Strike update

**lisettelovebug** · 12-21-2007, 12:08 AM

Well dh is technically still on strike.... almost been 5 months!! This company still doesn't want to negotiate and it should be clear to everyone now that it wasn't about the contract - it's all about breaking the union.

Though we did get some good news - Dh just got a job making about a $1 less an hour but no overtime. He starts on Jan 2. Thank goodness because he hadn't been called back to work yet (they've been on strike since August, union proposed to work under the old contract, company denied, then the company a week later called an impasse = which means that they could call back who they wanted, when they wanted and the employees would be working under the last proposed contract - which essentially was the contract proposed in August). They took back about half the workers so far but the people in there say it is a very bad environment. (you have to ask to go PEE!!!). So he's glad to be out of there.

He will be training during 1st shift for a few months and then will be working 7pm-7am Fri, Sat and Sun and getting paud for 40 hours. This is actually great becuase he will be able to take classes to get his associate degree. And if we need me to go back to work we would only need a sitter when he has classes.

So, we will have about $500 bring home a week that I will now have to budget. - down from about $700 (he worked OT whenever he could) If it gets tough I will either go back to work or maybe babysit a kid or two. Also have been looking for ways to reduce our spending.

Today I decided to continue taking classes this semester too. I had been working on my associates for computer information technology and had to take the fall off to have our new little guy. I already have a bachelors in history but that's the worse major unless you're going to teach. Plus I've always like computers and feel that that's the job market I need to be in. I'm going to take 2 internet courses for now until dh gets on his normal weekend schedule. I will be deferring my school loans so this will reduce our montly payments by $140.

The baby has been sleeping better - we've been putting him in this little baby seat to sleep for now. Starting next week I will start trying to put him in the bassinet. I want to get him sleeping in it before dh goes to work. I have to say though when I do get him to sleep he does sleep quite a while. I fed him around 8pm last night and laid him down around 8:30. He slept until 3!!! I was amazed. Of course, I didn't get much extra sleep because I didn't go to bed until late. There's just so much to do, plus sometimes I just need quiet time on the computer.

We will be paying off what little cc debt we aquired for Xmas (about $150 - all else was cash this year) when we get income taxes back in spring and that will help our budget tremendously. $500 a week seems so low for income in our budget but I know I was making so much less than that when it was just me and ds - about $250 a week - and did just fine. Of course now we have student loan debt, an extra cell phone line (we don't have a home phone) and other debt. Of course with 5 of us now it would be more expensive. More diapers, food, etc.

**dianne9106** · 12-21-2007, 02:12 AM

That is great news!! Glad things are getting back to normal for your family! Though the hours may sound a little odd to some - they sound like they will work out great for your family. If things do get to tight, one of you could always get a part time job during the week. For now, stay at home with the little ones - they don't stay small for long. Best Wishes for the Holidays!
Dianne
PS: Thank you for the calendar link!

**MarshHen** · 12-21-2007, 08:25 AM

Yes, glad to hear that things are beginning to come together for you guys. We have been there before, and while it's tough going, it's very do-able. My husband has worked shift work for 34 years now, so I've learned to be flexible and frugal with schedules, meals, money and family time. This new work schedule will take some getting used to, but with time it will all work out. Wishing you all the best.

**powerfm1** · 12-21-2007, 09:51 AM

Maybe he's better off working somewhere else. It doesn't sound like his old company was going to do any good faith bargaining. They must be idiots. Think of all the money they lost by not negotiating.

Everything will be fine.

Have a nice holiday!

**leezza** · 12-21-2007, 09:57 AM

Lisette,

Sorry for your hubby and what he is going thru, yeesh, what a pain.....and I know it is really hard on him. People should know that if all the unions get broken that those crappy work conditions will be everywhere and that employee will all be working in those kind of places.

On the home front I know you will make it thru you are such a trooper and you work so hard to hold it all together, I just know that you will be alright.

Sincerely,
leezza

**lisettelovebug** · 12-21-2007, 05:56 PM

Thank goodness he got that job!!! Today the court ruled that it was an economic strike not an unfair labor strike. Which means that they do not have to take everyone back. Seems like everything has been stacked against this union since the start. I'm not sure of all the other implications of this - with the impasse and all. I did hear that it could take them YEARS to negotiate a contract!!

This whole thing just really sucks for those still on the outside who haven't found other work yet. I feel sorry for them and their families.