The Conservative Cave

The Bar => The Lounge => Topic started by: BlueStateSaint on October 04, 2011, 12:57:32 PM

Title: An update on my situation . . .
Post by: BlueStateSaint on October 04, 2011, 12:57:32 PM
I figure that I'd keep members updated with how things are going with me and my potential layoff.  I emailed the president of my union, with a rather "acidic" email.  I didn't expect him to send one back.  I think he was pretty stung by my comments.  He told me that they're readying another proposal for the Governor's reps to review.  He told me that he knew how I felt; having gone through it himself in the past.  Supposedly, the Obama administration has gone after Cuomo, saying that if he goes through with this, it puts NY into play for the 2012 elections, and they do not want that.

So, I looked around.  One local hospital is hiring lab techs for $20 to $25 an hour.  I figure that I could get in there easily.  I'd have to do some overtime to replace the income stream I'm getting now, though.  A parent at my daughter's day care, who's in the NYS Army NG, told me that they'd fill waivers out to get me back in as a 1LT.  That is my "hole card," as he told me that I should go to the chip fab plant that AMD has a few miles from me first (his wife, who is a teacher in a local school system, is considering the same).  Two Catholic hospitals in the area are merging with a third hospital, and a local Catholic health system, to form the area's largest health system.  They've got to need lab people.
Title: Re: An update on my situation . . .
Post by: DumbAss Tanker on October 04, 2011, 01:23:11 PM
They're all good options, but I wouldn't throw in the towel on there being a deal once all the chips are down and the game clock is down to the last few ticks (Or even running into overtime). 
Title: Re: An update on my situation . . .
Post by: Karin on October 04, 2011, 01:54:25 PM
Thanks for keeping us updated, BSS.  Sounds like you have your eyes open and your feet on the ground. 
Title: Re: An update on my situation . . .
Post by: IassaFTots on October 04, 2011, 10:16:36 PM
Please keep us updated.  I was wondering about ya.
Title: Re: An update on my situation . . .
Post by: Odin's Hand on October 04, 2011, 10:18:25 PM
Good luck, big dog, and keep the updates rollin' in as you see fit.
Title: Re: An update on my situation . . .
Post by: BlueStateSaint on October 06, 2011, 09:34:30 AM
They're all good options, but I wouldn't throw in the towel on there being a deal once all the chips are down and the game clock is down to the last few ticks (Or even running into overtime). 

Actually, I think that this is exactly what's going to happen.  When CSEA voted on their contract, they counted their votes.  PEF had an outside auditing agency count theirs.  Didn't ol' Vlad Lenin say something to the effect of, "It's not who votes, but who counts the votes," or something like that?  PEF delivered a contract proposal to the Governor's office Tuesday night.  Supposedly, they're going to all agree on it tomorrow . . . and vote sometime next week or after, electronically.  I wonder who is going to tally the votes . . .  :???:
Title: Re: An update on my situation . . .
Post by: DumbAss Tanker on October 06, 2011, 11:23:22 AM
I've seen it attributed to Stalin as well, but I've never looked it up...and I'm sure the pun doesn't work the same way in Russian, but it is usually said as "It's not who votes that counts, it's who counts the votes."
Title: Re: An update on my situation . . .
Post by: Gina on October 06, 2011, 11:32:25 AM
I included you in my prayers last night to find a job.  I have no doubt you will land on your feet and in a much better position than before.  It's because you are what you are. :-*
Title: Re: An update on my situation . . .
Post by: BlueStateSaint on October 14, 2011, 04:54:35 PM
I forgot to do this, Gina, when you responded, so . . .  :-*

Dandy Andy has said that he'll "stay" the layoffs if the Executive Board of the union (130 members on the board) comes up with an agreement that they will present to the membership, on Monday.  I have zero idea what's going to happen with that.  In the meantime, today I applied to one of the larger hospitals around here, to do medical lab tech stuff.  I also applied to the Global Foundries/AMD chip fab plant going in about 10-15 miles north of me.  That one . . . well, I emailed them my resume and filled out the online application . . . and answered a whole bunch of questions about job duties and such.  At the conclusion of that section, the message came up to this effect:  "You have passed the pre-screening, and have been selected to come in for an interview.  Please select the time that you can schedule an interview from these options."  I found the earliest one and selected it.  October 25th at 8:30 AM.  There was a statement that said, "It is possible that you could have to spend 6 months training in either Dresden, Germany, or Singapore."  Interesting.  

As things progress, I'll continue to post updates.
Title: Re: An update on my situation . . .
Post by: longview on October 14, 2011, 06:46:08 PM
Prayer and best wishes on the career move.  Sounds like you are pretty solid on your abilities and options.
Title: Re: An update on my situation . . .
Post by: Eupher on October 14, 2011, 06:57:45 PM
I forgot to do this, Gina, when you responded, so . . .  :-*

Dandy Andy has said that he'll "stay" the layoffs if the Executive Board of the union (130 members on the board) comes up with an agreement that they will present to the membership, on Monday.  I have zero idea what's going to happen with that.  In the meantime, today I applied to one of the larger hospitals around here, to do medical lab tech stuff.  I also applied to the Global Foundries/AMD chip fab plant going in about 10-15 miles north of me.  That one . . . well, I emailed them my resume and filled out the online application . . . and answered a whole bunch of questions about job duties and such.  At the conclusion of that section, the message came up to this effect:  "You have passed the pre-screening, and have been selected to come in for an interview.  Please select the time that you can schedule an interview from these options."  I found the earliest one and selected it.  October 25th at 8:30 AM.  There was a statement that said, "It is possible that you could have to spend 6 months training in either Dresden, Germany, or Singapore."  Interesting.  

As things progress, I'll continue to post updates.

Six months of training in Dresden....wow. I'd give my next birthday for a gig like that. Singapore? Not so much.

Best of luck in this, BSS. You'll land on your feet on this one, of that I have no doubt.  :II:
Title: Re: An update on my situation . . .
Post by: NHSparky on October 15, 2011, 06:46:27 PM
Six months of training in Dresden....wow. I'd give my next birthday for a gig like that. Singapore? Not so much.

Best of luck in this, BSS. You'll land on your feet on this one, of that I have no doubt.  :II:

I've been to Singapore.  If I get per diem for the cost of living there, I think I could manage...<G>
Title: Re: An update on my situation . . .
Post by: Eupher on October 15, 2011, 06:52:11 PM
I've been to Singapore.  If I get per diem for the cost of living there, I think I could manage...<G>

Well, somebody's got to eat the fishheads and rice. I'll pass, thanks.  :p
Title: Re: An update on my situation . . .
Post by: BlueStateSaint on October 16, 2011, 05:22:55 PM
Fish heads?  Can I get a filet mignon instead? :o

Well, the local Fox affiliate, in the halftime compressed news segment, announced that a tentative deal has been struck and will be presented to the Executive Board tomorrow--and it'll probably be offered to the membership.  This time, it'll likely pass.  That won't stop me from going on that interview on the 25th.
Title: Re: An update on my situation . . .
Post by: NHSparky on October 16, 2011, 06:33:14 PM
Well, somebody's got to eat the fishheads and rice. I'll pass, thanks.  :p

If by "fishheads" you mean fresh prawns as big as your hand, okay. 

But to be fair, Singapore does have some of the best restaurants in the world (including steak places) but the local stuff is also to die for.
Title: Re: An update on my situation . . .
Post by: chitownchica on October 16, 2011, 08:34:09 PM
Good luck BSS.  You are  in my prayers.
Title: Re: An update on my situation . . .
Post by: Eupher on October 16, 2011, 09:29:02 PM
If by "fishheads" you mean fresh prawns as big as your hand, okay. 

But to be fair, Singapore does have some of the best restaurants in the world (including steak places) but the local stuff is also to die for.

I don't do prawns, regardless what size they are, but I'll take your word for the best steak joints. And I'll still pass.

I just don't have any sort of desire to head to the Orient -- for any reason, especially for the food. I can get steak right here.

Sorry for the hijack, BSS. Back to you......
Title: Re: An update on my situation . . .
Post by: Karin on October 17, 2011, 02:27:12 PM
Interesting stuff about the interview BSS!  Best wishes for all of it!  I did hear on the local news that something was in the works, and thought of you. 
Title: Re: An update on my situation . . .
Post by: BlueStateSaint on October 31, 2011, 05:32:41 AM
Two weeks later . . . The "interview" was actually an assessment test, similar to what I've taken before for various things.  I was in the first of eight (I think there's eight!) groups to be assessed.  The last four are this week--two on Tuesday, and the last two on Thursday.  One of my co-workers (who, incidentally, voted 'no' on the contract then got her pink slip unexpectedly) told me that she's going to email the PTB there for some info on the thing.  Meanwhile, the contract vote is announced on Thursday.  If it fails, my last day is Friday. 

What ths 'no' voters (this time) don't know is this:  The Governor's office is going to issue 5,000 more layoff notices after the New Year, if the vote fails Thursday.  Oh well!
Title: Re: An update on my situation . . .
Post by: BlueStateSaint on November 03, 2011, 02:23:10 PM
And now for the vote . . . The last vote went 19629 against, 16906 for.  Margin of "no" votes over "yes" votes--2723.  This time, it was radically different.  27718 for, 11645 against.  Margin of "yes" votes over "no" votes--16073.  I guess that working that phone bank two weeks ago really did something. :cheersmate:

I am keeping my options open, however.  If that chip fab plant decides that they want me to work wastewater treatment for them, I'm outta here.
Title: Re: An update on my situation . . .
Post by: Eupher on November 03, 2011, 03:03:46 PM
And now for the vote . . . The last vote went 19629 against, 16906 for.  Margin of "no" votes over "yes" votes--2723.  This time, it was radically different.  27718 for, 11645 against.  Margin of "yes" votes over "no" votes--16073.  I guess that working that phone bank two weeks ago really did something. :cheersmate:

I am keeping my options open, however.  If that chip fab plant decides that they want me to work wastewater treatment for them, I'm outta here.

Gives you some breathing room, and that's all good. Congratulations.  :cheersmate:

It's always good to keep options open.
Title: Re: An update on my situation . . .
Post by: Karin on November 03, 2011, 03:22:16 PM
Definitely.  There's nothing quite like breathing room.  Glad to hear it! 
Title: Re: An update on my situation . . .
Post by: franksolich on November 03, 2011, 03:25:56 PM
<<breathing a sigh of relief for a good friend.
Title: Re: An update on my situation . . .
Post by: Gina on November 04, 2011, 06:33:14 AM
 :yahoo:  YAYYYYYYY
Title: Re: An update on my situation . . .
Post by: wasp69 on November 08, 2011, 08:59:30 AM
And now for the vote . . . The last vote went 19629 against, 16906 for.  Margin of "no" votes over "yes" votes--2723.  This time, it was radically different.  27718 for, 11645 against.  Margin of "yes" votes over "no" votes--16073.  I guess that working that phone bank two weeks ago really did something. :cheersmate:

I am keeping my options open, however.  If that chip fab plant decides that they want me to work wastewater treatment for them, I'm outta here.

What is the difference between the contracts on the first vote and the last vote?
Title: Re: An update on my situation . . .
Post by: debk on November 08, 2011, 09:11:06 AM
Just now saw this thread.... :thatsright:

What's your status now, BSS?

Been wondering how things were going for you and saying prayers for a good outcome.
Title: Re: An update on my situation . . .
Post by: Janice on November 08, 2011, 10:14:47 AM
Also just saw this. Prayers up for ya BSS.
Title: Re: An update on my situation . . .
Post by: BlueStateSaint on November 08, 2011, 01:19:12 PM
Just now saw this thread.... :thatsright:

What's your status now, BSS?

Been wondering how things were going for you and saying prayers for a good outcome.

I'm still here.  The contract passed with a few minor tweaks, but the difference with the votes can be attributed to the idea that a lot of the "no" votes the first time thought that Cuomo would roll over like George Pataki.  That didn't happen.  Almost everyone knew, if they weren't one, someone who was being laid off because of the vote.  Also, the union put on a full-court press this time to get the thing passed, unlike the last vote.  'Course, now I have to start looking for a house for us . . .  :tongue:
Title: Re: An update on my situation . . .
Post by: DumbAss Tanker on November 08, 2011, 04:15:25 PM
Glad to hear it, buddy.  Sometimes even unions realize you can't get blood out of a turnip and opt for realism.