Why it’s super fun to work at 14th & Broadway
Protests are getting started to conclude the week of action against the gang injunctions, and as of 3:40pm youth activists are blocking the intersection at 14th and Broadway. The crowd is energetic, almost jubilant, and I see quite a few bikes. Of course the media choppers are already circling so that adds to the atmosphere as well. The posted rally location was City Hall so I presume they’ll open up the streets before 5pm.
My household is a bit divided on the gang injuction. I think Angela Davis’ opinion piece in today’s Oakland Tribune was right on the money. However, I think we need some intervention as well as prevention. Gangs are self-perpetuating social structures, and education and job opportunities alone will not disrupt the existing organizations enough to stop them.
That said, I’m not convinced the injunction is the best intervention. And I’m excited to see Oakland’s youth mobilized against injustice through non-violent civil disobedience. Hopefully folks will keep their cool and the media vultures will go home soon.
In Defense of State Workers
I didn’t make it to the Wisconsin Solidarity rally in SF today. I’m kind of antisocial these days, what with another person inside of me 24-7. Instead, let me tell you what I know about state workers.
My partner, Peter, is an employee of the State of California. He just got a promotion, so I’m not sure what his new salary is, but I think I still make more money than he does. And I work at a non-profit advocacy organization! That is to say, neither of us make a lot of money, but you’d think that the taxes from the 5th largest economy in the world would result in higher salaries than $35 memberships from transit geeks. Not so.
Oh, but the benefits! Those amazing health care perks and pensions. Well, Peter has been a state employee for 2.5 years, which means that he gets some of his health care premiums paid for – but not all. And yes, there is a pension fund, but it’s not likely to be sufficient for retirement anytime soon. The payout, once vested, is 2% of salary multiplied by total years of employment. So, if Peter stays with the state for 20 years, he would be eligible for 40% of his salary (average of highest three years). This is not indexed to inflation so after 20 years, it’s definitely not enough to feed us and pay for the Fruitbat’s college tuition.
That said, it’s GREAT to have group health care that’s partially paid by one’s employer. And it is FABULOUS to have a pension of any amount. Because it’s true – most people don’t have these things. Most people also don’t have job security, which used to be one of the other perks of taking the low-paying public employee jobs. (Not to mention, liking your job – which probably isn’t true of every state worker but is definitely a privilege that I know Peter enjoys.)
What I don’t understand is, why people are so mad at public employees and not at their own bosses. Why people want to take away collective bargaining rights from others, rather than gain them for themselves. Shouldn’t we all have health care and pensions? I mean, companies are posting record profits now that the “recession” is “over.” Wouldn’t it make more sense to demand that all large employers provide pensions? After all, they used to… Read more…
Gearing up…
So. I started a blog, as you see. I have to figure out what to do with it next – but in the meantime, please enjoy one of my favorite YouTube movies. See you soon!
shannon and... 