Are you losing your mind over the "everyone goes to work sick because otherwise they don't get paid" article? I am! You should be! It is pretty revolting that in America you have to go wait tables with the swine flu so you don't become homeless. Here is how Randel K. Johnson, the "senior vice president for labor at the United States Chamber of Commerce," downplays America's lack of sick leave: "The problem is not nearly as great as some people say. Lots of employers work these things out on an ad hoc basis with their employees." Here's how the Times follows up his claim: "According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 39 percent of private-sector workers do not receive paid sick leave." Which: LOL. And also: JESUS CHRIST. Not surprisingly, Mr. Johnson is actually a regular spreader of anti-worker propaganda.
Johnson actively spread misinformation about what he called the "misnamed Employee Free Choice Act," happily spouting anti-union baloney.
He's also a proponent of "increased border security" as a solution to the Mexican slave labor class. But, but: the businesses that make up the Chamber of Commerce are the ones hiring Mexican slaves!
Oh and he's testified for [Google docs link!] regulating OSHA's ability to act-recommending that they be hobbled to only take action in the case of a "significant risk" to public health.
He's also opposed any attempts to raise the minimum wage. Because, you know, that hurts businesses!
He's not all bad though! He came out against forcing stimulus-money-receiving businesses from using the "Basic Pilot," the half-assed government employment verification program.
Disingenuous, in that they obviously provide sick leave at the Barber College where Randy gets his haircuts.
Not so at Walmart, where he picked up the monster mask.
Ooh I spelled it wrong. 0 for 2! Have at me!
Somewhat related - this is the current captivate (shut up I love captivate) poll:
People who knowingly come to work with the flu should…
... be fired.
... face charges.
... be forced to go home.
... get a conscience.
Which, ummm??? Whaaaat???
I saw that in the elevator at work yesterday. Jesus fucking christ. I love living in this country but sometimes Europe's more generous treatment of workers - OMG SOCIALISM! - looks awfully tempting to go back to.
Write-in options:
...be drawn and quartered.
...be locked in a pen full of angry pigs.
...sit and spin.
...fuck off you inconsiderate bastards how dare you show up in your place of work where you may or may not have deadlines to meet with that runny nose you monster.
My horizontally challenged boss thought captivate monitors were touch-screens. Forreals. He lathered his stubby fingers all over that shit.
Also, Randel?
The thing that kills me is that the businesses the US CoC supposedly represents are hurt by people coming to work sick, just like everyone else! Because when your worker gets a cup of coffee from a swine flu zombie, then gets the swine flu YOU LOSE MONEY BECAUSE THEY CAN' T DO THE WORK YOU NEED THEM TO DO.
This is the bottom line that no one gets, not if you tell them a gazillion times. They seem to be labouring under the delusion there is some sort of class-line that prevents H1N1 from propagating upwards, perhaps?
I know someone who an the NYC marathon with swine flu - and he did very well!
The thousands who he most likely infected - perhaps not so much.
I say we make a giant book bonfire in Central Park and toss all the sick in.
And by "an", I meant "ran".
Fuck you, Macbook keyboard.
Flu's too good for him. Flesh eating baceria, now that's the ticket.