On Strike

CP Rail is on strike. 
Thousands of running trades employees are fighting a serious fight that will affect them and their families for years to come. 
I've read the newspapers. I've watched the news. I can see the twitter feed. I have read the comments. I hear the buzz about it.
It's disheartening to hear what people are saying.

Get back to work, don't you care how many people you are affecting. 

What are you complaining about? We all know you make $130,000/year and get at least 6 weeks paid vacation. 

Your job is so easy.

Your pension will be based on more than almost anyone else makes anyways, so stop whining and get back to work. 

First of all, check your facts people. I just got our income tax return back and nowhere on there does it say anything even close to $130,000. For the record. And also, 3 weeks vacation right here.


Second and more importantly, I think the whole world would be remiss in thinking that the thousands of CP employees that are on strike right now, don't care about all the people they are affecting. They know, they care, they worry and lose sleep over this whole thing, but they have to do this. They HAVE to stand up for what is right and fair. If they don't, then what?

This job, Brians job, is not easy. It's not for everyone. And let me assure you, the perks are limited. In fact, off the top of my head, I can't think of even one perk. Maybe some think a solid pension at the end of 35 years on the road is a perk. I happen to think that after 35 years of working in these conditions, the all nighters AND all day-ers in one trip, the no weekends or holidays off, the missing important events because you can't get even one day off, the unpaid time in an away from home terminal, the being on call 24/7, that a solid pension at the end is a right. Oh, and plus, they pay for it. Literally and figuratively.

These employees are not asking for a raise, for more time off. Hell, they aren't even asking for better working conditions. They are asking for the company to leave their pension alone. Asking for them to NOT cut it by 40%, to see that they work hard for a very long time and that they deserve it.
CP Rail has a long standing history of having an enviable pension plan. One that made people want to work for them for just that reason. Yes, it would be 35 long years, yes, it would a difficult lifestyle, but look! At the end, I would be able to live! Comfortably!
Take this away? I dare say they take the only reason to work for them away.
I don't know anyone who works for CP Rail because they get to wear cute overalls. (p.s. Those cute CP overalls are totally a thing of the past)

I watched a live news feed from the House of Commons today that had every minister of every industry in Canada explain why they thought the government should intervene and mandate the employees back to work. Each one went on to say how many billions of dollars the railroad moves every year and how many millions of tonnes of cargo and resources are moved. How many people in this country are directly and indirectly affected by how the railroad operates. It was everyones argument as to why the employees NEED to go back to work. As I listened, I had to wonder why the Company doesn't see that those are the EXACT reasons they (the company) should appreciate the employees and want to do more (or at least something) for them (the employees). Why don't the see the employees as a valuable asset that they should take care of? Why don't they want to be the stand up company that they used to be? Why do they make millions of dollars in profits yet somehow justify cutting pensions by 40%?

Brian might have been a twenty year old kid that hired on because he saw the dollar signs and thought well where else can I work in this town with a high school education? But now? Now he works there so he can provide for his family and have a hope of one day retiring and getting two solid nights of sleep in a row.

Adventure 2012 Home

I love vacations, everything about them...staying in hotels, finding new hole-in-the-wall restaurants with great food, meeting new people, the excitement and adventure. I love it. You know what else I love? Coming home from vacation.
We made it home last night after two long last days.
We were all happy to walk in the door and have some space.
My family are all fantastic traveling companions. My kids are great in the car - Jace sleeps and Maizey tries to touch him. She takes his blankets and his toys and says she is going to poke his eye. When he doesn't wake up or act bothered by it, she forgets about him and sits nicely. She sings and reads and talks our ears off. Brian and I mesh well on the road together. He highway drives, I navigate the cities. We are both expert map readers. We make stops when we need to and are happy to not stop at all too. When we can't get the radio to work, we ride in quiet. We put in close to 1400 miles last week and I can say that there were (almost) no fights. (*almost* because he seriously needs to RELAX when crossing the border. Seriously) (I drove on the way back across the border. For the record.)
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights at bedtime, Maizey lay sobbing in her bed that she wanted to go home and sleep in her own bed. On Thursday morning when we said we would finally be sleeping in our own beds that night, she sobbed that she wanted to go back to the water park.
We found a Target and I was not disappointed. There are a lot of things to buy in a Target that are only $1 - thats my kind of store!
We have suitcases to unpack and mountains of stuff to still put away - but our new bbq is put together... and has already cooked dinner for us once in its less than 24 hour life... it's all about priorities people!
McGiven Family vacation comes to a close for 2012... it was fun and exciting and not even a little bit relaxing and we came home far more exhausted than when we left, but hey... thats what vacation with kids is about right?


 

Adventure 2012 Part 2

The McGiven Family adventure 2012 continues....













After an amazingly beautiful, fun, relaxed and perfectly perfect wedding, we left Vancouver Island headed for Seattle.





When my friend Sheila announced the date for her wedding, we planned our entire vacation for the year around it. I had to miss one of my best friend's in the entire worlds wedding last year and I was bound to not let it happen again.






 
Sheila pulled off a wedding that was, in a word, flawless. Seriously, a picturesque farm, historic buildings, a bridesmaid singing as Sheila and her dad walked down the isle, well-said speeches and a party to be envied. She, a radiant and happy bride, him a proud groom. Thank you for having us Sheila and Jeff, we are lucky to have friends like you in our life and wish you a life time of happiness.


(photo courtesy of Sheilas facebook - thanks Sheila!) 


Well, would you look at that? Hes got the legs down, just needs to get the arms coordinated and he'll be off!

Seattle delivered, like it has every other time. Okay, I've only been one other time but it was awesome then and it is awesome still.





Besides the rain *which, duh, it's Seattle* I could not stop smiling. I love that city.



The Space Needle out the window of our hotel, Pike Place Market breakfast over looking the ocean, fresh flowers and a little fish throwing,







 Starbucks, Nordstrom Rack and super expensive jeans for super cheap (ok, maybe not super cheap, the word would be reasonable.), micro-brew beer with lunch *obviously*,







hilly streets and buskers... the city is endless.









 I could have stayed for days, but alas, we had even greater plans.

We are now holed up in what can only be described as indoor heaven for kids. The Great Wolf Lodge.
Not too shabby.
 After a week of late nights, this one will be early... a giant indoor water park sure wears a kid (and adults) out.
Next stop; Target - lofty, I know. I need to see what the fuss is all about.