I have totally enjoyed the last six weeks. Spending quality time with my union brothers and sisters, reconnecting with my family, life is absolutely stress free for once. I find myself forgetting what day it is, and don't really care. Watching these fine ewa folks struggle with ladders, vans and trucks, even hard hats is hilarious. I hear that I should be stressed out, drinking my fears away but it just isn't happening. I am feeling like a kid on Christmas eve anticipating the next rif, while also hoping the few decent 1st levels don't get boned. Am I alone in this bliss?
23 replies (most recent on top)
In all honesty, I was freaked out and nervous for the first few weeks of the strike. Now, I have less anxiety than I ever did. I make my own hours on the pocket line. I don't need to ask permission for a vacation day from some bully second liner. I don't get angry at the company giving me a 4 hour QAR over a 5 minute stop on the GPS. The inefficiency of the company seems like ancient history.
And the strike had an added benefit... the union members are all closer than ever. I have met their children, learned about their hobbies, we have gelled into a more cohesive unit, more than ever. And WHEN we go back, VZ is going to have a hell of a time bullying us around.
"It hit me that I'm content, never had time to realize that."
^^^^^^ This.
I seriously hope that the strike lasts through the summer so I get to enjoy my kids the way I haven't been able to over the past couple of years.
Re-did the front porch, power washed the deck and the house, waxed my classic car, took my kid to football camp, opened the pool, switched to AT+T, picked up side work, life has not been to bad! Cooked steak and shrimp yesterday then sat on front porch, smoked a good cigar, had a few beers, and did some bird watching. It hit me that I'm content, never had time to realize that.
I'm glad to hear it but I look forward to going back to my bau job and back to normal hours. The overtime is fine but I would rather have free time. Frankly I have no idea how you tolerate these a--hole call center managers. I just don't know how you stay happy working for these small minded dipshits. It's like managerial ameuter hour. I can't imagine how tough it would be if they were actually able to fire me.
Who said we weren't taking our kids to the doctors if they got sick. Took mine to the emergency room. They asked me for my id. Sorry don't have one, I lost it. OK your name, Jose Gonzales. Your address 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
I am amazed at some responses. The union worker asked a simple question. Many of our union members have been working hours on end for the last two years. Wanna a Saturday off to enjoy time with your family. Nope, forced over time. Most of us have been saving our OT, cutting back, socking money away in preparation for this strike. Would we have preferred to worked these past 6 weeks, most would probably say yes. But are we worried and stressed No. The many pictures and post on social media just gave us the encouragement that our jobs were not getting done. We are enjoying our time with our families. We saved for it.
" This has been an incredible break from being forced 70 hours a week for months on end. I was so anti-union when I was hired, but since I have worked for Verizon for 16 years, I am so thankful we have a union to protect us."
So, your job is incredibly stressful from forced 70 hour weeks, months on end....and yet you're thankful for your union's "protection"? DERP
Yep, I don't mind showing my kids I'm a deadbeat by walking off my job. I'm also giving my kid's college education to my EWA friends so they can buy a boat and new deer lease in Texas. Its stress free to know if my family gets sick, I don't have to take them to the doctor since I don't have insurance. Sure, I can spend all day drinking, watching COPS, and wacking off. Stress free baby!!
For some is a vacation from the stresses of dealing with incompetent managers and frustrated customers. The downside is the bills don't stop coming cause there's a work stoppage. My brothers and sisters be ready for the forced overtime, half hour lunches and stressed out team leads who will be looking to catch us at that precise moment when you let your guards down.
Wow
My only regret...I wish it didn't rain so much. My bike riding time has been drastically reduced. Oh well, the rain served and is still serving it's purpose. My garden has never looked better and my home phone has static on it.
Funny thing is - an a EWA, I can say the same exact line - "life is absolutely stress free for once." My EWA job is infinitely more simple than my BAU job - and I'm getting paid more to do something easier.
Instead of waking up at 530 am
Now 930am.
Happy to see that you are enjoying no pay vacation here. Just hope this will not become a permanent vacation for you.
I was prepared for a strike so it has been stress free so far, at least money-wise. The lack of health insurance isn't a nice thing, but so far, so good. I am getting a lot of projects done around the house, and am bonding with my picket crew.
It's great! I've made every one of my kids sports games whereas I'd be scheduled every other Saturday
You are not alone. My wife is dreading when we go go back, because she knows she will only see me before we go to sleep at night. This has been an incredible break from being forced 70 hours a week for months on end. I was so anti-union when I was hired, but since I have worked for Verizon for 16 years, I am so thankful we have a union to protect us.
Yea, I did forget that I don't have insurance...what a buzz kill
I hope you fall and break your leg and get cancer OP
"Am I alone in this bliss?"
Absolutely not. The best spring I've had in a decade, at least.
I'm thankful for the plethora of vacation days that I have left over because I will have to burn quite a few of them once we go back to work in the fall...
@ Op agreed. It was like living a European lifestyle, with their summer's off/6+ week vacations, etc.
No healh insurance is most stressful
Your not alone in being completely full of $hit...