When I was still working, the Union for my craft had already negotiated both Sick Time and Personal Leave days into our contract.
With my hobby of Sports Car racing, that would take place on weekends and require traveling up to 8 hours from home to participate I would bid in jobs that complemented my need - with that being said none of the jobs I held had weekends as the rest days. With that being the case I would schedule one or two Personal Days so that I could participate.
In July 1996 I was operated on for colon cancer and was off work until after Labor Day that year. The accumulated Sick Time, coupled with Railroad Retirement Unemployment benefits kept me financially solvent during that period of time. From September through February I was able to undergo Chemo and Radiation therapies to defeat the illness during my regular off time.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
It's one thing to make a conscious effort to stay healthy.
It's another thing entirely to actually stay healthy. That stomach bug your kid brings home from school, or that bad taco can wipe out those efforts.
OTOH, "mental health days" are a convenient way to gain a little time off without digging into personal days or vacation days. Especially if you have (as I did) better than a year's sick leave on the books. They aren't officially recognized, however...
Unfortunately, there are those who will abuse the privilege...
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
BaltACD, I for one am very glad that you came out on top in your battle with The Big C. Your knowledge base that you share with us adds immeasurably to these pages. Thanks for doing that for us! And I am thankful to The Big Guy upstairs for you still being here to share your knowledge with us!
kgbw49BaltACD, I for one am very glad that you came out on top in your battle with The Big C. Your knowledge base that you share with us adds immeasurably to these pages. Thanks for doing that for us! And I am thankful to The Big Guy upstairs for you still being here to share your knowledge with us!
Thank You!
The proposed agreement is not all cracked up what the carriers want others to believe. Removing 3 PLDs from the allocated 11 and changing them to sick days does not solve the issue as nothing is gained. Staying healthy working in unassigned service is not easy. One can take all health precautions but unless you get adequate sleep (good luck on that) nothing else matters. Yrs & yrs of being in jet lag over half the time will bust the most healthy individual out there
I miss the days when you could just mark off when you needed to and mark back up. Back when rational people ran the RR and realized that, you know, sometimes people working long and varied hours need occasional time off. Whether for phsyical or mental well-being.
3 days is a joke. Kind of like the "scheduled helathcare days" that only unassigned people get to have.
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.
BaltACDIn July 1996 I was operated on for colon cancer and was off work until after Labor Day that year. The accumulated Sick Time, coupled with Railroad Retirement Unemployment benefits kept me financially solvent during that period of time. From September through February I was able to undergo Chemo and Radiation therapies to defeat the illness during my regular off time.
Congratulations! That is great news. You've been cancer free all the years since? If so, you've really done well.
York1 John
I asked my doctor if I gave up delicious food and all alcohol, would I live longer? He said, "No, but it will seem longer."
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