Reply #7: I think I love you [View All]

[skygazer]

:loveya:

A few years back, we were considering a strike, mostly because of the issue of health care. We didn't want a raise, we didn't want any change in our contract, we just wanted to retain our health benefits.

A customer very snippily told me one day that SHE had a degree and was a teacher and I made nearly as much as she did and she didn't think that was right and we had no reason to complain and should accept what we were given and be thankful for it.

I explained to her that we were compensated for the wear and tear that our job puts on our bodies. I work 40 hours a week. Every day I work, I lift at least 60 or 70 cases of wine, usually much more than that - 100 or more. Each weighs anywhere from 40 to 60 pounds. I lift, stack and move them, I kneel, I bend, I stretch, I carry. I have arthritis in my hands, my back and my knee, I have carpal tunnel in both wrists. I had surgery on my neck last year. There's not a person in this industry who doesn't have pretty substantial wear and tear injuries. THAT'S why I get paid what I do - by the time I retire, I'm going to be a cripple.

She shut up.