(no subject)
I really need to stop reading comments on newspaper articles. Between the comments on what is going on in Attawapiskat and everything going on with the TTC, I have just been angry for 3 days.
It really bothers me when people complain about TTC employees, specifically the drivers, making too much money. For those who complain that management makes too much, I do agree, but tell me any business where that doesn't happen. That's part of what Occupy Wall Street is all about; how management in most business make an obscene amount of money. Yes, managerial work is worth more because it is more challenging and there are more responsibilities but in many cases, it is way out of line. In terms of the drivers- so what if they just need a high school education? I don't believe that we should HAVE working poor- if you work 40 hours a week, you should be able to live in reasonable housing and feed your family, no matter what sector you work in; that is the intent of a minimum wage, even if that minimum wage doesn't accomplish that goal at the moment. It hurt me to watch my coworkers at PharmaPlus killing themselves working two jobs for years and years and years to save up for a down payment on a house. People complain that bus drivers make more than a living wage now. Why shouldn't they? Even if they are not skilled labourers, I, as a TTC rider, find their work vital to the way I live. They may not be skilled, but they keep this city moving and all they get for it is crap. I've had plenty of terrible TTC drivers who I think should find a different career if they can't deal with the customer service aspects of the one they've got, but I've also had incredible TTC drivers who have put me in a good mood for the entire day. And I think every person in every job deserves the dignity of not having the public constantly crying out that they don't deserve to live more than a minimum wage existence.
It really bothers me when people complain about TTC employees, specifically the drivers, making too much money. For those who complain that management makes too much, I do agree, but tell me any business where that doesn't happen. That's part of what Occupy Wall Street is all about; how management in most business make an obscene amount of money. Yes, managerial work is worth more because it is more challenging and there are more responsibilities but in many cases, it is way out of line. In terms of the drivers- so what if they just need a high school education? I don't believe that we should HAVE working poor- if you work 40 hours a week, you should be able to live in reasonable housing and feed your family, no matter what sector you work in; that is the intent of a minimum wage, even if that minimum wage doesn't accomplish that goal at the moment. It hurt me to watch my coworkers at PharmaPlus killing themselves working two jobs for years and years and years to save up for a down payment on a house. People complain that bus drivers make more than a living wage now. Why shouldn't they? Even if they are not skilled labourers, I, as a TTC rider, find their work vital to the way I live. They may not be skilled, but they keep this city moving and all they get for it is crap. I've had plenty of terrible TTC drivers who I think should find a different career if they can't deal with the customer service aspects of the one they've got, but I've also had incredible TTC drivers who have put me in a good mood for the entire day. And I think every person in every job deserves the dignity of not having the public constantly crying out that they don't deserve to live more than a minimum wage existence.