Community Chat

[brewhaha]

Thjere is nothing wrong with it IMO.

[151949]

On 11/21/2014 VCamp2748 said:

Can't they just call it their lunch/dinner break & leave it at that?

Many thanks to all the folks out there who work in those professions to help keep us safe & rescue us from accidents, fires, etc!

Because they allow them to stretch the 1/2 hour to an hour =- but they give up their coffee breaks for that.

[croemer]

On 11/21/2014 brewhaha said:

Thjere is nothing wrong with it IMO.

[dex]

I want to thank everyone that comes to our rescue when we need them .I especially want to give a little extra thanks to police officers for putting their life on the line daily.These men and women never know what they will be up against next.

[sidsmom]

"...some time with family". By the time you factor travel time, etc., how much 'family time' would there be? I would be afraid travel, weather, accidents wouldn't allow me to return to work @ the scheduled time resulting in a work violation. One hour on one day just isn't worth risking my job.

[151949]

On 11/21/2014 pickleslarue said:

I'd support the hour at home. But I'm really, REALLY, curious who is complaining and if it's that sort of contrived thing nobody thinks about until someone tells them they should have a problem with it.

Can you provide a source I can see? A quick search didn't find anything.

I got a petition on my e mail to sign saying I am in favor of maintaining this practice - but since I don't live in Pitts. anymore I could not sign it - I did however, pass it on to others who do. So i don't know who is fighting it - if I were to take a guess I would say one of the goofballs on city council.

[muttmom]

Unless it is routine to come home to eat whenever these city employees work, if you are scheduled to work then you don't come home mid shift to quickly gobble down dinner.

You can always have your holiday dinner and celebration another day.

[KYToby]

I do not know the details of this situation -- nor does anyone else here. My comments are based solely on call center operations (including scheduling) which were subject to labor laws in 40 different states (where our various agents lived).

First, "stretching" breaks by combining them and adjusting them to coincide with lunch is likely a violation of state labor law or employment contract -- or both. Second, I am sure that employees are expected to be stationed at certain locations when not on active calls. This allows proper coverage and speedy responses -- particularly on holidays when there are generally fewer people working fewer schedules. Even with radio contact, this may slow down calls, and when life and death are at stake, every second counts, and their duties outweigh a family meal.

[Irshgrl31201]

On 11/21/2014 terrier3 said:

People are quick to put down public servants - THEN they need them and they can't get there soon enough!

It's happening here in Buffalo.

The people yelling for "leaner" government - downsized departments - no raises and cuts in pensions - NOW are yelling for MORE plowdrivers, EMTs, police, etc.

If they are calling for a leaner govt they should start with the plastic surgery rider for cops, firefighters and teachers. My friend that just visited from Buffalo was the niece of Don Herbert who was the firefighter who was in a coma for 10 yrs after the roof collapsed on him. She was telling me about her aunt getting free plastic surgery (6 procedures done) and told me how it is billed to the city. I was later astonished to find out that is true. My best friends ex husband was a Buffalo cop and her daughter just flew up to BFLO to get a free boob job. Buffalo was billed 6 million dollars for the plastic surgery for teachers alone in 2012. That is insane.

[FUTURE]

What's the difference between them going out to eat at a restaurant & going home to see their family for an hour. I've worked Holidays and don't really like it, it's just part of the job. But as long as calls aren't being answered or responded to, no big deal.