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Lac-Mégantic wreck forces layoffs at MM&A
To be sure it would only be symbolic, but it would be a nice gesture if the intrepid Mr. Burkhardt would forgo his usual compensation during this trying time, say until the line is reopened and people hired back.
Of course the little guys suffer; we wouldn’t want Eddie-boy to loose any income, would we. I hope there is a special place in hell for him and all like him.
Yes, because it’s all about MONEY, isn’t it…how much more tone deaf can Burkhardt be? Jeez…can’t even suck up and take the financial hit for a few weeks?
Apparently there is an over-abundance of railfans unable to grasp the concept of how the private sector operates. I assume this is the end result of a public school education, mommy and daddy not teaching them about responsibility and work, working for a union, and dare I say it? Working in the public sector.
Here’s a clue: In the private sector, the employer is not a welfare provider, despite common opinion by the slacker generation. The employer hires an employee to do a task. When the task is complete, the employee gets moved to the next task or is let go if there is no next task. In the instance of the MM&A, there is no next task because the railroad has to shut down. The only main line track is blocked and will be so for some time. It is not the responsibility of the employer to pay employees for performing a task which no longer exists.
Odds are, when the ambulance chasing lawyers get finished, the MM&A will cease to exist and Ed Burkhardt will be bankrupt. At that point, many railfans will be very happy and feeling very good about themselves because they got to watch somebody really stick it to a “rich man.”
Or to put it another way. I believe every railfan who believes the railroad should provide welfare for the employees should be required to take in a homeless person for a year, at the railfan’s own expense. Kind of puts things into perspective very fast. Doesn’t it?
One more thing. Ever hear of unemployment? Employers pay into unemployment for times such as these. Of course the bleeding heart progressives conveniently forget about that, just to stick it to the “rich man.”
Jeff you are absolutely right. Many think the purpose of a private sector company is to offer jobs and medical insurance.
Yet, a profitable company is a function of good employee moral and loyalty. Layoffs this quick foster neither. MM&A should make some effort to keep as many jobs intact as possible for a pay period or two.
You’d think the savings of one man crews would allow MM&A to keep everyone employeed for some duration through this tragedy.
One day, the RR lauds the engineer as a “hero” and the next day, they pin the whole thing on him. From what I hear, he was an excellent employee, safety minded and prudent. Now, he gets thrown under the train, so to say, and the CEO cuts other line and staff workers. How does he stay above all of this and allow others- workers and victims- to suffer?
Victims:
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Victims:
Charity Search Engine - isearchigive.com - Canadians can use
Charity Search Engine - goodsearch.com - Americans can use
Charity Search Engine - everyclick.com - UK can use
Victims:
Charity Search Engine - isearchigive.com - Canadians can use
Charity Search Engine - goodsearch.com - Americans can use
Charity Search Engine - everyclick.com - UK can use
Victims:
Charity Search Engine - isearchigive.com - Canadians can use
Charity Search Engine - goodsearch.com - Americans can use
Charity Search Engine - everyclick.com - UK can use
What nonsensical comments.
Mel & Mo or whoever he or she has:
Not kept on-topic.
Not been respectful.
Used offensive language.
Used personal attacks against Jeff and me
And posted an irrelevant comment.
Yet no deletion.
Claes Jonasson: I agree with you 1,000% about Mr. Burkhardt should do the right thing and refuse his pay. But, he should help out his employees with food and health insurance. But as for Gussie, I guess that you were born with a heart three sizes too small. It also appears that you do not do to others as you would have them do to you!
Jim Norton you are so right. Who (or what) ever Mel and Mo Miller are or was should be banned from the site. Their comments are totally worthless.
Notice where Mel and Mo claim to be from.
The Canadian Government is now investigating this tragedy. Based on its report on a major accident in February,1986 CN freight-VIA collision), I am sure that the final report will be objective, exhaustive, and conclusive. (The Hinton report, issued in December, 1986, is 205 pages and initiated major changes in safety and design of locomotive cabs.) Until a final report, comments on hydrocarbon chemistry, MMA’s administration and personnel, and subjective opinions regarding pipelines and ‘fracking’ are speculative and often end in acerbic recriminations. Should we therefore not pause, to remember those who tragically died?
Does anyone know if the engineer/conductor accused of causing the wreck at Lac–Magantic, is still being held in jail? Anyone know why the dispatcher on duty at the time didn’t call someone from the MECHANICAL dept to restart the burned loco, or any other loco in the consist? Just wondering. Seems to me that dispatcher should be the one detained.