Pantagraph.com | News | AFSCME 'overwhelmingly' signs off on 4-year labor deal with state

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Voice of Reason2 wrote on Sep 8, 2008 8:03 AM:

" To Jim4 – LOL – Since you have no clue what any of us do for a living jimbo, your weak attempt at an insult is just pathetic (look it up).

I can’t speak for the others, but because I had the ‘common sense’ to get an education and get a job that I like, you feel the need to mock me somehow? That’s classic. I guess I should have just done nothing after high school and ended up at the IDOC babysitting criminals to earn your respect?

I worked my tail off to get through college without anyone’s financial help and have a job where I work very hard doing what I do. And no, I’m not embarrassed at the life it’s afforded me.

If you don’t like the job or the pay do the same. It’s a country of opportunity if you take it. "

Voice of Reason2 wrote on Sep 8, 2008 7:55 AM:

" To Common Sense – My family is very proud of what I do thanks. My point was that no one is forcing you to do what you do. There are lots of jobs in this world that pay what you make now so why take a job you hate? If it does not pay well and has bad conditions why just sit and whine? It just does not make “common sense”.

To Freedom Fanatic - When did I say I make more money or that I felt that was required for happiness? I do, but it’s not.

To The Guard – As stated earlier, why would I do that when the job bites?

To Rude – No I’m not saying the pay raise is worth a human life. If you can read, I said that it’s not fair that some governmental employees are getting canned while others are getting raises. What you do is irrelevant. I think you knew the salary and the job requirements when you applied didn’t you? And who’s the ‘village idiot’? "

polaris wrote on Sep 6, 2008 9:36 AM:

" For those that work at the state universities, such as ISU, this means an increase in health insurance costs without any other benefits the AFSCME people got. AFSCME is the only employee negotiating unit in the state and whatever their contract is, it applies to all state employees. The vast majority have no voice in this process. I, for one, do not appreciate the $50 deductible on prescriptions that will probably be per family member. I also do not like the $6 per month increase in insurance fees because I am not getting the 15% salary increase to offset that. Believe me, I am no fan of unions and have no interest in joining one. "

TheRudeAwakening wrote on Sep 6, 2008 7:58 AM:

" To the Original JD . . . Not sure what is so original with the initials "JD", but hey whatever floats your boat. Apparently you lack the knowledge behind the workings of IDOC. The training involve has NOTHING to do with legal matters as the state, on occasion, continues to be sued by correctional staff based on several variables. The training involve prepares the new employees what to expect and how handle situations, as well as learning the "rules". So for you to say that corrections is not a skilled labor is way out of kilter. It takes a lot more skill to be a prison guard than to become a governor which you perhaps support and I continue to call him the "village idiot". Your knowledge behind the workings of IDOC only makes me laugh harder. "

Jim4 wrote on Sep 6, 2008 4:05 AM:

" We don't have to worry about Voice of Reason2, Not so Political, and The original JD filling out an application for those jobs as that would require them to do some work for their pay. "

In the Know wrote on Sep 5, 2008 11:27 PM:

" TO JD:
Look at your private prison, and see what you get for 8 dollars an hour...high turnover, and what do you have to lose if an inmate escapes?? 8 bucks an hour?? with NO benefits??? Look up Texas, Ken. and see what their "private prisons" get. With benefits, these people make 60,000 a year, and spending that money at "your" store buying "your" goods so you can make money. Look beyond the end of your nose, and see what a gaurd "really makes" not in their wallets, but in their communities... "

keep-sarcasm-alive wrote on Sep 5, 2008 11:22 PM:

" Sure there would be people who would take the job for "half the pay", some states pay half what IL pays....but those states have a HUGE problem with corruption....drug runners and gangs running the prisons. That is what happens if you don't pay a decent wage. You get people who will make the money somehow. "

The Original JD wrote on Sep 5, 2008 10:31 PM:

" To use the fact that no one wants to work for the IDOC as justification for such a huge raise is a fallacy. I am sure that no one wants to be a porta-potty cleaner either, or a burger flipper. A prison guard is not skilled labor. Sure, they make you take some training, but that is mostly for legal reasons because, having taken that training myself, I know it is of no use once you start the job. Face it, prison guards are not skilled labor, and should not be paid as such. Perhaps a trip down privitization road will teach you that there are plenty would will take your job at half the pay. "

ofc313 wrote on Sep 5, 2008 10:25 PM:

" Do the IDOC Staff deserve a raise ? They certianly do, If you walked a mile in thier shoes you would find that they never know when they will come home or maybe killed by an inmate. Sometimes searching through filthy property covered with bugs, feces and urine. Inmates do this to deter Staff from searching. The Staff get urine and feces thrown at them and sometimes a combitantion poured into a milk carton and thrown from a upper gallery. These people keep us safe while Bad People say safely locked behind bars. They do a thankless job that is rarley appreciated and always abused by the Governor. So before you say anything else I suggest you walk a mile in thier shoes and just see how hard it is. I know I used to work there. I am grateful for the work of the Staff of IDOC and I say thank you ! "

TheRudeAwakening wrote on Sep 5, 2008 5:45 PM:

" To Voice of Reason and Not so Political . . . You two are a character. As common-sense has stated, I work there for my family. And in return, I protect the public. Tell me if your job (if you even have one) holds such a positive criteria. Yeah, I work in some hazardous, life-threatening conditions. But I don't complain. Are you saying that this pay raise is worth more than human life? What is your ridiculous price? This is not even a pay raise! After putting in more money towards my medical, pension, and union dues, I'll be surprise to see a 3% increase each year. And inflation is over 5%. Do the math before spouting like our village idiot of a governor. "

the guard wrote on Sep 5, 2008 5:36 PM:

" TO ALL OF YOU WHO THINKS THIS TO MUCH . THE IDOC IS TAKING AAPACAIONS
SO IF YOU DO NOT LIKE IT JOINNG UP WE CAN WORK ALL THE HOLIDAYS TOGATHER AND THE NIGHT SHAFT. SO COME ON WE NEED GOOD HELP "

Freedom fanatic wrote on Sep 5, 2008 5:14 PM:

" Voice of Reason2 - what is it that chose to do for a career? You may make more money, but I doubt if it is as difficult as being a DOC officer. Money and things are not a measure of success and many who have these are unhappy.

I have never been nor do I ever want to be a DOC officer. I support paying DOC officers well, so quality people are attracted to the job. "

common-sense wrote on Sep 5, 2008 4:47 PM:

" to voice of reason.......Im not bragging at all. I took the job because it is a way for me to make a good honest living and take care of my family ANY way I can. I never wanted to be a prison guard when I grew up, trust me, but I sleep very well at night knowing I do what I do to the best of my ability each and every day and my kids have a better life than I ever did. I would do the nastiest, ugliest, smelliest job in this world , if it meant my family was well taken care of. Some are more fortunate in life and some are not, I am proud of what I do and so is my family. Is yours? I consider my self fortunate and that is not for anybody to question! I know Im not the smartest one here, sometimes Im about as sharp as a marble, but I dont have to be as smart as you to succeed, voice of treason.

Maybe, instead of implying how dumb someone is, you should look inside yourself? "

keep-sarcasm-alive wrote on Sep 5, 2008 4:45 PM:

" What would happen if another raise was NEVER given as it seems you people want to happen? How long do you think people would work for the state, especially such a high stress job as a correctional officer or DCFS worker? What would the citizens of this state do if the state workers go somewhere else and work? State offices and prisons cannot run themselves.

We aren't talking about raises that make millionaires. And believe me, I want the people that stand between me and rapists, murderers, and gang bangers, and those that care for the children in our state to be paid a decent wage. "

Voice of Reason2 wrote on Sep 5, 2008 3:55 PM:

" Real American - I'm sorry your forced to work in the environment you do. Oh, I guess you are not. Maybe you should have made a better career choice if you don't like things flying out of cells at you huh?

To Common Dense as well: It's really sad when people like you take crappy jobs then sit and brag that no one else is "whatever" enough to do it like you. Maybe we're just smarter than you and chose our professions more wisely? It's really funny to watch you brag about poor career choices but be my guest.

And you are right, I wouldn't do it for all the money in the world. But it's by choice and the ability to do something better thankfully. "

normaldad wrote on Sep 5, 2008 3:53 PM:

" It's actually not a HIKE as the author puts it - it actually works out at less than inflation. "

Voice of Reason2 wrote on Sep 5, 2008 3:47 PM:

" fyrfytr72 - Does it matter they "bust their rumps"? That applies to most people who work for a living. Last I checked they ALL worked their by choice right? So quit with the whining they have it so hard. If they don’t want to spend so much quality time with “the element”, get a different job. Duh.

I think the point NSP was making was that these are governmental employees of a bankrupt government (Thanks to Rod) and they are getting raises while others are losing their jobs. "

real american wrote on Sep 5, 2008 3:40 PM:

" To not so political, if you are that jelous over what we get paid, and our benefits I suggest you fill out an application. The D.O.C. has authorized the hiring of 250 new Correctional Officers, the first class of 120 starts on the 15th. I hope to see you and others who see things the way you do, walking the galleries real soon. Just remember to watch the cell in front of you while you walk. You never know what may come flying out of it. "

common-sense wrote on Sep 5, 2008 3:32 PM:

" I would venture a guess that "not so political" would not step up and fill in. The honorable men and women of DOC perform their jobs dutifully because people like "not so political" can not or will not accept this type of responsibility. Not everyone is cut out for such a high stress job and my opinion is reinforced everyday by some of the ridiculous comments posted here that have no idea of the amount of pressure or responsibility taken up by DOC employees due to understaffing and overpopulation. DOC employees deserve every penny they earn! Go join their ranks "not so political" and see how your opinion changes then. Walk a mile in their shoes....... if you think you can handle it? "

Zeder wrote on Sep 5, 2008 3:10 PM:

" Maybe it would be better to just open the cell doors and let them out ?? These men and women put their lives on the line every day. "

fyrfytr72 wrote on Sep 5, 2008 3:08 PM:

" Does it matter if they ar a non-money making department? Most of these people bust their rumps baby sitting criminals. They deserve the raise for putting in the time that they spend with "the element". How about these hard working people walk out? Are you going to step up and fill in? "

Not so Political wrote on Sep 5, 2008 2:19 PM:

" We can not keep the DNR parks open but we can give 35,000 employee of a non money making department raises? Something is really wrong here. "

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