I truly want to be very serious with the things I am about to say. I feel that there is an entire class of underappreciated workers in Fairfax and abroad. These people are the ones that work as non-merit employees. If you do not know what that means then let me break it down. You work 40 hours a week, you have no benefits, like sick leave, health insurance, and other types of things that every human being needs. Then you are forced to take a four week break without pay. I don’t know about you, but I have a family I have to take care of and I can’t afford to take a forced four week leave.
I know that there are thousands maybe tens of thousands of people that work for organizations or businesses that treat you in this non-merit way.
Me personally, I hate living my life pay check to pay check. Don’t get me wrong, I am a college educated man, but when you see that there is injustice going on in the work place, we must organize.
I don’t mean to offend anyone. And I hope people that have real concerns comment on this page. You never know, this can turn into a real movement of people that want better job security, health care, and the simple fact that we are equal in the work place. But as of now, there is a class of people that are truly suffering.
O, I just found out that our family is going to lose our health insurance. We have a baby, that needs that health insurance, and we just don’t make enough money.
I hope you can spread the word about this issue. I hope we can make a change for our underclass workers.

1) Who is forcing you to work for an employer with no benefits? If you have a college degree then go work for someone else.

2) Work as a temp employee somewhere else during your "forced" 4-week break. Problem solved.

You make a good point. and thank you for the advice. But i truly love the job i am at. it is just a system that makes people like me, suffer, becuase we dont have the denefits. i feel that there is a bigger problem then just my little story. i feel that we need to help all non-merit works. Really look into. And all respect to you.

Thank you

Again, i apologize for the typos. not that good of a typer

I bet you're a union organizer, or at the very least a sympathizer

I understand you love your job, but if I were you I'd just sell out and work somewhere that pays better and offers benefits, even if it's something you don't enjoy as much. Money won't buy you happiness, but it will certainly buy you comfort and peace-of-mind. Especially if you have a little baby.

You can try getting a higher education or.....
Attachments:

Wow wrote:

"I have a college degree"

In what? Art History? Humanities? Cultural Studies?

Try getting a real degree i.e. business, engineering, science, and then you can complain.

Or, you can work at Starbucks...they have awesome benefits for entry level workers.

Thank you to all that have been serious about this issue. And for those that have not, its cool. To the comment about the union thing. Well, I am definitely not working for any union. I do not necessarily sympathize with union workers, but I do believe that it is an American value, rather right, so all people to have respectable job security, better health insurance, and all of the above. I have no political connections in that realm.
And for the person that told me that told me to sell out. Its not in my nature. I don’t believe that is the nature of true American values. I feel that when there is something that needs to be fixed, or rather justice needs to prevail, we need to organize. I have to much respect for my family, myself, and my community. Thank you though; I love the honesty you present.
Again, I don’t mean to offend anyone. I just want to hear from people that are truly affected by this situation. I know that the economy is bad, but we should not let the Almighty Dollar, come before the Almighty’s children.

I am currently wokring on my business degree. but its all good. I am trying to look at this issue, in the bigger piture. Try not to concentrate to much on me, but on the thousands of other people like me.

And again, I hope sound minded people respond. I dont mean to offend.

Junes Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I bet you're a union organizer, or at the very
> least a sympathizer

Tell me again how the decline of unionization is improving things for the American worker.

By 2007, wages were at a 50-year low in terms of GDP and profits were at 50-year highs.

You make a good point. can you elaborate on it a little more.

Why don't you spend more time looking for a better job or improving your credentials rather than posting pseudo-intellectual garbage on a forum.

wow Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I do believe that it is an American value, rather
> right, so all people to have respectable job
> security, better health insurance, and all of the
> above. I have no political connections in that
> realm.

Where is that written? There is no such thing as job security. If health insurance was a "right" it would not be called a benefit.

As others have recommended, search for a job that comes closest to fulfilling your emotional, intellectual and moral needs, with some semblence of security and a benefits plan for you and your family.

Life is all about choices - you chose a job that fulfulls YOU but does not protect your family. After the wee one comes, you may find that your love for your child is greater than your love for your job

Whatever you decide, I hope it all works out for you



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/26/2009 04:42PM by Junes.

Even the shit temp agency I worked for years ago had a 401k and health insurance and I got paid all of 10.50 an hour.

If your wife is pregnant get COBRA. It's expensive but if you have a lot of medical expenses coming up it's worth it.

Also if you have a degree have you tried applying to the federal government? There's an assload of meaningless jobs, and most have their own gov unions and all have benefits of course.

;



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/01/2010 05:18AM by inkahootz.

Inkahootz, please keep all non-productive posts in the off topic forum. We cannot have long term trolls in the Fairfax forum.

;



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 06/01/2010 05:20AM by inkahootz.

inkahootz Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Dear 'ValuTime' ( I mean ChickenWalk),
>
> When did you become the FU Gestapo leader? Not
> only are you a n00b, but you are the one who is an
> uber troll of epic proportions!
>
>
>
> ChickenWalk Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Inkahootz, please keep all non-productive posts
> in
> > the off topic forum.
>
> Just how are your posts productive?
>
> We cannot have long term
> > trolls in the Fairfax forum.
>
>
> Then, please, leave now! Thank you.


+1

wow Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I do believe that it is an American value, rather
> right, so all people to have respectable job
> security, better health insurance, and all of the
> above. I have no political connections in that
> realm.

None of those are American values. Those are things people want because it brings us one step closer to being a socialist country. Newsflash, socialism doesn't really work. In Denmark and Sweden, both of which are socialist, you can very easily game the system and not work. This puts more burden on everyone else in the country to support you, and this *does* happen.

If you can noodle through a way to make socialism work and instill a sense of pride and a desire to do hard work into the global population, I'll be right next to you pushing for a socialist world government. Then, and only then, will socialism actually work, when everyone does their part for the betterment of mankind.

Until that day, get a job that gives you benefits and pays more money or move to a socialist country.




> And for the person that told me that told me to
> sell out. Its not in my nature. I don’t believe
> that is the nature of true American values. I feel
> that when there is something that needs to be
> fixed, or rather justice needs to prevail, we need
> to organize. I have to much respect for my
> family, myself, and my community. Thank you
> though; I love the honesty you present.
> Again, I don’t mean to offend anyone. I just want
> to hear from people that are truly affected by
> this situation. I know that the economy is bad,
> but we should not let the Almighty Dollar, come
> before the Almighty’s children.

I really appreciate all of the positive and thought provoking comments. Thank you to the individuals that have commented on the values and rights of America. I truly feel though, that each person in American deserves to have good wages, health care and any other, right, which is, and should be a core value. I do truly feel that these things are rights. They sometime get labeled as benefits, but if you look at the bigger picture, they should be rights. That’s how I feel. That’s what I see. And to the issue with the socialist comment, I really don’t have anything to say about that. But I do believe, that the time is now, for people to wake up and see that this world needs to change for the betterment of our children. For all you youngsters that read this and all you adults, I hope you can see these words with your heart and not just your eyes. This issues our real. And when something is wrong in American, we don’t run away from it, we stay and fix it. I hope that I can drum up enough support from non-merit and merit employees to really stand up for those truly human rights. I pay my taxes, and I truly don’t see the human benefit, or rather rights, in my life. I believe that when there is a small injustice anywhere in the work place, then we as Americans need to stand up and help our fellow men and women. Thank you again, to those that have given me the advice. But I really don’t want to leave my job. I love it, like I said. But now, after thinking about it, and see my other workers that our non-merit, I feel that I have to help them. Because a battle won in our work place is a battle won in yours.

Again, I don’t mean to offend. And I hope that people that have true and meaningful comments can share. This is a underground forum right. So let’s use it to organize. Let’s use it to help and not harass or joke around. All respect to those that post. Good or bad. Serious or jokingly. Helpful or not helpful.
Peace

Freedom is pretty thin gruel if it is only the freedom to starve.

"How are you going to be free if you have no money? You're not free -- you're just a drunk in the street. How are you going to be free if you're sick? You're sick like a jerk. How are you going to be free if you're dumb? You're too dumb to participate in freedom. Freedom means education. Freedom means health care. Freedom means a sound economy." - Mike Gravel



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/27/2009 09:49AM by formerhick76.

EXPENSIVE JEANS HAS RETURNED
*wow* *boredom* *ChickenWalk*

wow Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Thank you to all that have been serious about this
> issue. And for those that have not, its cool. To
> the comment about the union thing. Well, I am
> definitely not working for any union. I do not
> necessarily sympathize with union workers, but I
> do believe that it is an American value, rather
> right, so all people to have respectable job
> security, better health insurance, and all of the
> above. I have no political connections in that
> realm.
> And for the person that told me that told me to
> sell out. Its not in my nature. I don’t believe
> that is the nature of true American values. I feel
> that when there is something that needs to be
> fixed, or rather justice needs to prevail, we need
> to organize. I have to much respect for my
> family, myself, and my community. Thank you
> though; I love the honesty you present.
> Again, I don’t mean to offend anyone. I just want
> to hear from people that are truly affected by
> this situation. I know that the economy is bad,
> but we should not let the Almighty Dollar, come
> before the Almighty’s children.


A little advice - too much info on your personal situation and we have some very unsympathetic idiots on this forum. If you want to get the word out about this issue start naming companies or governments who practice this unethical type of employment. I believe you should go find a job with benefits even if the job is in a mail room and finish your degree and move on.

The dirty little secret that governments and companies aren't telling anyone is that exempt employee's don't count against the fiscal budgets in almost all cases. When you report the FTE count within a government - the full time equivalents or employee is counted against the department budget because they are quantifiable. Monies for exempt employee's usually always comes from project funds or some other source that's loosly tracked or not at all. I could provide examples but it would simply take to long.

If you throw the government or company under the bus on this forum - folks will start asking how much money is being spent on exempt employee's. And there is a place for exempt employee's but the bottom line is that unethical managers will use this employment vehicle to build empires and justify new positions that you won't get anyway.

I do hesitate to throw this one out but this is why employee's of governments and companies should organize into a Unions to protect their interest when possible. Police, Fire and Teachers all have Unions that help protect their interest in Fairfax County. Who speaks for you? Though VA is a right to work state it doesn't mean Unions cannot be created as PACs to help stop this sort of injustice.

You see, it's all about politics and payoffs. So please name all the entities that practice this type injustice so during these hard economic times we can scrutinize all of them.

I appreciate your comment. Thank you for the advice. The government agencies that we are seeing a large number of ‘common people’ , the non-merit workers, are mainly employed by the Department of Human Services, Community and Recreations, Fairfax County Government, and others. Don’t get me wrong. I love my job and my bosses. I have nothing against them or the work that they do. I am against the fact that they have a system of employment that gets people nothing and nowhere. They create positions knowing that regular working class individuals, with kids, bills and poor health, are going to take the jobs. We need to make these positions viable, so they work with, but more importantly, for the people. I don’t think that they are working for me; I am basically working for them. I feel that it should be a two way street. I work and bust my butt every day for 8 hours, and when I get sick and have to go to the doctor, I lose a day of work, which cost me about $118.00. Then I have to go to a doctor, where I have to pay over $300 for the visit and medicine. All of long, I have no support from my job. You tell me, is that justice. Is that freedom? I am enslaved to this paycheck because I need it. I hope people can wake up, and see, that this system needs to be done away with. We need better everything. Again, we should not let the Almighty Dollar, come before the Almighty’s Children.
Peace

wow Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I am against the fact that they
> have a system of employment that gets people
> nothing and nowhere.
> We need to make these positions
> viable, so they work with, but more importantly,
> for the people.
> You tell me, is that
> justice. Is that freedom? I am enslaved to this
> paycheck because I need it.

Bullshit. You can work for whoever you want... if you believe your talents are worth more, then go work for someone who will pay you for them. If you don't believe your skills are worth more, then you are being compensated fairly. You aren't "enslaved" to anything.

Better yet, open your own business and hire lots of people and pay for their health insurance, pay them twice what their skills are worth, and rest assured that you have improved the world!

Thank you for your comment. I am not looking at this on a micro level. I know I can find a better job. But what about those people that is enslaved to those positions. The work has to get done no matter what. So those types of positions have to be filled. So, if they get filled with people that don’t have a voice, then they are going to get screwed like we are getting screwed. So, I really don’t think its bs. No disrespect to you. I think if you look at the issue that I am presenting from a macro level, instead of a micro level, then you will understand this issue is bigger than me. I love my fellow workers, and deep down inside some of your hearts, you have been disrespected by an employer or company. This is your time to speak up and speak out. I want to hear more from other disenfranchised workers.
And I don’t want to sound like a broken record, but I truly don’t mean to offend any ones belief about anything. And thank you to those that are truly serious about this issue.
peace

wow Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> I feel that it should be a two way street. I work
> and bust my butt every day for 8 hours, and when I
> get sick and have to go to the doctor, I lose a
> day of work, which cost me about $118.00. Then I
> have to go to a doctor, where I have to pay over
> $300 for the visit and medicine. All of long, I
> have no support from my job. You tell me, is that
> justice. Is that freedom? I am enslaved to this
> paycheck because I need it. I hope people can
> wake up, and see, that this system needs to be
> done away with. We need better everything.
> Again, we should not let the Almighty Dollar, come
> before the Almighty’s Children.
> Peace

You are enslaved by your narrow vision. The Freedom you speak of is the freedom to chose to work where you want rather than be assigned to a work assignment and spend the rest of your days there.

You made the choice to work in conditions that are not conducive to a family. Instead of complaining about it, change it. If you can't change it in your workplace, then move on to a workplace that meets your needs.

I am not, and never have been a "disenfranchised" worker, nor have I ever compromised values.

The "issue" you are presenting - at all levels - is that Capitalism doesn't work well for you, so you want everyone to embrace Socialism.

I don't believe anyone is offended by your beliefs, they are simply giving you alternatives - but you don't care for them. It really doesn't matter how many times you ask the same questions, the answers will probably remain the same.

Canada has a semi-socialized government, offering many of the "rights" to which you feel you are entitled, funded by your taxes. This might be an option that you should research because I honestly do not believe you're going to find your utopia where you are.

I don't understand the term "non-merit" when applied in this context. Pay is merit and while benefits like health care, vacation and sick leave are nice, there are always hidden costs involved.

If a job offers health care for instance, there is money out of the employers pocket that covers this and there is no way around it. So while you may feel that you are getting a "benefit" you are actually getting less pay because your boss is 1) having to take the time and man hours to find you that healthcare 2) spending money for it. Now the advantage is your boss may be able to get a discount for buying the health care/insurance for a large group of employees and may get a better rate than you could find independently. But there are still administrative costs involved.

Ideally a boss pays enough so one can shop and find the best health insurance they can on their own. But a lot of people are too lazy to do that, in fact a lot of people are too lazy to understand the scope of the policies they do have and get bullied by their provider into not getting the care they are paying for- denied valid claims etc..

I personally would prefer a system where employees are given the option to take 1) more pay or 2) more benefits.

I'm self-employed and I scratch out a check every month for some health insurance I never use. I try to be proactive as much as I can to avoid preventable problems- obesity, heart disease etc.

If you believe health insurance is a right, where do your "rights" stop? Do I have a right to a new toothbrush every month, the right to a comfortable mattress, the right to cable TV? IMO the more you ask from others the less you will do for others yourself.

Junes, you bring up a lot of good points. I feel that I am not enslaved to a narrow vision, but to a system (looking at it in a larger view, on the macro level) that has thousands of workers without these Rights. I do believe they are rights, because they deal with the basic human need to be healthy and productive. In the beginning, it was a choice that I made. To work in a job that pays okay. Then I realized that this system (non-merit positions) that has kept me from, not progressing as a human, but from benefits/rights such as health care and job security. In some cases, many people are forced to take these types of jobs because that is what is available. They are lured by the high pay, but lose sight of the other things that should be a part of their lives too. They take half of a really good thing, and give it to us. The half looks really good, but it will never be as good as the whole. I feel, due to economic reasons, they are keeping people from ever reaching the whole. As of right know, I am not only talking about me, but for the others that have to suffer from this type of system. I am not searching for a utopia or socialist solution; I just want my fellow workers to have the same employment rights as everybody else. I love the honesty, and respect the words that you write. Try to put yourself in our shoes. I care for the whole of my people, not just myself. Sometimes we need to be less individualistic and more humanistic.
Thank you.
Peace

> In some cases, many people are forced to take these types of jobs
> because that is what is available. They are lured by the high pay,
> but lose sight of the other things that should be a part of their
> lives too. They take half of a really good thing, and give it to
> us. The half looks really good, but it will never be as good as
> the whole.

I agree we should put people in front of a panel, and if we vote what is best for them, force them to take a lower-paying job that has health benefits rather than let them make the choice to take a higher-paying job. We can then force them to make better choices so they won't be forced to take the higher-paying job. If we work hard enough, we can bring this country around to a perfect communist society, where people are forced to work where the needs are for low wages but they get healthcare.

What we need here is a leader. I think you should lead this effort to remove these choices that just enslave us. I think we need you to lead the revolution to take us toward a perfect communism.

Okay, I get what you’re saying. But I believe that we should have the high paying jobs, and those benefits/rights. I don’t think we should sacrifice one for the other. We need to bring those two halves together to make a whole, which will benefit the people. I don’t thing we need to be a communist or socialist society, but I believe we need to exercise better American values such as being fair and looking out for the little guy. I know that in some cases, that is not true, but for workers that are non-merit, we have to see their plight. A lot of us come from not so good back grounds. I don’t mean to come off like a socialist or communist, if that is what you are alluding to. But I do want to come off as a person that believes in being just. I want to come off as a person that cares, not only about me, but about other people. People will poke fun, but that is okay. I will still have respect for you, because you have a story to. We all have a story. I just want to present mine, and others, that are separated from these rights. I hope this comes across clear. We want to have those high wages, but at the same time have those rights to those benefits. It’s this system, that is keeping thousands maybe millions of workers separated from upper-class care. I don’t know about you, but I think we deserved high wages, and those rights to benefits. Once you separate the two, you become complacent to this system, and care less and less about your fellow men and women, and more about yourself. I hope I don’t come across as a negative person; I have all the respect in the world for all that post here. Again, put your feet in our shoes. And in some cases, look at the shoes you’re in, and ask yourself, if your position is more important than human capital.
Peace

I hope people will read these words and join this movement. We need your help. WE will do this in the name of peace and justice. respect to all people that walk this earth and write on this post.

I am glad you are leading this movement we can debate terms like communism and the rest of it but those are only words, terms to be thrown around. At the core is a society where all of our needs are taken care of and our work is rewarded with high pay and high benefits and if everyone has the same high pay and same high benefits we can finally erase our class structure and be at a point of perfect communism as earlier poster suggested. You have started the effort here, and may we all be equal soon and all taken care of with no worries thank you for leading us

l



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/01/2010 05:19AM by inkahootz.

There was never a ValuTime.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/30/2009 08:00PM by ValuTime.

Junes Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> wow Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
>
> > I feel that it should be a two way street. I
> work
> > and bust my butt every day for 8 hours, and when
> I
> > get sick and have to go to the doctor, I lose a
> > day of work, which cost me about $118.00. Then
> I
> > have to go to a doctor, where I have to pay
> over
> > $300 for the visit and medicine. All of long,
> I
> > have no support from my job. You tell me, is
> that
> > justice. Is that freedom? I am enslaved to
> this
> > paycheck because I need it. I hope people can
> > wake up, and see, that this system needs to be
> > done away with. We need better everything.
> > Again, we should not let the Almighty Dollar,
> come
> > before the Almighty’s Children.
> > Peace
>
> You are enslaved by your narrow vision. The
> Freedom you speak of is the freedom to chose to
> work where you want rather than be assigned to a
> work assignment and spend the rest of your days
> there.
>
> You made the choice to work in conditions that are
> not conducive to a family. Instead of complaining
> about it, change it. If you can't change it in
> your workplace, then move on to a workplace that
> meets your needs.
>
> I am not, and never have been a "disenfranchised"
> worker, nor have I ever compromised values.
>
> The "issue" you are presenting - at all levels -
> is that Capitalism doesn't work well for you, so
> you want everyone to embrace Socialism.
>
> I don't believe anyone is offended by your
> beliefs, they are simply giving you alternatives -
> but you don't care for them. It really doesn't
> matter how many times you ask the same questions,
> the answers will probably remain the same.
>
> Canada has a semi-socialized government, offering
> many of the "rights" to which you feel you are
> entitled, funded by your taxes. This might be an
> option that you should research because I honestly
> do not believe you're going to find your utopia
> where you are.

JUNES - you are so full of shit sometimes! Help this guy out,

wow.....You were a Troll on a roll until you got confused and also posted under the name Non-Merit Worker
Re: Non-Merit Jobs, high wage slavery
Posted by: Non-Merit Worker ()
Date: March 27, 2009 02:29PM

Again I appreciate all the comments. There is an issue it seems with who I am. Well, I am not what they say. This is the first and real time that I have posted on FU. But its all good. I am a man, from this area. But I am not what people think. But I hope that helps.

I want to thank Karl, for you comment. Let’s keep talking and discussing. We need people that work for Fairfax County Government, Community and Recreation, Park Authority, and any other agencies to chime in and let us hear you voices.

I will be organizing something soon, with ideas and things like that. If any one has constructive input, please post. We need all the help we can get.

This is about advocating for our non-merit workers that deserve these rights to benefits and job security.

Thank you for all the positive post, and for the ones that are not so positive. Its okay. We still respect you, but when you want to join this movement to help our people, you will be welcome. Until that day, I have respect for all.

peace

Hello Margie, I did not mean to do that intentionally, but i was trying to correct something i did. But its all good. I hope you can look past that, and learn about what we are trying to do for workers that dont have these rights to benefits and job security

Non-Merit Jobs Wrote
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Re: Non-Merit Jobs, hight wage slavery new
Posted by: Non-Merit Worker ()
Date: March 27, 2009 05:58PM


>Hello Margie, I did not mean to do that intentionally, but i was trying to
>correct something i did. But its all good. I hope you can look past that, and
>learn about what we are trying to do for workers that dont have these rights to
>benefits and job security


**BUSTED** LMAO....... your a "TROLL ON A ROLL"
Attachments:

thank you so much you shall lead us. i am tired of being forced to work i thought that obama was going to pay for my house and car but he is liar! i look forward to result of your efforts so i get free hospital and doctors instedd of all these college people getting these things. i tired of being forced to work for so much money yet little benefits like free health care please help us!!!!!!!!

forced worker Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> thank you so much you shall lead us. i am tired
> of being forced to work i thought that obama was
> going to pay for my house and car but he is liar!
> i look forward to result of your efforts so i get
> free hospital and doctors instedd of all these
> college people getting these things. i tired of
> being forced to work for so much money yet little
> benefits like free health care please help
> us!!!!!!!!

And you add yet another name to the list you are posting under: **wow**United Non-Merit Workersn**forced worker**

LOL...You went over the top on this post...the grammer and spelling are worse then mine!

HINT-HINT Everyone knows I am the queen of poor grammer and I hold the record of being the worst speller on this forum (They still love me tho)......

United Non-Merit Workersn (Still working on the name, tell me what you think) Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Again I appreciate all the comments. There is an
> issue it seems with who I am. Well, I am not what
> they say. This is the first and real time that I
> have posted on FU. But its all good. I am a man,
> from this area. But I am not what people think.
> But I hope that helps.
>
> I want to thank Karl, for you comment. Let’s keep
> talking and discussing. We need people that work
> for Fairfax County Government, Community and
> Recreation, Park Authority, and any other agencies
> to chime in and let us hear you voices.
>
> I will be organizing something soon, with ideas
> and things like that. If any one has constructive
> input, please post. We need all the help we can
> get.
>
> This is about advocating for our non-merit workers
> that deserve these rights to benefits and job
> security.
>
> Thank you for all the positive post, and for the
> ones that are not so positive. Its okay. We still
> respect you, but when you want to join this
> movement to help our people, you will be welcome.
> Until that day, I have respect for all.
>
> peace


FCGEU -- FCGEU -- FCGEU -- FCGEU -- FCGEU -- FCGEU -- FCGEU -- FCGEU

Here say join and you will be represented.

Wow/Non-Merit Worker, have you seen the survey sent out to county employees regarding the new budget? One question asks if non-merit employees would be willing to work 32 hours (one day less) in order to receive benefits. I say HELL YEAH I'd work one less day in order to get benefits. Also for the 4 week break, I take mine during the winter holidays so I can be with my family... granted January sucks because I don't get paid but I think that the time I get is way more precious.

No they need to give us benefits and pay us for five days i didn't understand what they were trying to do with survey. when will we be led from this forced labor and given health care freely

Thank you for the post. I was not aware there was a survey that circulated about this. I find it very interesting that it did not reach me and others that work with me. If that is the case, I would of said yes to it to. I feel that we need benefits because of the work that we do. But, on the other hand, we should not have to take day off just to receive those benefits. Don’t get me wrong, but as I said before, we should have the right, in Fairfax County Government, to wages that are just and benefits that are just. Please invite more people to this post, so we can have dialogue about this pressing issue. If we do not speak out now, while the budget is bad, then we will never get heard.
peace

I agree with you Karl. 100 %. We need both of those halfs (decent wage and benefits) to be a whole worker.

peace

there is hope with you leading us i cannot help but hold hope for our workers. workers of all lands unite!

So, people, I have given this a lot of thought. I am still trying to drum up more support and awareness on FU. I hope that people that read this will be motivated to comment, and organize something to help our Non-Merit workers. If you have any sound and serious ideas on how we can bring this voiceless working class group of people to the mainstrem, please give them

I do not mean to offend, and I do these things with the highest respect for all those that post here.

So, if you are truly passionate about helping out fellow workers, please provide ideas.

peace

you will lead us i think that is the bst idea thet has been posted here thank good ness for you . please keep us informed with all of your suceses in getting us fair wage and benefits please post timeline and plan so i know when to schedule major dr appt

Gentlemen, there must be some misunderstanding regarding asking workers to work 32 hours a week to get benefits. Complete non-sense. I will say no more! Who gives a hoot if the survey should ask such a stupid question. If you want to make a difference join the FCGEU. It's that simple! Quit whining.

First of all Non-Merit Worker - are you even a member? If not join!

If your happy with the POLICE and FIRE Averaging 8 - 10% raises ever year over the last 5 years (with the exception of FY10) then don't join while you get you paultry 3.5% and lose your job.

COUNTY WORKERS NEED TO STOP WHINING AND JOIN AND ORGANIZATION TO HELP WITH THEIR CAUSE.

When you go to bed tonight just remember that Street Cop makes 90k a year, 30k in over time, gets his uniforms pressed and just may have a county car to drive home on county gasoline.

Thank you InsideGuy, for the info. I didnt even know that this kind of thing was in the county. I think that this will be a very powerful tool in fighting for the rights as workers. I am not currently a member, but I am seriously looking into. On the other hand, I feel that with a movement like wer are trying to put together, and with the help of the union, we are able to put more pressure on the county to find new ways to fund those rights, that we need as workers. For the people that do not know what the FCGEU is, please post info,and updates, about it.

All respect to those that post here. We really want more people to post serious comments and idea.

Peace

Inside Guy, perhaps you're the one who misunderstood. The survey was just trying to get OPINIONS from ALL Fire and Rescue employees, merit and non-merit regarding budget cuts and what people would be willing to part with/add. There was a seperate section after the initial survey for non-merit where they asked more questions directed towards their needs. No one is asking us to work less, it was merely to see what the response was. You know, trying to see where we come from and maybe work with us. And for the record, so far over half of the non-merit employees who took the survey said they would be willing to cut back on hours for benefits. I give a hoot about a survey because it means that the county wants to know the opinions of non-merit employees, and it is in no way a stupid question. If you actually read my post I was in no way whining. I was just trying to pass on information just like this thread is asking. These are hard times for EVERYONE, and sometimes you have to give some to get some. If you want us to stand together, don't start by calling fellow non-merit workers posts "complete non-sense". If there are more of you in that organization, I want nothing to do with it. By the way, we're not all gentlemen either. Female non-merit REPRESENT, Dickwad.

I want to start off and say thank you to all that have posted to this site. It is very good that we, as male and female non-merit workers unite in a cause that will change the outlook of our lives. Again, many people will criticize us and tell us we are wasting our time. But I say we are not wasting our time, because we believe in the rights, as workers, to wages that are decent and benefits that are just.
I also want to let people know, that this movement for Non-Merit workers rights is one of peace. We do not want to offend or criticize each other, because it will only separate us as workers. We will have differences, and that is okay. But we should always respect what people say no matter how dumb it sounds or how great it is. We should be peaceful in all we do, to accomplish this goal. As of right now, we need to set these goals. But I do appreciate our Non-Merit Women workers standing up and speaking out. We need them as much as they need us. I hope more men and women, and more importantly Non-Merit workers will post and create ideas.
I also looked over the Fairfax County Union website, and strongly urge people to join. But I also feel that we need a Movement, which will also put pressure on the people, or rather the system that creates these Non-Merit or Except Limited Term positions.
Let’s constructively criticize and not use hateful or destructive language. We need to stand united. I hope that these words reach your inner workers hearts, so we can create, educate, and develop a movement that will ensure a bright future for Non-Merit Workers and their children (if that applies).
If I have offended any one, I apologize. But the truth is sometimes hard to swallow. But when we are united, it will create change.
Peace

Non-merit, I'm gald to see how serious you are about this movement and am sorry if I tainted any image. I did not "represent" my fellow females in a positive manner and do apologize. Just like you said we all need to listen to eachother and use constructive critism, I responded innappropriately to critism on a previous post. I attempted to explain that post further but then got riled up over the way it was critisized. Also, just because one doesn't use offensive language, doesn't mean that it is necessarily constructive. Hopefully we can move forward.

Peace to you too.

Its all good. We as leaders and Non-Merit Workers have to represent ourselves in a manner that is all about respect.

Please, if any other people you know that are Non-Merit Workers, tell them to post here and comment and come up with ideas. WE NEED YOUR HELP. So please, join this movement and be apart of something that will help out fellow Non-Merit Workers.

We should not let this issue die, becuase for some, it is one that will change their lives in a bad or good way.

Peace

Hello people and Non-Merit workers. I want to give you an update of the things I have been working on.

We are now called the "United Non-Merit Workers"

I hope more people that have experienced low wages, no insurance, no job secureity, no benefits of any kind from Fairfax County Government would join this Movement of workers that will make a difference. I write these things with the utmost seriousness and respect. This is Fairfax Underground, were information and movements are disseminated and critiqued. We should stand together. Please, if you are a Non-Merit Worker from Fairfax County Government please pledge here and spread the message to others. We are trying to keep this Movement moving so we will want people that are serious and wanting and needing a change to happen in the work place.
So, we are asking people to state on this post, if they are going to join the United Non-Merit Workers of Fairfax County Government. We need you and we need you to speak up against a system that has kept us separated from living wages, benefits and job security, here in Fairfax County Government.
Please post more ideas and comment and lets spread this Movement to the hearts and minds of our workers.
peace

Korean Think Tank is up for anything that destroys White society.

*****

I carry a very,very heavy cross with a White Jesus nailed to it.

Hello Korean Think Tank. I appreciate you comment, kind of funny. I think you heart is in a good place (minus the “anything that destroys White Society”). But I think that you have knowledge and passion to get things changed in this world. I hope that you will join this Movement, not out of anger or animosity, but out of the love for fellow Non-Merit workers (all all worker and people that have been stepped on since this county was created). I really feel that if you center you thoughts, you will be a very powerful voice for all workers. I just want to remind people that this is a Movement for Non-Merit Workers that is centralized around peace and respect for all people. KTT, please add ideas on how we can get people motivated to join and how we can strategize on how we as Non-Merit Workers can obtain the same rights as other workers in Fairfax County.
I don’t mean to offend anyone. I hope my words find it to all of your hearts.
Peace

Hmm, the Korean Think Tank must think about this one. Really though, the Korean Think Tank needs $$$ badly. Its hard to explain, but if Korean Think Tank can barely put food on the table (just for myself), how can the Korean Think Tank do anything. Survival is key, though, Korean Think Tank just wants some money.

I care about people who are earning at a job they are barely able to live on, but normally, other White people take care of other Whites. Its mainly the minorities with no support at all that get tortured.

I need money Mr. Non-Merit Worker.

*****

I carry a very,very heavy cross with a White Jesus nailed to it.
Attachments:

I turly understand were your coming from. I to need money to support my growing family. The majority of people that are Non-Merit Workers are men and women that need to support themselves, and more importantly their families. I hope you can find it in your heart to think about this seriously, and know that this is a selfless act, to help out fellow workers. We must not look at this issue from a micro level (only looking at our own situation) but rather look at it from the macro level (looking at the big picture, if we fight for these rights, we as Non-Merit Workers will get these rights). Hopefully you can come to terms, and make a conscious decision to join.
United Non-Merit Workers

Non-Merit Worker it so great to be a prt of the movement and with your leadership as our leader i am sure we will get our health care and higher wages and free health care very soon. i am posting here as you ask so that word may be spred and all who read this thread shall receive great benefit

anyone who know anything of history knows great social change are impossible without feminine upheaval social progress can be measured exactly by the social position of the fair sex, teh ugly ones included

plees to you hav update liek i said erlier i have expensive dr appt i need to schedul and must know when it will be free cost

is there a website i can check out?

Non-Merit and Not Convinced Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Inside Guy, perhaps you're the one who
> misunderstood. The survey was just trying to get
> OPINIONS from ALL Fire and Rescue employees, merit
> and non-merit regarding budget cuts and what
> people would be willing to part with/add. There
> was a seperate section after the initial survey
> for non-merit where they asked more questions
> directed towards their needs. No one is asking us
> to work less, it was merely to see what the
> response was. You know, trying to see where we
> come from and maybe work with us. And for the
> record, so far over half of the non-merit
> employees who took the survey said they would be
> willing to cut back on hours for benefits. I give
> a hoot about a survey because it means that the
> county wants to know the opinions of non-merit
> employees, and it is in no way a stupid question.
> If you actually read my post I was in no way
> whining. I was just trying to pass on information
> just like this thread is asking. These are
> hard times for EVERYONE, and sometimes you have to
> give some to get some. If you want us to stand
> together, don't start by calling fellow non-merit
> workers posts "complete non-sense". If there are
> more of you in that organization, I want nothing
> to do with it. By the way, we're not all
> gentlemen either. Female non-merit REPRESENT,
> Dickwad.

Non-Merit and Not Convinced -- I don't see anywhere in this post that the survey targets FIRE & RESCUE employees to get their opinions. Perhaps you mean the entire county. You are very niave to think that anyone wants your opinion on any survey Fairfax County sends any of the employee's -- I mean anyone. The surveys are political and used by the EAC to exact their goals which by the way is managements. I'll bet you didn't know that! Yes the county supports the EAC by funding the EAC (I believe almost 500k a year) and yes I've seen the budget the EAC gets. So let me ask you? Do you still think the survey is going to help you out and do you still think anyone cares about your opinions! Believe me, management doesn't give a hoot about non-merit which I supect is what you are.

Before you rip me on this post -- know this -- I know what I am talking about! And by the way you WANT MORE OF ME IN THIS ORGANIZATION if you hope to make any difference at all. I'm glad to be called a Dickwad if it will get my point across and get ALL of you to join. It's time to stop being nice and organize like real men and women.

Now, let me try and help you again. The only way to make any difference is to join the FCGEU which is basically a big PAC (Political Action Committee). Yes we raise money to have a voice which is something merit employee's barely have and non-merit employees don't. We are affiliating with the largest UNION in the USA -the SEIU -- the same UNION that led the way for Obama.

And BTW your stupid comment (yes stupid) "we have to give some to get some". You've been getting it up the ass for years while FIRE and RESCUE, POLICE and every other UNIONIZED department in FFX has been living a life of luxury. Just read the FOX 5 Investigation on the FIRE & RESCUE car abuse. Oh yea, there go your benefits.

To everyone on this posting - you can organize by joining the FCGEU. Good Luck Lady.

Thank you again to those that have posted and organized. I do agree with insideguy on joining the union, but I feel that there should still be a movement that can operate outside of the union to put political and social pressure on the government. No disrespect to that Fairfax County Union, I have the utmost respect for all you have done for workers. But, we still need to organize outside of the Union, to use tactics that will ensure that our voices are heard loud and clear.
I can’t stress the importance of respect on this thread. I hope that the words that are being written are ones of respect for all that post here. We shouldn’t let differences or disagreements motivate us to become negative towards each other. We must stand united for our movement to go forward. We as the “United Non-Merit Employees” (we changed it from the “United Non-Merit Workers”) will certainly need help from the unions, but also we will need to start to motivate people on the other side to join and sympathize with our movement.
Our stories will be powerful because they are true and they are real. Never forget that.
Lets definitely work together and create a bound that cannot be broken.
Peace

KTT,

We do not have a website, but it is a good idea to make one. I will try to work on that. If you are really good at makeing things like that, maybe you can help the movement by making one.

Peace

Would all of you please check out the SEIU - Service Employee International Union. Though they are affiliating with the FCGEU they are clearly the post powerful union in the country. They represent many different types of labor through (PACs).

The SEIU would (I'm sure) help you arganize your cause just as they have done to help the FCGEU. It would be better to talk to some people that know what they are talking about and lead you through the process - they are professionals and they are just like you and I.

You should all be asking me how to make this happen? Not thinking about a WEB Site - the web site will come.

InsideGuy,

Thank you for the fupport. I tried contacting someone from the SEIU, put had no luck. We will love that you contact them and tell them that there is a group of Non-Merit Wokers organizing a movement to try and get those rights. But like I said before, we want to work together, but still, we will need a force that works outside of the norm of Unions, to perform as a Movement.

But please, contact them and ask them to post and we can have a dialouge here.

Peace

thank you leadr and updates please my issue with the dctor is beginning to worsen and i need to knw whn appontmnt will be free

Capital is dead labor, which, vampire-like, lives only by sucking living labor, and lives the more, the more labor it sucks. when will we be equal to those with money those high class snobs wth ther fncy degres that men nthing

Non-Merit Worker Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> InsideGuy,
>
> Thank you for the fupport. I tried contacting
> someone from the SEIU, put had no luck. We will
> love that you contact them and tell them that
> there is a group of Non-Merit Wokers organizing a
> movement to try and get those rights. But like I
> said before, we want to work together, but still,
> we will need a force that works outside of the
> norm of Unions, to perform as a Movement.
>
> But please, contact them and ask them to post and
> we can have a dialouge here.
>
> Peace


WE ALL MUST WORK TOGETHER! So I agree. Let me see what I can do. I will make some calls, get some information from the SEIU/FCGEU and post for everyone on how and whom to contact, This could take a few days. KEEP up the posting.

Thank you to all that have posted. We will be hoping to organize a meeting soon so we can start to get this ball moving.

Peace

Hello to all those that read this. I hope these word reach you well. As a member of the “United Non-Merit Employees” we are hoping to motivate non-merit workers to organize and come to the realization that we deserve better.
I have a couple of ideas on how we can approach this issue.
I was think that we need to first do our homework on what is the official definition or title of non-merit positions. Who decides that certain positions are merit or non-merit? Who has the power to change the conditions of non-merit positions? What are the legal ramifications for being involved with the “United Non-Merit Employees”.
Then I think we need to contact the media. We need to bring this issue to light. We need people to know that there are thousands of workers that are living there lives like this. If we are able to put this in the media, we can show people that we are denied rights that should be for all workers.
Then we need to expand our knowledge, training, and constituency to get them informed and involved.
I personally think that we need to approach this issue with respect, peace and nonviolence. If we can organized protest, marches, petitions, vigils and any other action in or around the Fairfax County Government Center (which includes, the Pennino and Herritey buildings).
These are just a few ideas that I have come up with. Please post meaningful and constructive comments, so we can have dialogue on this issue.
Peace

thnk you again for leading us and contactng the media to get us our rights insted of our current slavery

from each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs!!

I have not yet contacted no media. These are just ideas. Please, provide information or comments on them.

I am not going to waste my time on drabble that is written by people who just want to start some "the world can't change" attitude on this forum.

But I will comment to the original poster.

I agree that we should start thinking of our non-merit workers.

If we all sat back and said in the past and said "teachers don't deserve any benefits, or rights" then teachers NOW wouldn't have any benefits or rights.

This is an important issue, especially now with the economy as it is. If we are able to keep non-merit workers who have the training and skills to do the jobs NOW, then we won't be wasting time hiring new people and training them; especially when so many of them don't stick around much BECAUSE there are no benefits.

Of course a person can say, "Well eff this I am going to find another job," but really what does that solve? What does that teach people for the future? To quit?

People are so self absorbed in their own lives and seeing how they can fix the little itty picture and lose sight of the fact we need to fix the BIG picture.

I commend you original poster, and I will support you.

To start I think you need to start talking with your HR department and ask them where you can go to get more benefits. Whats the difference between non-merit and merit, and why you don't deserve the SAME benefits as them. From there you can find the path to continue your journey.



Good luck & Peace

Thank you for the ideas. I think we need to have more people understand what we are going through. I hope that we will hear from the union guy again, so he can post some more info.

Peace

please any updates my doctor appointment has been put off so long because i assume this will all be paid soon. i donot want large bill is their any update on this movement

You should just go to the docs.