I seldom get involved in these discussions about unions,but I couldn't help noticing that the RIPTA employees' union is avoiding providing bus service to the VA Hospital/Medical Center because there is picketing going on regarding contract workers who are non-union doing construction work there.Whenever I go to the medical center I am handed a leaflet by picketers.No problem.I read it the first time and have no dog in that fight.
On the other hand the misguided action by the transit workers is impacting people who are disabled as a result of serving this country who also have exactly zero involvement in the labor dispute.This action is asinine and reflects very poorly on the people taking part in it.
I'm sure a hack like Crowley would be able to "justify" this crap,but then it's what you'd expect from him.
The picketers themselves are non-intrusive and I have no beef with them.
My source for this is a letter to the editor from the online Projo-I haven't actually seen this as a news story.If I am wrong,please correct me.

Joe, you are absolutely right. I did hear about this a couple of days ago on WHJJ as a news item. I also heard it from a friend who eye-witnessed it. Disabled, blind, sick veterans are being forced to walk from the road, up to the hospital when the bus should be taking them to the door.

This is just another example of how our Governor fails to be a leader. He should order those bus drivers to serve their customers or fire them!

It happened for a day, the bus drivers realized their mistake, the workers who were picketing apologised, in writing and the story should be over.

Listening to your radio show today truly angered me and I would like to hear your rationale for stating that crossing guards should not have access to health care benefits through collective bargaining. Really? Why is that and what do they deserve in your opinion?

Shriver Lenox

Shriver-

I'd say they deserve the same thing that anyone else who works a 15 hour a week job should get. What do the 15 hour a week McDonald's workers get? How about the 15 hour a week workers at Blockbuster Video? How about what the 15 hour a week waitstaff at a local restaurant gets? That sounds about right.

Yes, they deserve about $15 an hour and a pat on the back for a job well done. That's it. It's a job for retirees and stay at home parents. It's not a career.

Any time we pay more to a person in benefits than salary, the system is really broken.

Shriver, Your premise is flawed. They don't DESERVE anything other than what the employer (the City via the taxpayer) will pay for the work performed. Supply and demand. Somehow, thousands of school districts across the country manage to get by with student or volunteer (ie; unpaid) crossing guards. As for what I think, as Pat touched on, I generally believe that any time someone's benefits package outpaces their actual wage, there is a flaw in the system.