Bombs, Bats and Balls - Play Ball!
There is a time and a place for everything. Bombs, Bats and Balls - Play Ball! The Hallmark of leadership is knowing when to use any of them. There are many things to get pissed about at LTD but the story that I heard about the security portion of the fall training is not one of them. First, Kay Christopher is teaching what she was told to teach. Fortunately, the training program has a real strong involvement from union members from John Dahl to all of our other trainers and they all do a great job. Now I have to admit that I do not have any first hand information about what happened Wednesday and Friday but it was all the buzz today at the shuttles. But there are a couple of things that I am sure of. It just does not seem right to bring a baseball bat to a training program for purpose of demonstration.
You see a baseball bat is not a difficult visualization for me in a discussion. The demonstration seems a little over the top and frankly reflects poorly on all of us. I really hope that the Bosses recognize the degree of concern and vulnerability that those of our brothers and sisters that work at night are feeling. Fear is a real element of this service and it seems just not enough to say "don't worry be happy". I really hope that the Bosses don't over react in this instance. They need to be fair and evaluate what happened and recognize this as a sign of concern about the isolation that night workers face. Also, I am happy to be getting this training information of being careful and observant.
I also don't think that as some have said "let us carry pepper spray or some other way to defend ourselves". I think this wrong and dangerous. Remember if one person carries a weapon then all have to carry a weapon. If we all don't have weapons when some of us do then those that don't have weapons are even more vulnerable, because the aggressive behavior will become even more intense as the aggressors will expect a larger defensive capability with a weapon. It just makes it less safe overall. Police officers also require 4 to 6 hours of training in the use of pepper spray. When would LTD do that! Also pepper spray has been responsible for some deaths. In addition, in an enclosed environment like a bus, many innocent people and children could be injured or affected by the pepper spray, not to mention the driver who elects to take such a foolish step.
If there is a legitimate concern about the safety by employees and the isolated conditions that they work in, then there is a better remedy. Really there is.
Call OSHA 1-800-922-2689. LTD has a legal responsibility to provide safe working conditions for all of us. OSHA does not respond only to incidents. OSHA can also be called in response to addressing risk reduction. There are many requirements in the law about workers who work alone and how quickly they will be responded to in a crisis or emergency where their safety is concerned. There is also what is called the "general duty requirement" to provide a safe and healthy work environment. Concerns that are raised must be examined and determinations made. Now this is a much better tactic than bringing a bat to work.
Now if I were the major leaguer that came with their own bat to the game Friday Night, I would be busy writing an apology to Ms. Christopher and the anyone else that was concerned about this. Then I would get on the phone to OSHA and air my concerns about safety. I would do that right away because it is the right way.
Bosses you need to accept this as a wake up call too! It sounds like to me that we have been lucky so far in talking to the night crew. Do something about make these jobs safer and do it soon.
In solidarity,
Joe Hill
JH 60
P.S. Heard recently that LTD did not think that this picture was very funny. I think it is hilarious. Why don't you boss type folk settle down a little and get a sense of humor. Reprinted in an effort to get these guys to lighten up - after all don't worry, be happy!
Don't forget to cast your vote about what to do about the Pangbert and the AVS bus fiasco. Vote at:
http://joehill.freepolls.com/cgi-bin/polls/003/poll_center.htm
Again Just for Fun!!!!
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