Do unpaid workers have cause to sue their employers for back pay with interest? What about damages?
US shutdown: Flight delays caused by staff shortages
61–70 of 612 posts
Re: US shutdown: Flight delays caused by staff shortages
#62Federal workers should start striking. I gather that in most cases they're explicitly prevented from striking, but I think there's a good chance that it's too unpopular to actually punish them. Also yesterday some leadership of the flight attendants union called for a general strike until it was over: https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2019/01/could-an-unlikely-av...
Reagan did famously fire 11,000 striking air traffic controllers - so while you might be right I can understand a lot of hesitation.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Professional_Air_Traffic_Contr...
That was very cool. I know Reagan presidency is often romanticised, especially by, ugh, libertarians, but he had a pair of balls.
Re: US shutdown: Flight delays caused by staff shortages
#63There's no way the federal shutdown lasts too much longer. The heat is on and too many people feel the hurt now, especially in a place like New York. If I were a betting man, I'd say 3-4 days max.
we will all soon be reminded of the importance of borders.
Re: US shutdown: Flight delays caused by staff shortages
#64There's no way the federal shutdown lasts too much longer. The heat is on and too many people feel the hurt now, especially in a place like New York. If I were a betting man, I'd say 3-4 days max.
>especially in a place like New York.
Staff shortages causing this are at Washington Center, which is not located in NYC.
"Staffing ZDC"
Re: US shutdown: Flight delays caused by staff shortages
#65Federal workers should start striking. I gather that in most cases they're explicitly prevented from striking, but I think there's a good chance that it's too unpopular to actually punish them. Also yesterday some leadership of the flight attendants union called for a general strike until it was over: https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2019/01/could-an-unlikely-av...
It is illegal for them to strike. https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/5/7311
> I gather that in most cases they're explicitly prevented from striking, but I think there's a good chance that it's too unpopular to actually punish them
Yeah, I know.
Re: US shutdown: Flight delays caused by staff shortages
#66Earlier quoted context omitted.
Some banks are setting up low interest loan programs only for federal employees. They are low interest and are focused on amounts of 2-3 time your paycheck. Granted the rate things are going that might not be enough.
Not to mention that low interest loans are sort of predatory in this context, despite being lower than market rate interest rates. I understand that they have a profit a motive, but it doesn't make them the "good guys" in this scenario. There really are no good guys during a government shutdown.
Seriously, I'd imagine most of the people impacted who need the loans don't necessarily have the income to cover an extra loan payment when this is over.
Re: US shutdown: Flight delays caused by staff shortages
#67Federal workers should start striking. I gather that in most cases they're explicitly prevented from striking, but I think there's a good chance that it's too unpopular to actually punish them. Also yesterday some leadership of the flight attendants union called for a general strike until it was over: https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2019/01/could-an-unlikely-av...
they're explicitly prevented from striking Wow, is this true? Is this even legal (except maybe police and military)?
Safety-critical services like police, military, and yes, air traffic control, are not allowed to go on strike.
Everyone who's working without pay is also not allowed to strike. Everyone else who is not getting paid are not expected to work during the shut down.
Re: US shutdown: Flight delays caused by staff shortages
#68Bearing in mind that ~40% of american's could not come up with $400 to cover emergencies, this is going to become more prevalent in the next few days / weeks as people will simply not be able to afford gas to get to their unpaid work. I read an article today discussing how TSA workers in HI are living in their cars in the airport parking lot as they cannot afford to commute. The FBI just cancelled its internship prog…
I've seen too many people say, "Oh, government workers should all know this stuff happens all the time, and if they don't have months or years of savings in the bank then it's just their fault". It's really sad that instead of being compassionate, too many are focusing on what "should" be instead of what is the reality for many people. Like you point out, the reality is that most people don't have savings. They shoul…
It's the same way for families who live in border communities. Only the problem doesn't immediately evaporate when the government reopens. Federal workers will likely be backpaid, but a victim of illegal immigrant-perpetrated murders or sexual assualt can never be repaid.
Re: US shutdown: Flight delays caused by staff shortages
#69As a non US citizen, I don’t understand what’s that shutdown even about, seems like absurd thing to do. Is it all because of Trump or he is not the only one to blame? I remember there was some shutdown when Obama was there too? Or am I mistaken?
Edit: downvoted for asking a question?
Re: US shutdown: Flight delays caused by staff shortages
#70Who eats the cost of those cancelled flights?
Depending on the cancellation terms, the airlines or the fliers, and it probably trickles down to the businesses or individuals when they have to make alternative travel arrangements.