to good to pass up
By lovesfreedom
@lovesfreedom (1245)
United States
April 12, 2007 4:26am CST
I received a call today from a healthcare travel staffing company asking me to go to West Virginia or Kentucky to do a short term contract. If I do this, I will only be gone for 2 weeks. The pay is high and the contract includes round trip airfare, housing and transportation to and from the facility.
The problem is, the reason I am needed is because the employees are going on strike. I have been fighting with myself over this because if I was picketing for better wages and benefits, I am not sure how I would feel about somebody crossing my line. But then on the other hand, I think about the patients needing care and nobody to give it to them because they are all on strike.
I have been out of work to long and like I said, the pay is extremely good, so I am thinking that it is to good to pass up. I desparately need the money so I can catch up on bills. Two weeks working about 72-80 hours each week would bring in some awesome cash.
Would you ever cross a picket line? I know I probably would not think of doing it if I wasn't in such need for money.
2 people like this
14 responses
@lovesfreedom (1245)
• United States
15 Apr 07
This is true. All of the places (states) I have worked in have not allowed unions in healthcare. I personally do not think it is a good idea, just because when people are sick, they need to be taken care of and that is not possible if the 9 hospitals in the area are all on strike.
@avonrep1 (1862)
• United States
12 Apr 07
This is a hard call. Personally though I think manufactoring unions in the US have out lived their use. I still would never cross a picket line, because not all unions have out lived their use.
But I have been know to do what I have to do to support my family. So if I need the money, I might consider it, if I could find nothing else.
But before I crossed a picket line, I would become a dancer and strip. That is me personally. When people are fighting for better and fair wages and benefits, it doesn't no good, if others come in and do the job.
That happening, keeps companies from having to pay a fair wage. Good luck on this choice you have to make. What ever you decide, it is what is best for your family, and I have nothing against that.
1 person likes this
@lovesfreedom (1245)
• United States
15 Apr 07
I understand about fair wages. The dilemma for me is that this is healthcare and should the patients pay because they have nobody to take care of them?
But at the same time, I have placed a strict time limit on this since my husband deploys soon.
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
12 Apr 07
I have never been faced with that problem but I think it would depend on my priorities. If I need money and you say it is well paid I would definitely risk it. I thought that there was security at picket lines?
1 person likes this
@lovesfreedom (1245)
• United States
15 Apr 07
There can be security risks, but the company I would work for takes you in away from the lines in a bus with the windows darkened.
I have all my paperwork in and am now waiting to hear from them. The one thing I can say for sure is, if they don't get me on a plane by Wednesday I will not be going. I refuse to be away from my husband on the day he gets on the plane to return to Iraq. There are some things that can't be compromised and that is one of them. I don't care if it is $10,000 for 2 weeks work.
@crazynurse (7482)
• United States
12 Apr 07
Being a nurse, my first thought is the patients who did not ask for a strike and desparately need care. If you have bills to pay and they need care, it seems like a win-win situation to me!
1 person likes this
@lovesfreedom (1245)
• United States
12 Apr 07
That is always my first concern, the patients, this strike is affecting 9 hospitals in the Appalachians. There are alot of poor in Appalachia and I wonder how will they be cared for if these small hospitals do not have staff.
@kurtbiewald (2625)
• United States
13 Apr 07
they probably (the strikers) would understand, if you really need the money go for it
sounds like the strike will be over in two weeks, so they get what the union asked for anyway
@Cyklo1974 (351)
• United States
12 Apr 07
you got bills to pay, it's only for 2 weeks i would say jump on it. There is a reason this avenue has opened up for you, dont pass it up!
1 person likes this
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
12 Apr 07
Principles are great, but they certainly don't pay the bills. It's not as if you could say to the rent people or the utilities company that the reason why you don't have money is because you had principles not to cross the picket line, naturally they would say that is fine don't worry about it NOT! Think about YOU my friend and your family they come first and you need to provide. The offer sounds far too good to pass up and personally I would take it.
1 person likes this
@elisata (568)
• Netherlands
12 Apr 07
I would never break a strike, therefor not cross a picket line. In my working days my collegues where I worked as a free lancer, went on strike at some point, and I refused to work that day as well, even though it cost me a day's pay - not being on te payroll...
I have always been an active union member, so maybe I am a bit rigid in this kind of things, but if the court does not forbid the strike and it therefor is legit, then I would never break it, despite my need for money. Striking is a long fought for right in a democracy, value it!
@rosie_123 (6113)
•
12 Apr 07
Well this is a difficult one. Personally, I must be honest, and say I have NEVER crossed a picket line and never would. That is my cjoice - I am very strongly Union, and I would feel too bad and guilty to do it. I could never live with myself aterwards for betraying my principles, no matter how good the monetary incentive. However, I do understand your dilemma, and it is not for me to criticise your choices. It had to be your choice, and you must consider whether you can live with any giult you may feel afterwards or not. Good Luck!.
@Destiny007 (5805)
• United States
12 Apr 07
Absolutely.
That is one thing that's wrong with unions...they call a strike with no regard as to who gets hurt by it.
The union that we had was a bargaining unit only, with no strike rights.
Anything involved in HealthCare, Public Safety, or necessary services should not strike.
I say go for it.
If the strikers don't care about the patients then someone has to take up the slack.
1 person likes this
@maria_k (925)
• United States
12 Apr 07
I understand your concern, I would feel the same way. On the other hand as you said, patient needing care and if you don't do it some one else will. As I can see, management cannot keep this for ever. It's too costly. So, management will sit down with the union to negotiate. So go for it my friend. Stay at home will not help your fellow union members.
1 person likes this
@charms88 (7538)
• Philippines
12 Apr 07
Oh loves, I would have gladly traded with you for a chance to work outside again. Such opportunity are rare nowadays. I've been living without work for about 9 years now. I tried to do some work on the sideline just to earn money. I'm getting pretty restless and bored for the last few years. Go ahead, loves, take it and be on your way to take this chance. Two weeks is certainly a short time only. I would have demanded a longer period of time. Good luck!
1 person likes this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
12 Apr 07
It's only 2 weeks. Before you know it, it will be over. For the money, my friend, I would definitely go for it. Go on, don't waste it. Opportunities do not always find their way to your door. :P
@heres2thescarsUleft (313)
• United States
12 Apr 07
You need to take care of yourself...and paying the bills is one of the things you need to do to take care of yourself.
