On Sat, 20 Mar 2004 06:59:13 -0600 "Thomas Searles"
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
- - - While 1,000 people showed up for a rally at the capital on
Thursday, I'm not see a huge outpouring of support for the striking
workers. Maybe I just don't watch enough TV news. - - -
COMMENT:
Some people who support the workers were at work during the rally.
Others were unable to take the bus to get there. Some people never go to
rallies. Getting a thousand people at a rally is a major accomplishment,
given the circumstances.
On Sat, 20 Mar 2004 06:59:13 -0600 "Thomas Searles"
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> further writes:
- - - The striking workers should have received their last full paycheck
on Friday and now their insurance bill will soon be due. - - -
COMMENT:
Insurance companies get paid at the beginning of the month. The per
paycheck deduction is usually for the convenience of the worker and the
employer. The deductions are usually advance payments. The insurance
should be good through the end of March. Under Cobra rules, the first
payment would be necessary in the first 30 days, or by April 30.
Some workers may have insurance through their spouses. Some workers
may be eligible for VA coverage. Some workers may take the Cobra coverage
because of other income. Others may just become uninsured and go to
county facilities if they need medical care. The ATU 1005 can buy health
insurance if the strike fund is sufficient. MAPE was in the process of
doing so during the state workers strike of 2001.
Health insurance or not, many will find other ways to make money if
the strike goes on much longer. It is possible that there will be far
fewer remaining bus drivers to return to work if the strike lasts for
another
month. $150 per week doesn't go very far.
Thanks.
John O'Neal
Northeast Minneapolis
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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