BUDGET HOSTAGE, DAY 31: PAYLESS PAYDAY

Epiphanies should be rippling across Pennsylvania this morning. Although the State of Pennsylvania (thru SEAP) does not recognize the budget impasse as a "traumatic event," 33,000 HUMANS woke up to the truth. That very sad truth is a missing deposit parallel to the pay stubs issued by their employers.

To many, this will be the "straw that breaks the camel's back." Some will be paralyzed and not able to function, physically or mentally. They won't make it into work today, in hopes that they will be able to recover over the weekend. But also possessing the fear of disciplinary action, which only makes their condition worse. They are not FIT FOR DUTY.

This week, I've had many universal alignments. Tuesday, during an impromptu interview with PJ Reilly of Lancaster Newspapers, I was able to express the facts of the current working conditions. So much so, that it actually made it to print. I was pleased.

"I hope no one gets hurt before (lawmakers and the governor) decide it's urgent (to pass a budget), because it's human nature for people to go into a desperation mode right now," he said. "The amount of stress this is causing people is not being acknowledged, let alone being serviced."

Wednesday morning(DAY 29), this picture is on the FRONT PAGE. Needless to say, I got a lot of feedback throughout the work day. Mostly positive and some cautious and amazed. To take action is ME. But to many others, there is a fear that exists. I can only hope that my actions can break some of their fears. Because only then will we be free.

Also Wednesday, I received a letter from PA Department of Labor and Industry. It caused many different scenarios to blitz through my head before opening it. Most of these scenarios would not have been options a month ago. BEFORE the impasse.

I opened the letter and it was an Availability Survey for the job I applied for back in May. My light at the end of this CAO tunnel may have an end. My interview is scheduled for 8/7.

Wednesday also included the first "outbreak" in the office. I haven't spoken to either of the individuals involved, but this is what I've heard. I am quite familiar with the current situation of the employee, and the supervisor involved has quite the reputation.

The worker was filling out an application for Food Stamps. Imagine the psychological contradictions involved in filing an application for assistance in the very office you WORK. Then have a supervisor(not your own) who has a history of "bullying" workers tell you to complete the application on your break. He lost it. The completely verbal altercation (allegedly)ended in the POLICE being called.

If a 911 call wasn't placed, this is against DPW policy. As stated in the Workplace Violence Memo sent out the previous day.

If a 911 call WAS made, it reinforces the fact that management DOES NOT UNDERSTAND the size or scope of the problems.



To further reinforce either their misunderstanding, or blatant disregard, Thursday (DAY 30) another encounter. Our Virginia-Slim-smokin'-ED approaches me during lunch(MY TIME) to comment on something I did on MY TIME.

VSSED: "So now that you're famous, with your picture on the front of the paper, you're not going to avoid us now are you?"

I wanted to say you don't have to worry about me avoiding you! But instead I calmly replied "it doesn't seem to be enough."

She then says "I'm confident the budget will be signed and we'll get paid the week of the 10th."

I said "that's still 2 weeks away."

She then said something to make it seem like it was next week.

And I told her "No, it's 2 WEEKS." Walked away.

She inspired me SO much that I'm going to take my letter to all the local restaurants and see if they will donate or offer specials to state workers.

You know, the one that ends:

"While this correspondence creates no obligation on the part of you or your business, appreciate any flexibility you can provide to affected employees during the impasse."

And that's not MY grammatical error. WHO appreciates? Apparently not the person who signed this letter. It didn't mean enough to even proofread.

If there is any doubt to anyone that we are in a Depression, please admit it to yourself now. The GOVERNMENT is not paying its employees. And the money keeps going to the banks!

BUDGET HOSTAGE, DAY 28: WHAT A LUNCH!

Today was hot! And standing in the heat at high noon, yelling at the top of my lungs didn't help. While thousands voiced their outrage in Harrisburg, a little over a dozen of us took to the square of Lancaster.

Work is beginning to tense up. We received a "Workplace Violence" EMAIL today. It contained the policy regarding it. Not a thing about how to prevent it, recognize it, or defend against it. Basically, "we don't tolerate it." Along the lines of "Stop whining!"

Also read today in the supervisor meeting notes that workers who are APPLYING for services in our office have TO TAKE LEAVE for their "interview." Good grief.

Does the State not realize that they are CAUSING the same conditions that they want to punish people for?

I got lucky with the Lancaster Newspapers today. Thanks to Farah for having the camera. And to LNP for putting a mic in front of my face.

BUDGET HOSTAGE, DAY 27: THE AWAKENING

A U.S. Department of Labor spokesperson tells CBS 21 that the purpose of the investigation is to protect state workers rights under the Fair Labor Standards Act. The department says now that an investigation is under way, there is no need for any more state workers to call and complain.

Sounds like the governor got a little talkin-to over the weekend. He's now THINKING. And more importantly, he thinks we need to "get the government running again."

Tomorrow I will be protesting in Penn Square, downtown Lancaster. Across from the brand new Convention Center, and right outside Central Market. Should be fun!

Some people took tomorrow off to head to Harrisburg too. The momentum's shifting.

BUDGET HOSTAGE, DAY 26: EVE OF DESPERATION

In March 2003, I was still in the Air Force and stationed at Wright-Patterson AFB in Ohio. I had a set of orders and plane tickets to Turkey, somewhere along the southern border. There I would be setting up a base "from scratch" in order for the war with Iraq to begin. Although, I was never sent to Turkey I was scheduled three different times to fly out. All three canceled by a call in the middle of the night.

Needless to say, this was a very stressful time in my life. As a result of this experience, I formed an ever-growing discontent with the government. Because of what it personally put me through, and what I've come to find out it puts millions of people through everyday.

July 2009 is now comparable to March 2003. And it has the potential to surpass 03 this week. I am very concerned about how coworkers will react this week. It gets no realer than knowing you will not be paid when your livelihood, as well as your family's, is dependent upon this pay. These conditions, caused by our employer, are going to make good people do bad things. And it will not be their choice; it will be human nature.

Desperation is defined by Merriam-Webster as "loss of hope and surrender to despair." People have definitely lost hope, and I'm confident as this week progresses it will become obvious that folks can't think of anything else other than how they are going to provide for their families. The patience the governor has asked for is wearing thin. If he and his chain-of-command keep ignoring the health issues involved, I'm afraid the patience is going to turn to patients.

I'm sure that I have acquired some sort of "condition" as a result of this impasse. I say that because I am obsessed. And I'm enraged that the lawmakers do not share my obsession. I cannot effectively do my job because I cannot quit thinking about how to make them do theirs. (NOTE: I am aware of my obsession and this is NOT a threat towards anyone.)

The lack of leadership and management is disturbing. I am not "classified" as a worker who should be recognizing warning signs and proactively trying to prevent "traumatic events." But lack of classification should not discount my concerns. Until now, they have been. In a formal meeting on June 17, we requested SEAP to provide us a service. They declined and offered individual assistance.

I've spent a lot of time on their site, along with our other state-provided resource liveandworkwell.com. EVERY article, regulation, powerpoint presentation specifically states: DO NOT IGNORE warning signs.

From an article they have posted on their site titled, "Depression Costs Billions,"

"And many people don't recognize depression as an illness. Symptoms of fatigue and indecisiveness are often seen as personality problems, laziness, or weakness."

From an article by the Mayo Clinic titled "Job Burnout: Understand Symptoms and Take Action"

What are job burnout symptoms?

Ask yourself these questions to see if you're experiencing job burnout signs or symptoms:

* Do you find yourself being more cynical, critical and sarcastic at work?

* Have you lost the ability to experience joy?

* Do you drag yourself into work and have trouble getting started once you arrive?

* Have you become more irritable and less patient with co-workers, customers or clients?

* Do you feel that you face insurmountable barriers at work?

* Do you feel that you lack the energy to be consistently productive?

* Do you no longer feel satisfaction from your achievements?

* Do you have a hard time laughing at yourself?

* Are you tired of your co-workers asking if you're OK?

* Do you feel disillusioned about your job?

* Are you self-medicating — using food, drugs or alcohol — to feel better or to simply not feel?

* Have your sleep habits or appetite changed?

* Are you troubled by unexplained headaches, neck pain or lower back pain?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be experiencing job burnout. But because some of these symptoms also can indicate certain health conditions, such as depression, be sure to consult with your health care provider about your symptoms.

PLEASE, everyone be strong.

BUDGET HOSTAGE: DAY 25: THE STATE'S RESPONSE

OK, so I've been spending most of my time reading and doing. Making it impossible to actually sit down and write anything. Out of necessity, the time has come for me to write again. Or else, my head is going to explode.

I'm also beginning to write down what has happened because it is now EVIDENCE in a federal investigation. Since we already have the USDOL's attention, why not take a look at working conditions too.





07.24.2009 USDOL Response to Payroll Records

The letter above is consistent with the governor's interpretation of last year's Commonwealth Court ruling throughout this whole debacle. On 7/17, the governor said "I wish the law wasn't the law." I would feel the same way when I realized that I broke it.

I will never forget July 2009. It has been a month like no other. A true struggle and a call of spirit. I've learned a lot about the law, unions, worker's rights, politics, etc. I've made contact with a lot of great people, who I hope to continue in the fight that workers(and all humans) face. And sadly, a lot of those same people are now just realizing it exists.

Two sources specifically I would like to give a special thanks to are:

Floor9

Nana's House

They've taught me much, and I've never even met them.