A little comparison, if I may:
Chicago Teachers:
$76,000 year average salary plus benefits.
16 percent payraise offered (and rejected) in latest contract
Union representation to negotiate/demand better working conditions, pay, benefits, etc.
180 instructional days per year (average 6 hours per day)
Paid vacations and holidays, including summers, Christmas, etc.
Generous retirement packages guaranteed by contract.
Military member:
$30,000 year salary, assuming you're at least an E-5 over 4 years. If you want that $76K, you better be in the senior O-4/O-5 range.
1.7 percent payraise for 2013. Take it or leave it.
Don't like your working conditions? Clean the sand outta your vagina, ruck up, move out, you ****ing *****!
No union representation--AYFKM?
Working conditions: -40 to +140, everything in between.
30 days of leave per year (and how many people outside training commands actually get to USE that leave?) Other than that, 100-hour weeks ain't uncommon. And yes, they CAN take away your birthday.
Retirement plans subject to change at the whim of the administration in power (Tricare premiums, anyone?)
Dear Chicago Teachers,
Quit ****ing whining and get the **** back to work, not that we'd notice considering the shitty product you've been turning out for decades now.