Scranton, Pennsylvania Screws Over Workers, Drops Wages To $7.25/Hr Without Notice
SCRANTON, PA — How would you like to show up at work, open your paycheck and discover your employer has involuntarily cut your paycheck to just $7.25? That was the scenario that played out this week in Scranton, Pennsylvania after the city ran out of funds and Mayor Chris Doherty had to make a quick decision.
Employees on Friday ranging from fire fighters and police officers to secretaries and public works officers discovered they had involuntarily taken pay decreases to minimum wage levels. Even Mayor Doherty watched as his pay dropped to only a fraction of its original amount.
The city of Scranton has fallen apart since its population began decreasing at the end of World War II. In recent months the city council and the mayor’s office have fought over how to balance a failing budget that now includes a $16.8 million gap.
Doherty for his part wanted to raise taxes while the city council wanted to borrow money which would lead to high interest payments.
When asked why he would cut employee wages without notice Doherty responded:
“I’m trying to do the best I can with the limited amount of funds that I have. I want the employees to get paid. Our people work hard — our police and fire — I just don’t have enough money and I can’t print it in the basement.”
After paying his employees just $7.25 per hour the city had only $5,000 left in the bank and while it received more funds later in the day it was still short of the $1 million it owes to nearly 400 workers who received only minimum-based paychecks.
On Monday morning the firefighters union plans to ask a judge to hold Doherty in contempt.
Speaking to NPR firefighter John Judge said he received only $600 in his paycheck:
“Don’t know how I’m going to pay bills at home. I may be able to stave it off for a little while. [The] kids aren’t going to be able to do certain activities this summer — maybe we’re not going to be able to go on vacation.”
ThinkProgress notes that the federal minimum wage has not been raised since 2006 which further compounds the difficulties faced by Scranton employees.
As Scranton has continued to bleed money the cities unions over the last decade have continued to ask for increased pay, taking their wage lawsuits all the way to the Supreme Court.
Tags : City Workers, Minimum Wage, Pennsylvania, Scranton Pennsylvania, Scraton
Posted: July 8, 2012
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Jul 8, 2012
Sorry his family cant take a vacation and the kids aren't going to be able to do their summer activities I haven't had a vacation in 8 years.
Jul 8, 2012
Oh. There would be a problem. What if you were a person that lived paycheck to paycheck and only receive half or even a third of what you normally bring home. I'm surprised no one went postal.
Jul 8, 2012
omg WAAAAAA my kids can't go on vacation. Do you understand your state is BROKE? Do you know that plenty of people HAVE to get by on what you just got EVERY payday for years? Give me a break. Civil service is so over paid as it is.. you should have been putting some of them fat checks up instead of finding new ways to spend it.
Jul 9, 2012
Hell…I live on that now…welcome to the real world you spoiled brats.
Jul 9, 2012
Nor has your pay been 50 to 70 percent. I so dislike people who have no empathy for others because they're miserable.
Jul 9, 2012
It makes me sad that all the people posting here are angry at the official that reduced the pay of the employees and even his own. I am sorry that those workers were expected to be paid a certain amount and were given much less. I don't think any one of you would tolerate that, but because they work for the government, its ok. In the private sector, its the same thing, prices rise due to employee salary increases, so if you get a raise, the price goes up…same thing as taxes, isn't it?
Jul 9, 2012
It's funny how people are more worried about state and union workers-police, firefighters, teachers and the like-thinking they live way too high on the hog because they get benefits, a living wage, and expect to be able to go on vacation when they don't think the wealthiest 1% of this country ("job creators") should have to pay the same taxes. Quit whining because your ass is broke and you want to vote the rest of us into your pitiful standard of living pretending that you too will one day strike it rich if you just do everything you can like a good little serf and protect the people who do crap like sell out the pensions of these public servants for the sake of a seven figure bonus.
Jul 9, 2012
I don't think you can compare your wage to another persons in a different situation. You have to look at the cost of living in the area, commute information, tons of other variables. These weren't people who were going out and buying porches, the average firefighter earned $15-$17 per hour (a fair wage for risking their lives on a daily basis and rather low on a national level). Now if they were all making $150,000 and they lived in homes with gold plated toilet seats I would definitely agree that they are whining. There is a big difference between realizing you are making minimum wage and living off it and making it work and thinking you will receive the money you balance your own budget with and then simply not receiving that money.
Jul 9, 2012
They also get alot of benefits that people working for minimum wage private sector jobs don't get. This guy might not be able to go on vacation, but at least he can take his kids to the doctor if they get sick unlike me, or get paid holidays off while I work in a casino which is 365 and I cann't even request vacation Nov 1-Feb16! Yes I know I chose a different "career" but in this economy after being unemployed for 1 year straight, I took what I could get!
Jul 9, 2012
Scranton Should just file for Bankruptcy PROBLEM SOLVED.
Jul 9, 2012
Obviously the city, like the federal government, needs to cut spending. Way past time for some tough decision making.
Jul 9, 2012
Obviously the city, like the federal government, needs to cut spending. Way past time for some tough decision making.
Jul 9, 2012
if you make 15-20 $ an hour and live pay check to paycheck.. you got bigger issues…
Jul 9, 2012
honest I say be damn glad he cut his own pay and spread what little there was as far as he could.. he HAD to pay at least 7.25 but if I read it right that still left 400 people with NO pay.. how you gonna cry about a missed vacation… omg. they are wild in PA huh?
Jul 9, 2012
ALL PUBLIC WORKERS INCLUDING TEACHERS ARE WAY OVER PAID.
Jul 9, 2012
I understand they're pissed but at least they have a job and a paycheck. Hell their city could have just laid them off and then what? Would I be mad YES but then I would think about what could have happened and still be thankful to have a paycheck and a job.
Jul 9, 2012
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Jul 9, 2012
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Jul 9, 2012
Man look!!! Someone would get the hell slapped out of them
Jul 9, 2012
Man look!!! Someone would get the hell slapped out of them
Jul 9, 2012
The government big enough to give it away is big enough to take it away.
Jul 9, 2012
The government big enough to give it away is big enough to take it away.
Jul 9, 2012
If they would just fire about half the city workers & bust the Unions they wouldn't have that problem.
Jul 9, 2012
If they would just fire about half the city workers & bust the Unions they wouldn't have that problem.
Jul 9, 2012
I was making 18 when I got laid off and now my unemployment has been cut and I make 316 a week living in California with a child to feed and I make to much money to get any help. I would love for my child to have something more than just a roof over her head and having to walk everywhere because we can't afford a bus pass. Can't have a vacation, I am so sorry for you. I have empathy for those who have lost everything because they lost their job. Good honest hard working people who through no fault of their own are now in the food lines. I am sorry, I cannot feel sorry for those who still have jobs and yes, they may struggle and I empathize with that, but feel sorry for someone who cannot go on vacation, no empathy from me.
Jul 9, 2012
Get used to it folks that's what in our future at the federal level, except China will be collecting the bill.
Jul 9, 2012
john barone…. what an ass!!!
Jul 9, 2012
I live in this area. It is soooo beyond corrupt it's ridiculous…..
Jul 9, 2012
You stupid little brat, Police and Firefighters putting their life on the line to protect you and your property, deserve more then you make flipping burgers or selling shoes at the local mall, since I can assume that is all you can do given your limited mental prowess.
Jul 9, 2012
James Johnson …i went to college, got my degree as a Paramedic…so yes I can say what I said. I live in Florida, a very expensive state. And can't get a job as a medic, so I had to get another. I don't make what i should make if I were a medic, but I live on less that… what they are bitching about. Plus my husband is going to be in a operation on the 20th of this month and I'm paying for all the household and health care I can with what I have(and he is missing on medication now). Even Medicaid has chipped in $14.00 in food stamps(oh a huge help) and they are bitching about summer programs and vacations with their families…look in my fridge and see if I have food to last til I get paid again…I can assure there isn't. James, your title on here says Editor at Inquisitr.com…as an editor I would have thought threw and did some research before spouting off at the mouth like you just did. Oh did I just let something slip by me?…ummm no I didn't…you as a "editor" probably more money than me too so do try and belittle me…come live in poverty where only the strongest survive and lets see how fast you will call for your mama for help. Fucking asshole.
Jul 9, 2012
I see so much vehemence and some jealousy in some of these comments. First I don't work for the government, I am a tax payer. But these people negotiated their pay with the government in good faith. If you want to be angry, be angry at the politicians who gave away the baby in the bath water to the unoins, these piss poor stewards of the peoples money, deserve your anger and resentment. But to recieve your check and see it cut by 75% or better after you put in a week of work is outrageous. And for you who are saying be thankful you have a job, BULL! You would lose your mind if that happened to you. And no one here would pass up the wages and benefits that they recieve if offered to you. And don't lie and say you would.
Jul 9, 2012
I see so much vehemence and some jealousy in some of these comments. First I don't work for the government, I am a tax payer. But these people negotiated their pay with the government in good faith. If you want to be angry, be angry at the politicians who gave away the baby in the bath water to the unoins, these piss poor stewards of the peoples money, deserve your anger and resentment. But to recieve your check and see it cut by 75% or better after you put in a week of work is outrageous. And for you who are saying be thankful you have a job, BULL! You would lose your mind if that happened to you. And no one here would pass up the wages and benefits that they recieve if offered to you. And don't lie and say you would.
Jul 9, 2012
This is very sad. I do agree that he should have informed the employees about the financial issues before cutting their pay, but I don't agree with the employees taking him to court. Things are difficult financially for everyone and for that one gentleman to complain about not going on vacation is despicable. Your state is broke! Who cares if you can't go on vacation! Do a staycation and keep your finances in state!
Jul 9, 2012
LOL your all crazy if you think the police and firefighters don't deserve the money they get. They risk there lives for us UNREAL how you people don't appreaciate this This isn't a 7 eleven job or selling coffee by the way make more then minumim wage.
Jul 9, 2012
Well… maybe they would have preferred getting a $0.00 check! Their other option might have been to get full check and then have them bounce!
Jul 9, 2012
what a douchbag…how about that police man telling you to fend for yourself instead of helping your sorry azz….or maybe that firefighter telling you…tough luck…piss on your houise fire to put it out…
Jul 9, 2012
theres 49 other states you can move to…get in the car and look…bet if your welfare check was cut in half…you'd be bitchen to…
Jul 9, 2012
How about getting the police when you really need them! Instead of highway patrol!?! When I had kids spray painting on my building and I was on hold for 45 min, yet when I was driving from California to Las Vegas in the middle of the desert on a weekday at 8pm with no traffic I get pulled over. You do realize that cops on motorcycles can't actually arrest anyone and are no use in reprimanding a criminal, but they are mostly used for highway patrol and if they get the call can be backup. And have you heard the story of the fire fighters that let a house burn down right in front of them b/c the homeowner didn't pay a monthly fee? Yes, there are fire fighters and police that are honestly there to help people and don't care about the politics and don't take advantage of the system. But that doesn't mean that they all do and that the system isn't broken. and the cut back went from police/fire fighters to office employees to the mayor himself!
Jul 9, 2012
That is what happens when Unions take over the work force!
Jul 9, 2012
or not get a check at all. My husband worked for a company who went bankrupt..laid off most of the pressman, except for him and another guy, promising them the moon. The other workers got unemployment, matt worked another pay period, expecting to actually get paid to do so. Then, nothing. Filed with bankruptcy court to get his wages, but the court ruled in favor of the bank that the company owed over the mens' wages. The owner of the company walked away from his debts, turned around and opened another business. Only in America. Now he watches for the signs of a company in trouble. Fooled us once, shame on you. Not to be fooled again :~(
Jul 9, 2012
yeah, he opened his check and saw $600 and thought his kids might have to cut back on summer activiites, ehrm $600 is all I get after taxes as a master's level mental health therapist, sooo, i guess I shouldn't of gone to grad school and just become a firefighter. What the heck???
Jul 9, 2012
Crystal Avila Why don't you tell the firefighters that when your house is burning down!?! I happen to be in the same boat as you…barely scraping by. However I do not think that that is right and I do not wish that on the people that are supposed to be serving and protecting us!! There is already enough police corruption as it is, how bad do you think it will get if they are making next to nothing??? Also, a sudden pay cut can cause families to lose their homes. As for the firefighter's vacation, who knows how hard he was working, or how long he had to save up for it!! I'm sure the hardest part for him will be having to disappoint his children!!
I have a question for you…Do you think it would be ok to cut what we pay our soldiers down to minimum wage??? When you know how much to expect on your check you can plan according to that…if your employer decides to cut you pay by more than half, that just might put you out on your ass!! You do not know these people, how much in debt they are, how much their rent/mortgage is or how many children they have!! It's this little thing called empathy, I haven't lost mine in these hard times and it's a shame that yours went missing somewhere along the line!
Jul 9, 2012
Which is exactly how overpaid, underworked Scranton police are behaving- nevermind their cadillac benefits packages, they think they deserve 5X what other Scranton workers make, IF they're even able to find a job in this economy at all.
Demanding high pay and massive benefits while 20% of Scranton is unemployed, another 20% underemployed and the rest scraping by while the city constantly raises taxes and decreases services?
Not to mention ignoring the fact that the city is flat broke and you can't squeeze blood from a stone?
THAT is having no empathy… and no common sense.
Jul 9, 2012
Crystal, I've got a suggestion, move to another state that isn't a "right to work" state (right to starve is more like it) and yet y'all keep voting for Republicans. You do notice that Pennsylvania is run by Republicans now, too. It's their standard move, divide the regular people, make them grasp at pennies and steal you blind. How else could people like Romney have $100 million dollars in an IRA and millions more in off-shore accounts? You are going to be screwed in a Republican state if you are a working person.
Jul 9, 2012
You can't unilaterally cut someone's pay. It's illegal in the private sector, too.
Jul 9, 2012
Lay off workers if you can't afford to pay them. Having unions is one thing that has made America great, the fact that there are fewer unions is one reason we have the problems we have…
Jul 9, 2012
OK, so I agree that the vacation comment was out of order, but seriously, it's not like these folks were started on minimum wage, given huge raises, then reduced. You make a certain salary and you budget your life's expenses around it. Who the heck can feed a family on minimum wage? Also, firefighters and cops put their lives on the line for us when we need them, so if they are getting paid 15-20/hr then they are drastically underpaid in the first place.
Jul 9, 2012
No, this is what happens when the unions have been beaten down to nothing.
Jul 9, 2012
I agree, he should have discussed this before taking action. He had to have known long before this that the finances were hurting. But I also believe that the people should be more understanding. At least they got some form of pay, whereas people who work for failing businesses have gone many weeks without pay.
Jul 9, 2012
The unions are the reason we can't afford to produce affordable and reliable products in this country.
Jul 9, 2012
Is that what your union leaders tell you? They must use an esoteric logic that can only be understood by those who pay union dues.
Jul 9, 2012
you know they probably wouldn't have minded taken the pay cut, but a warning would have been nice, and he wasn't bitching about not going on vacation or his kids doing their summer activites he was stating a fact he was not whinning about it.
Jul 9, 2012
Says the Harvard attendee, living in Hawaii.. Yeah, like you know..
Jul 9, 2012
Deborah Hoff With all do respect, if you were running into fire filled buildings with no worry for your own safety you would probably be angry if you were making less than the local kid working at McDonald's who flips burgers. I feel for you in your situation (I truly mean that, I think mental health workers are underpaid as it is), but the firefighter deserves his $15-$20 per hour based on what he does for a living.
@Lauren, I have a friend who worked in a dispatch center, did you know its considered one of the most stressful jobs in America? The reason you get put on hold for a spray painting incident is because many workers are on double shifts to make up for budget issues and they take multiple calls then prioritize, so a car accident, shooting, domestic violence case gets answered before a non-violent crime.
Jul 9, 2012
You should really do your research of unions and what they cost the company. Amazing that people like you continue to sprout lies about the workers who belong to an union. Union workers are more productive and the safest. Everyone who works enjoy the benefits of workers rights which have been gain by the union. Remember this the company doesn't just give benefits out of the goodness of their heart.
Jul 9, 2012
People the suggestion here is to follow the programm that iceland has put in action. Google iceland. together you are the change that's waiting to happen
Jul 9, 2012
How do they know what my issue is? I was on hold before ever talking to someone.
Jul 9, 2012
Yeah that is an issue, but not a problem with lazy operators, its a problem with understaffing because of rapid cuts. Every single 911 call is recorded and independent panels make sure those workers are constantly taking calls, sometimes over double, even triple shifts.
Jul 9, 2012
I can agree with that. But going back to my post before, I was more or less talking about the fact that we pay cops to sit on a motorcycle in the middle of no where waiting to issue a speeding ticket when obviously motorcycle cops are meant for that and not really intended for real crime fighting. If we didn't spend money on highway patrol and had more cops readily available on the streets there might be less victim crime. I live in Las Vegas and started noticing that whenever there was a cop pulling over a person there would always be 2-4 cars and I though it was silly that we needed 4-8 cops for one pull over. Then I found out that cops in my area only ride one to a car. So we are paying for extra cars yet they have to wait for back up for real issues. Seems counter productive for crime fighting and more productive for ticket issuing. Yet when I had vandalizers that were destroying my building and harassing/threatening my employees and customers that told them to stop, I could not get any help. But again, I understand that the back up in the control panel helped elongate the wait.
Jul 9, 2012
To Sheena & Lauren stop hating on the working man/woman who may get better benefits and wages then you. Hate on the wealthy and corript politicians that give tax breaks to the wealthy and hate on the wealthy who don't pay their fair share of taxes and don't help develop jobs. I almost forgot the CEO's of major corporations who make over 100x , the average working working man/woman's salary !!!!!
Jul 9, 2012
Thumbs up to yoy Pamela , you are so right !!!!! I feel for these civil workers they have important jobs and help people in thier time of need, especially firefighters and policeman.
Jul 9, 2012
The mayor should have cut his pay to minimum wage not just a portion of his pay.
Jul 9, 2012
Mark Hayden — you are right Union helped make America Great !!!!!
Jul 9, 2012
Mark Hayden — you are right Union helped make America Great !!!!!
Jul 9, 2012
Thought it said he did? my bad… seems to me this guy was stuck with a real hard decision.. glad I didn't have to make this call.
Jul 9, 2012
This was a case of .. This is what I have to pay my people with… am I going to spread it thick as usual and pay 100 people or spread it thin and pay 1500 people? Better partial pay then non.. and who knows.. they may still get that balance when things shift…
Jul 9, 2012
Rick – Please understand that I am not "hating" on these people other than the fact that one person whined about not being able to go on vacation. I work at a non-profit charity and have not had a vacation in over 3 years other than taking time out (unpaid) to go to my fathers funeral. I totally agree with you, but the last thing we need is our peers getting an entitlement mentality when there are still people a lot worse off then them. I was a food server in Atlanta for 7 years when I was younger and they only make $2.13 per hour plus tips, but if its slow, they don't get a rate increase to make sure they make minimum wage. I worked plenty of times making below $5 an hour! And that does not include the mental/physical anguish of being in the service industry plus no paid time off or benefits or even holidays off since I worked at a 365 diner. But in the article, it said that even the mayor took a major pay cut. They all need to buckle down and do what they can for a bit to ensure everyone's continue employment. I have had more than once where I got up and went to work and the restaurant was closed. That sucks alot more than a (hopefully) temporary pay decrease to get through rough times. It would have been a different situation if the mayor and counsel members took a bonus and went on a retreat, but it seems that they did the best they could do in a difficult situation and tried to get everyone a little money instead of the first people to cash checks gets lucky and the other get bounced, which I have gone through as well.
Jul 9, 2012
not disagreeing with you.. my ex husband hauled trash for the county for over 10 years. Great job great pay top notch benefits, but also afforded for abuses that was not even funny…
if you make better then 10$ an hour you should be able to live in your means in most states… [I'm from Hawaii so scew that at any pay rate now days] all I'm saysing is I hate it when people whine and cray about a pay cut… I had to leave my job 2 years ago for a family emergency, have not found steady work since.. and Nevada is a hard place to get unemployment especially if your boss lies about why and how you left. try going from any pay to NO pay. these people can buy food and probly make rent… can you imagine where I am typing from?
Jul 9, 2012
I have been unemployed and underpaqid at times in my life. I like my job just sometimes the hours and co-workers get on my nerves, but other then that they pay a decent wage and great benefits. I ma saying is what we need in this country is the middle-class and poor to go down to Washington, DC — 20 million strong and bang on the Capitol Hill door and let them know how we feel on the issues !!!!
Jul 9, 2012
lol I worked grave shift in a store next to a bar and would call when I seen people literally crawling out of the bar and trying to get in their cars to drive home and would regularly get hung up on.. I was on line with a lady one night and a guy came out [drunk too] to help a lady to her car and I told my gaurd "That fking idiot is gonna get her killed" operator hung up.. haha so much for public safety in Las Vegas
Jul 9, 2012
I hear you .. if my 8 bucks went to 4 I really would be truely in trouble…
Jul 9, 2012
I don't think anyone REALLY thinks they don't deserve it… I think the issue is… Who is gonna get paid and how much… There was almost no money .. and legaly he was not able to pay any worker less then 7.25.. fed min. and so he paid people that amount until it was gone.. these people are pissed but EVERYONE bitching is missing one key part in this…. there are 400 people who got paid NOTHING. THAT sux. They made sure the police and firefighters got at least something…. mean while the court clerk and CPS workers got nothing… my empathy is with THEM.
Jul 9, 2012
BTW.. you be surprised how dangerous working grave in a convenience store really is… I have done it for years. I have much respect for both firefighters and cops… but just thought you might wanna think on that other for a second.
Jul 9, 2012
Mark — Unions are not the problem is most cases — sometimes we are — how about corrupt government and not making the wealthy pay their share !!!!
Jul 9, 2012
Gordon Bennett, you have a choice when shopping, you don't get a choice with taxes. Unless you want the Feds after you.
Jul 9, 2012
Paul Mitchell- While I have great respect for what firefighters and police officers do. The city is broke and their union is demanding pay increases? Let's get realistic here.
Jul 9, 2012
then maybe he should have paid no one and kept his pay as before… really what solution do YOU see.. there was not enough fish and loafs to go around.. sorry but this is not surmon on the mound and the mayor is not jesus…
Jul 9, 2012
Hawaii's cost of living is second only to NY… ya don't wanna go there.
Jul 9, 2012
Gordon, I live in Scranton. This mayor vowed to work for $7.25 an hour also, and he is NOT. His pay dropped to a "fraction" of its "original" amount, and he is not leading by example; he is the reason this city is in dire straits financially because of his misuse of city funds. And we pay high taxes as it is.
Jul 9, 2012
Paula, I live in this city. The reason this city is broke is because of the mayor.
Jul 10, 2012
If you make 15-20/hr and live in california, you are lucky if you are living paycheck to paycheck, and you sure wouldn't be doing it if you were living in a major city. That's not a living wage out here if you are the sole provider.
Jul 10, 2012
@sheena….imagine had you been in a Union….had you concidered going to school….maybe become a Teacher
Jul 10, 2012
That's what I am implying, madam. He's shelling out how much and has shelled out how much to attend that particular college? Trust fund or scholarship by the sounds of it. I highly doubt he's a public worker, and therefore shouldn't have a damn thing to say about how much they're paid for their labors.
Jul 10, 2012
Its too bad we have a bunch of Chicago thugs in the White House, shit rolls down hill. I just spent 2 weeks in Italy. They pay approximately 70% of their wages in taxes and its still not enough. Liberals are really really good at spending other peoples money and not paying their own taxes.
Jul 12, 2012
Rick I'm not hating on anyone. I'm just saying.. could have been worse.. quite bitching and make due for now. There are plenty of people who get by on less for longer.
Jul 12, 2012
Mark Hayden there was a time when unions were very much the reason that people did better, it was about making sure working people got paid and fairly that they had a voice when things where wrong, now it's about greed and power and corruption just like the companies and governments.
Unions have now 'negotiated' pay raises to the point that many many jobs are out sourced to other countries… our countries is to high brow to work for a living then China and Mexico WILL.
The cost of living has not gone up the last 2 years, not notable anyway… so why are unions STILL demanding raises? To bully, that's why.
Jul 12, 2012
Yes Mark the unions did well to bring labor laws about and make living situations better, but then they got greedy and now they go around like big wealthy bullies and demand more and more and then stomp and threaten to shut down your company 'or city' if you do not give them what they want.
The cost of living has been at a stand still … and many things cost much less now then 5 years ago.. so why are unions still demanding pay increases? Greed, the more people get paid the more the can demand of the employee in 'Dues'. and if them dues ain't paid.. they are not so friendly or happy.
Jul 12, 2012
thank you Tom your very kind and yes.. I began classes at the University of Hawaii in Kona Years ago. A full time job a part time job 5 kids and 2 classes, but when I did my husband [then not now] made it clear if I could waste money on 'books and crap' I didn't need his money for rent or food. So I left after 3 semesters. I picked up again a few years ago taking online classes with Devry, but personal situations found me homeless and with out means to log into classes… so I stopped. Now I have over 20K in student loans and no job. lol wow that sounds so bad. I got everything straight and moved to a new state and new apartment and things were good till a family emergency had be leaving for GA.. with jobs as they are I found no real work…moved back to were I had been before my mom needed me and am now helping my son. I am the live in nanny/gramma
it's not the perfect life but ya no.. I got a place to sleep and I get food and all the free internet I want, most of the time.
my life is rich just not in the ways most think are important.
Do I want to finish school… oh yes very much so, but my loans now delinquent, I don't even think it will be possible. Thats sad for me because I struggled so hard, worked so much and put up with so much to get the classes I have now… and ya know… maybe I should have thought of teaching… I may never have made more then $ an hour in my life but I raised my 4 kids plus a few throw-aways and did damn fine if you ask them
wow TMI but sending.. thank you and you know.. if I do manage to get it worked out… teaching is a GREAT idea.
Jul 12, 2012
Correction: "I may never have made more then 8$ an hour in my life but I raised my 4 kids plus a few throw-aways…"
Jul 12, 2012
Unions have made great stirides in makeing america great but I think they got too greedy! Demanding more regardless of circumstances preventing employers from firing incompetent workers etc. We need Unions to protect workers but at what expense? Sometime they negotiate us right out of our jobs! There needs to be compromise. Also, I understand why the mayor did what he did but he at least should have at least warned them about it.
Jul 12, 2012
Tom Fischer well seems my reply to you got the bot boot..Thank you for your kindness… anyway yes, I have thought about college. I have taken classes at great personal expense, but degree incomplete and now delinquent in student loans I don't see how I will finish. I must say I never thought of teaching though. But with all the kids I have raised or had a hand in raising… I should have.
all are grown working and raising families and none on drugs or been to jail.. knock wood. ♥
I took human service courses while still married and in Hawaii, husband stopped paying rent and food cause I was 'wasting money on books'. So after 3 semesters I stopped. [that was hard though a full time job a part time job and my 4 kids plus another child who needed a home.]
I started back up with online classes, and don't you know, I ended up homeless, [not my doing]
so had to stop again.. but this time I had used loans so I am now screwed.
I actually live with my son and his family, I take care of the kids so the parents can work.
Pay is nothing but I get everything else I need.
I never made more then 8$ an hour and yet managed to raise my 4 plus a few throw away kids, and did damn good I'd say…
Do I WANT to finish school.. yes very much so, just not sure how at the moment. Maybe when I can get back working I can take one or two classes at a time like I did at UH – West.
Jul 16, 2012
Do some research- the unions have not recieved a raise in 10 years- that is why they sued and won. The the mayor blew 10 million on lawyers fees constantly appealing that decision- those raises would have been a fraction of that cost. He then tried to use the unions as scapegoats for Scranton's problems. Dougherty is not hurting he lives in a mansion in the richest section of Scranton.
Jul 16, 2012
Do some research- the unions have not recieved a raise in 10 years- that is why they sued and won. The the mayor blew 10 million on lawyers fees constantly appealing that decision- those raises would have been a fraction of that cost. He then tried to use the unions as scapegoats for Scranton's problems. Dougherty is not hurting he lives in a mansion in the richest section of Scranton.