Toll collectors

[TheSpecialist]

they on average earn about $70K a year, not 70 dollars an hour. A big difference, although still a lot of money.

Personally I am sick of the union bashing on this site, who are any of you to say how much money a blue collar person earns is too much. The whole object of working for a living is to provide for your family, I am sure that all of you are making just enough though.

[spence]

Originally Posted by TheSpecialist

Personally I am sick of the union bashing on this site, who are any of you to say how much money a blue collar person earns is too much. The whole object of working for a living is to provide for your family, I am sure that all of you are making just enough though.

And just exactly what did I say that was "union bashing".

Do they make on average 70K a year? Yes, it's a fact.

Is 70K a year a lot of money? I think most people on this site would agree that's not chump change. In context of the service they provide, I think most would also agree that it's a highly compensated job considering the skills necessary.

The idea of a Union is to help keep business from taking advantage of workers, not for the workers to gain an unfair advantage themselves.

-spence

[TheSpecialist]

Is 70K a year a lot of money? I think most people on this site would agree that's not chump change. In context of the service they provide, I think most would also agree that it's a highly compensated job considering the skills necessary.

The idea of a Union is to help keep business from taking advantage of workers, not for the workers to gain an unfair advantage themselves.

So what they should be working for 35k a year? Most people can't afford to buy a house today making 100k a year, and raise a family as well. All I am saying is that no one is saying that white collar people make too much coin, it's always the jobs that are considered blue collar.


If they made more money, then maybe there would be more stay at home moms, and less crap in this world.

[fishbones]

Originally Posted by TheSpecialist

So what they should be working for 35k a year? Most people can't afford to buy a house today making 100k a year, and raise a family as well. All I am saying is that no one is saying that white collar people make too much coin, it's always the jobs that are considered blue collar.


If they made more money, then maybe there would be more stay at home moms, and less crap in this world.

So their jobs are harder than the social services worker helping individuals who live in group homes that make less than $35k? Why don't you defend the non-union people who make half of what the toll workers make?

Union or not, they have a job that pays them much more than they would make at other jobs that require the same skill set.

As for the complaining about white collar jobs; did you happen to read any of the comments about the AIG employees?

[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by TheSpecialist

Personally I am sick of the union bashing on this site, who are any of you to say how much money a blue collar person earns is too much. The whole object of working for a living is to provide for your family, I am sure that all of you are making just enough though.

When did anyone say anything about Unions?

When they stop raising the rates *I* have to pay at the tolls because the state doesn't have enough money, then *I* will stop being concerned with how much people being paid with *my* tax dollars receive.

But since you decided to bring it up, I find no coincidence that expenses are always higher when Unions are involved, even though the quality of work doesn't improve.

[TheSpecialist]

When did anyone say anything about Unions?

Lets see first you guys blame the Auto workers for the demise of the american automobile industry, now you complain about toll takers who are earning a decent living.

Let's see the toll takers put up with verbal abuse, possible cancer causing pollution, environmental hazards, and the rish that some idiot will plow into their booth.

On the other hand you have State senators taking bribes, per diems for reporting to a job ( show me a person working in Boston who commutes in the private sector aside form ceo's and gets per diems), pension rules that are a joke and you guys complain about the little guys. It's not the toll takers fault that your pal Deval is raising tolls and taxes. Didn't he promise you lower property taxes, no new taxes, and no higher tolls when he was running??? Why not bitch about the cushy jobs he has been giving to pals, jobs that have not been needed in years?

[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by TheSpecialist

Lets see first you guys blame the Auto workers for the demise of the american automobile industry, now you complain about toll takers who are earning a decent living.

Let's see the toll takers put up with verbal abuse, possible cancer causing pollution, environmental hazards, and the rish that some idiot will plow into their booth.

On the other hand you have State senators taking bribes, per diems for reporting to a job ( show me a person working in Boston who commutes in the private sector aside form ceo's and gets per diems), pension rules that are a joke and you guys complain about the little guys. It's not the toll takers fault that your pal Deval is raising tolls and taxes. Didn't he promise you lower property taxes, no new taxes, and no higher tolls when he was running??? Why not bitch about the cushy jobs he has been giving to pals, jobs that have not been needed in years?

So the correct answer to my question about when the subject of Unions was brought up is "never".

Almost any Union work I have seen is shoddy and significantly more expensive than non-union. And I have worked with dozens of different Unions throughout the country.

That's what happens when a whole organization is run with scheduled raises and seniority as opposed to merit-based pay. Doesn't matter if you suck at your job, as long as you do the absolute minimum required, the employer can't fire you.

[Raider Ronnie]

Originally Posted by TheSpecialist

Personally I am sick of the union bashing on this site, who are any of you to say how much money a blue collar person earns is too much. The whole object of working for a living is to provide for your family, I am sure that all of you are making just enough though.

Hey Bill,
I know the company you work for and you are abviously toe the union line. I know quite a few other guys who work for the same company also.
There was a time when unions were needed in this country when workers were taken advantage of , but those days are long gone and the unions have taken things WAY too far !!!
In this state (Ma.) the most corrupt of them all are city and state unions.
I grew up in the city and personally know 100s of city and state workers and I can tell you 100s of stories of the scams that go on !
Most of those jobs you don't apply for.
You are either born into them through family and or you buy them.
For years in the city it was common knowledge that if you wanted a job with the T, you handed $$$ over to Bill Bulger.
The turnpike authority, Joe Mokley
Then we have the scam that is Boston police and Boston Fire dept.
Ever seen the stat of how many Boston fireman retire on disability , and it's usually at a superior's rate because he just happen to bang in sick the day you slipped on a banana peal, or hurt your back, and for that day he's out you move up in rank.
Why is it that we are the only other state (besides Hawaii ) that you need to have police details ?

[Raider Ronnie]

I stand corrected.
It is 70 k per year average, not $70 per hr
But that still WAY TOO MUCH.

[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by Raider Ronnie

Why is it that we are the only other state (besides Hawaii ) that you need to have police details ?

This pisses me off. The amount of money wasted. Then, the state overturns the policy and the flag workers get harassed by off-duty cops. I wish I could find the news story but I can't at the moment.