not trying to be argumentative. Just trying to learn something from a union person as I have never worked in a union environment before.

Question: (please don't answer if this gets too personal- I understand)

You obviously have health, dental, probably vision and some type of retirement package, do you not? If so, what is your contribution to these programs out of your wages in percentage? If your answer is that I don't contribute anything, it is all paid for by my employer, you are already light years ahead of most of us. We are asked to contribute more as time goes by to our dental, health, vision premiums and some employers have cut way back on the amount of money they are plowing into ones retirement. That means, if we are going to have a decent 401K at the end of our working days, we will need to have more and more deducted from our pay to make up for what the employer use to put in...if we can afford to do so. Most can't as the wages aren't that terrific to dedicate a large portion to one's retirement.

Question: Have you ever had a year when you got no raise? How about a .5% raise? 1% anytime? I have on several occasions during my 40+ years of working. Just the way it is in a non-union environment and there's no one to go to to "air a grievance" or bargain. You take it and go on because there is no one to listen to your dissatisfaction. OR, do the union folks usually....always get a 3 percenter every year like clockwork that is based on contract negotiations BEFORE the work is actually done rather than on contributions or merit for the year based on work that has BEEN DONE?

Thanks, in advance, for your input if you choose to participate.

Hey start talking Unions and the loony Union guys come out of the woodwork.  Hey I have no problem honoring the current contract.  I say just start laying off police and fire as was men toned elsewhere on here.  Stop picking on the little guy to support the Public Safety unions.

Randy --

Hey Randy I will be at the meeting to not only show support for josh but let the rest to council know that the voters are behind him as well. Paul N. I agree with what you are saying but I am very concerned about privatizing and regionalism. I think if the government would let the cities run them selves they would be allot more efficient, but still have control.

Paul outsourcing was discussed on here a few years ago.  I think if you search for inter-governmental contracts it may come up.

Sure I would he wouldn't be any worse than what we have representing us now

Just read his Facebook sounds like hes running for the Senate (maybe president some day who knows) 

Good points Paul.  And I think, in more ways than one, AJ Smith's positions are rarely what is best for the CITY.  They usually are what is best for him, for unions, for a select few cronies, etc.

I think this would be a great time to show up at meeting and show your support to Josh and show the rest of council that this is something that needs to be done or at least looked into. Does anyone plan on attending?

 

This should be a heated topic:

Resolution No. R2010-42, a resolution urging the Ohio General Assembly to reexamine and reconsider State laws limiting the ability of local governments to control personnel costs. (1st Reading)

Taken from Aj smith's Facebook Page

Josh is showing a lot of guts by bringing this to the forefront,a valiant effort. But I'm afraid his efforts will be wasted because the city is not going to fight the union and the union is not going to just fade into the background,although I wish they would. As I've said a thousand times and now for a thousand and one,police & fire have no business being unionized. Most unions are nothing more than organized crime syndicates,they will go to any length to obtain their objective including literally holding a city hostage.

I hope Josh sticks to his guns on this and demands more from council and city leaders.