Word has it that our town employees are threatening the Selectmen with forming a union. The reasoning behind this is that several employees, despite receiving substantial wages, a yearly cost of living raise, performance bonuses, a full benefits package that costs them next to nothing, overtime, uniform and shoe allowance and other perks, they feel that they are not being treated fairly.
Sherman Tedford confirmed that the Water, Sewer, Highway and Police Departments are now actively examining union options and that the whole process could take up to a year to take effect due to the contract negotiations. All hourly employees will be involved with voting for or against the union. The governing body has no say in this creation and can not discourage it from happening; but if created, it will definitely have an effect on our Town Budget.
Talk about greed and looking out for themselves while the rest of us scramble just to stay afloat.
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I think its great, when they start contract talks every thing is on the table.All the perks that they have enjoyed over the years may be gone. Time clocks and outsourcing to private contractors well save Winchester a ton of money. If we go to working supervisors instead of dept. heads we save again. Bring it on guys i can't wait. I should buy a truck with a plow and a sander, looks like there is going to be plenty of work shortly. I don't think some of our employees are going to like living in the real world.
Imagine getting pissed at the same people that have been turning their backs to getting to work late, extending lunch and brakes. Union or no Union, not a good idea to bite the hand that feeds ya. Usually don't mess with your protection.
Perhaps they should thank their lucky stars that the have good paying jobs with benefits and all for very little accountability. That surely will change if a union is formed. Once again the inmates are looking to run the asylum.
Let's assume that the selectmen are on the ball enough to begin soliciting contract bids for services to provide for a large portion of our road maintenance. Let the wrecking ball, fall where it will.
With the amount of people out of work, if it came to a work stoppage, i would not want to be on a picket live, might get run over. To win in negotiations with a municipality you need the support of the public, should be interesting.The voters turned down money for a police cruiser, they know water and sewer can be run by one person, and you hear every day about hwy abuse. Not a good time to stir the pot.
This is good, union or no union, it well bring to light what is expected 0f our employees.
Several things come to mind here. Firstly, a Union could make some of our employees accountable for their time spent while earning a living off the backs of the Tax payers. However, It could also, allow them to punch a clock at a certain time then sit down with their coffee and mulling over the days events for an hour or so (still off the backs of the tax payers). Nevertheless, what I find so amusing is the attention all this is finaly getting. It's about time. Either way, someone is finaly watching what others have been seeing right along. It's kind of like living one the Soap opera's they have been watching! Pull up a chair .. grab a coffee.. this aught to be good!
Hmm, I wonder if the water department employee that swore at me for not looking at his "yellow lights" on his truck will get reprimanded with a union. As far as I know belligerance is cause for a warning and if not rectified a dismissal. Hmm, best not bite the hand that feeds you.
I hear PSNH is pissed with the Winchester water dept., don't know what happened.Maybe a little of the same.
The UAW is giving back about 19 dollars an hour in benefits, maybe that's what the town employees have in mind.
Perhaps all of us that have had BAD experiences with the water department should send in letters. We experienced his complete lack of experience and competence a few months ago.
Knowing the BOS though, they will probably blow it off with "We will take it under advisement."
I didn't think the water guy came out of the office often enough to get in any trouble.When the selectmen are forced to consolidate the problem may be solved.
If your out doing the yard sale thing, and you see a used grader seat you might want to buy it for your afternoon naps. The word is they are real con fey. Wonder how you wright a nap into a union contract?
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