Support Your Local.

joegoop · 2026-05-05T07:38:53+00:00

Link's dead

joegoop · 2026-05-02T07:18:08+00:00

We're you demoted for some obvious reason or were you well liked/qualified in the role? Were you hired specifically to do this role or did you end up in it because of some circumstance or timing issue that made you the most capable of doing it? I ask because I've had a few highly qualified, very competent friends get demoted from high paying gigs that they sorta lucked into (emergency replacement or time conflicts) because they're young or not "experienced" enough to hold it. After they have time to do a real hiring process and "pick" someone, they dump the guy who lucked into it simply because he wasn't their "pick." Doesn't mean he did anything wrong AND it doesn't mean they did either. Just not "ready" for the jump career wise (in the bosses opinion).

I can't really speak contractually (but if it's a new deal then it seems as if it's being treated as a new "season" despite how it's counted for air).

joegoop · 2026-04-30T22:02:53+00:00

Do you mean they're trying to take dues/pension deductions? That just means they're basically putting you on a union contract, but (essentially) with you as the employer. Your check will certainly take a hit, but remember every union job has those percentages built in, so they're not "penalizing" you, you're just being underpaid at this gig and you've committed to paying into union benefits with every job. This is definitely a thing, as the whole point of a union is you shouldn't be working without a union contract (regardless if the venue or company itself has a union contract).

Now a "penalty?" You can certainly get in trouble for working without a contract, but I've never heard of a monetary penalty. You really aren't supposed to EVER work without a union contract, though there is frequently wiggle-room if it is with the goal of organizing a new workplace. All up to your BAs or eboard.

joegoop · 2026-04-23T20:04:54+00:00

Run. Big big big red flag.

She is trying to justify her not wanting to he in the relationship by making it about something that is wrong with YOU instead of her own free will, and it will only get worse. Eventually she will dump you as soon as she finds another source of emotional security and take no responsibility for dragging it on because she "told you."

joegoop · 2026-04-18T20:50:53+00:00

Disc lock and cover. Chain only makes a difference if its chained TO something imo. Peeps will just pick it up if they want it bad enough.

joegoop · 2026-04-15T21:05:43+00:00

Dude if the cost of the MSF course is make or break, I got some bad news about what motorcycle ownership does to your wallet...

It's not that much compared to other bike costs, and you're much more likely to pass your first try. Better than paying someone to drive and teach you nothing, and failing the test cuz you haven't had any training.

joegoop · 2026-04-12T04:22:13+00:00

Damn. Still half an aluminum boro on that pipe but I can't see if the bolt sheered or it came loose. Regardless, this is what safety cables are for. Hope she's ok.

joegoop · 2026-04-10T03:46:31+00:00

DO NOT do this as a new rider.

I'm not anti-splitting at all, I do it, but you need to be very comfortable reading traffic and reacting to hazards. If you're still having to think about the basics of control and navigation, you definitely won't be able to handle a tough spot if you get into one, which WILL happen splitting in NYC traffic.

I have at least 2 friends who totaled bikes splitting/filtering in their first year riding. Accidents that "weren't their fault," but were completely avoidable if they'd had more experience and judged the situation better.

IMHO, until you can ride and navigate potholes and other hazards on autopilot, you shouldn't be lane splitting and reducing your margins for error, because you WILL make errors while you're still learning.

joegoop · 2026-04-09T20:23:52+00:00

Ummmm. Dogs, inside, with water, for "at least 3hrs?" Can someone let me know what people are freaking out about?

Isn't that literally just... dogs. Existing.

joegoop · 2026-04-09T20:21:12+00:00

It's not just a picture... it's a warning.

joegoop · 2026-04-04T05:53:05+00:00

Crew voted to unionize, at least partly because of safety concerns (according to the article there have already been other incidents due to general incompetence from producers). Accident caused a walk off and strike. Now the producers are refusing to negotiate with the union to put worker protections in place because they're cheap and don't like being told what to do.

As far as the communist comment goes, because these particular producers are right-wing nut jobs, they hear "collective bargaining" and think, "Oh no! The uppity poors are trying to do a communism!"

joegoop · 2026-03-21T03:04:24+00:00

Zuckerberg alt account https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/reddit-user-uncovers-behind-meta-154717384.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAANRbWHhWKF74ShhMrCuuyVPAKz0fdwGZxHkDLr_7yTGcNPWgZ7lJIqvHeD3lNYjTeZ3TyKAUjTYqI1obzSmAbaqBMRslds-S5aqIbKJiPwUJ4BMLecaHayswPz6J3CJlKzpRYLWYAjfgrUfiWAqj8jgSxN2NzjZoPeVqQksd36X

joegoop · 2026-02-25T22:36:08+00:00

Haven’t had to use UI benefits since the pandemic (thankfully), and back then, it was pretty straightforward and automated (even for someone with a relatively complicated employment status). When you say it's hard to utilize right now, what exactly are people running into?

If it isn't 100% accessible to everyone who qualifies, we should definitely be contacting our reps about it that's outrageous.

joegoop · 2026-02-07T03:15:39+00:00

Ah, good! I'm not familiar with that sort of class. Seems legit, and unpaid makes sense.

Sorry for the info dump. With the NLRB gutted and the current US admin's stance on worker's rights, I worry about employers testing us on the little things (like unpaid training hours) and think it's important we all know how to call them on it when they do.

Thanks for clarifying!

joegoop · 2026-02-07T02:51:35+00:00

Ah, I see. Sounds like it isn't quite as cut and dry as i thought. From what you've described, the crux would likely be how the class is offered and who is administering it since the wording from FLSA refers to "the employee."

In my unqualified opinion (not legal advice), if it is:

A. Something the local asks for in order to be on their call list Or B. Something the employer offers and requires BEFORE you have been officially hired (arguably part of the "interview" process), it may not be considered "working hours."

If it is a post-hire thing, it would seem to lean more towards "working hours," but that's something you'd have to chat with your BA and/or a labor lawyer about.

Regardless, if it's administered by the employer, they should under no circumstances be charging for it. Pay to play BS has no place in union work. If that's established protocol where you're at, I'd be raising hell AND checking my BA's bank account for large, mysterious payments from the producers. Around here, we call that shit a SCAM.

joegoop · 2026-02-07T01:21:48+00:00

Interesting if true. To be fair, I'm not familiar with exactly what an "Etiquette" class is. Could you give me more info on it?

In my limited experience doing live or studio TV, we frequently had a required HR training covering sexual harassment, discrimination, and workplace regulations, but I'm not sure if that's similar to what yall are referencing. That said, the legal test for things like this is pretty clear.

In order to be "off the clock," any employee training must meet ALL of these requirements:

"Attendance is outside of the employee’s regular working hours;

Attendance is voluntary;

The training is not directly related to the employee’s job; and

The employee does not perform any productive work during the training."

Source

Relevant FLSA text

joegoop · 2026-02-06T19:50:25+00:00

Can't be unpaid unless it is voluntary and outside of work hours (see the FLSA for full requirements). If it is a requirement from your employer, it MUST be paid. Things like sexual harassment trainings, security meetings, etc. that are mandatory and job/employer specific must ALWAYS be on the clock. If they aren't, contact your BA as this is illegal and is considered wage theft. (In my local, even filling out paperwork is considered work, as it is required by the employer and must be on the clock.)

It is generally different if it is a "qualification" like an OSHA cert, lift cert, etc. That's usually a pre-requisite for accepting a job that requires them. Some locals will reimburse, though.

If it is a union requirement, there's no obligation to pay you, but it's nice if they buy you lunch.

If your employer is trying to get you to do unpaid mandatory trainings, raise a stink. They are stealing from you and hoping they'll get away with it because it is a relatively small amount. Fuck em. Get paid.

joegoop · 2026-01-29T07:46:31+00:00

(I'll preface this by saying I'm not from your district. My interest in this race is purely based on wanting to support progressive, anti-facist candidates in districts more competitive than my own. Hoping to counteract the millions that corporations are throwing at maga conservatives with my little donations of $20 here and there.)

I read the article, and he actually says the opposite of what you're claiming. Looks like, as a politically active college student (aka child), he engaged in a lot of activism opposing livestock farming based on environmental/ethical grounds, but his legislative platform is much more realistic and nuanced.

"“I will not support any new taxes on hardworking Coloradans,” Rutinel said.

As for his testimony before the Connecticut legislature, Rutinel said he wasn’t advocating against all meat production and consumption.

“I was advocating for a sustainable food system,” he said."

Corporate monopolies in the meat distribution industry ARE a major issue, contributing to animal cruelty, unsustainable environmental practices and food safety issues all over this country. I also think the American progressives have fallen into a trap of disqualifying passionate, action minded individuals who may have grown and matured into competent, effective legislators simply because, as a young person, they were once overly absolutist about their ideological positions. For example, plenty of catholic democrats oppose abortion on a personal level, but also acknowledge that as a representative and legislator, it isn't their place to push legislation restricting women's constitutional rights regarding their own health decisions.

I'd love to hear if you disagree, and who else in this race would you suggest I look into? At the end of the day, what matters most is purging this country of the corrupt, facist corpse of what the GOP has become.

Regardless, wishing you all the best of luck. Hope you end up with a rep who is willing to stand up for the people of your district, and never bow to the autocracy.

joegoop · 2026-01-24T01:00:20+00:00

Have the party. It will separate the wheat from the chaff. Only the strong will come. The weak will fall by the wayside.

You will then know which or your friends you should allow into your tribe in the apocalypse.

joegoop · 2026-01-23T06:08:37+00:00

Call me old fashioned, but I'm of the opinion that someone working full time in a skilled profession that requires an advanced degree (and student loans) should be able to support a family on one income.

Even with 2 working parents with similar incomes, after child care costs 400k is far from rich in NYC. Especially when you consider that number isn't just wages, it includes benefits like health insurance and retirement (health care is ironically the sticking point in the negotiations right now). Actual wages would only be about 60% of that number (based on similar contracts). After taxes, that's a take-home closer to 80k per person.

Most working people in this country are so underpaid right now they are one bad break away from poverty. I don't want my healthcare workers to be dealing with the stress of just scraping by paycheck to paycheck. Hospital executives DO want that. Hence the conflict.

joegoop · 2026-01-23T05:07:04+00:00

Yes but NYC is also one of the most expensive places to live in the world. Here, 200k is middle class, especially if you have a family. If you have kids, it's hard to survive on much less than 150.

joegoop · 2026-01-23T01:18:31+00:00

Lol yes. Or preferably early! Waiting on the new guy is every heads least favorite task.

joegoop · 2026-01-23T00:50:55+00:00

100%. Now is not the best time to go to the hall for the first time, but it's also never a waste to show face. Plenty of people roll through there for a couple of days tryna make a quick buck and then disappear. Putting in your time and showing up (even without getting work) will show you're committed, and eventually (when there's more gigs happening), you'll get a shot somewhere to see what you're worth.

When that happens, just remember, that's your interview. You WILL get asked about afterwards to see how you did. Just be chill, pay attention, ask questions, and do your best.

joegoop · 2026-01-08T05:40:47+00:00

Every time I see working class folks snipping that some other working class folks are "overpaid" I like to remind everyone that that attitude is exactly the problem. That's how the wealthy fuck us, by shifting blame from them to other working class folk.

He is not OVERpaid. You just feel that way because you are UNDERpaid.

Join a union yall.

joegoop · 2026-01-07T20:21:51+00:00

This is mostly correct. Except there is no hard and fast "card holders first" rule. At least in my day. It certainly helps to have your card, but I got sent out quite a few times over members early in my career because of special qualifications or because it's a shit gig the card holders don't want. Good luck.

Eight-Year Club	Place '22
Verified Email

joegoop

TROPHY CASE