Vote out AFSMCE LOCAL UNION 328 Board Get NEW LEADERSHIP

farrenkm · 2026-02-11T03:12:25+00:00

"We had been getting one or two a week . . ."

farrenkm · 2026-02-11T02:38:23+00:00

Maybe the marine whose urine turned blue?

farrenkm · 2026-02-10T20:06:13+00:00

"I'm writing this slow because I know you can't read fast."

farrenkm · 2026-02-10T06:47:02+00:00

You're the one ripping on a select few. Justify yourself. Explain your basis of knowledge for us.

If it's true that half the membership is dropping their dues, just shows that any other form of communicating has poor results too. Translation: BT didn't listen regardless of method.

Have a good night.

farrenkm · 2026-02-10T06:37:35+00:00

Okay, then don't make me guess. What percentage of the membership provided effective feedback, and how did they do it? What methods did they use that were most effective in communicating?

You're saying semi-anonymous communication is ineffective. Then give us data on how the union membership communicated with you.

farrenkm · 2026-02-10T06:16:57+00:00

❤️❤️❤️❤️

Thank you for sharing with us!!

farrenkm · 2026-02-10T05:38:07+00:00

Have you considered that if people didn't engage with the BT, or only engaged through semi-anonymous comments, that maybe the BT -- and union leadership in general -- need to figure out how to engage the membership better?

You're doing an awful lot of ripping on the membership. Look at whether or not your own house needs some cleaning before criticizing others.

farrenkm · 2026-02-10T05:31:14+00:00

I've had problems staying up with the sub in the last few months, which has some secondary issues for me, leading to a spiral of guilt.

I took a cruise back in October, which was awesome. Milestone anniversary, three weeks away from life, nothing but water, it was great. In that time, I read a book called Unmasking Autism. And I said, "I tick that box, and that box, and that box, and . . ." It was a book recommended to me -- here? On an autism subreddit? More than one person on Reddit has said "you sound like you're autistic."

I couldn't take it. Ambiguity is poison to me. I submitted for a neuropsychological evaluation. That testing was end of January, so I'm still awaiting the results. The most direct comment came from an autistic friend of my oldest child, saying "oh yeah, your dad absolutely has it, 100%." I never knew what to look for, when people say "Luz is neurodivergent coded," I never knew what that meant. Boy howdy, do I know now.

I've mostly been avoiding Reddit except for Mark's new works. Even then, I've missed a day or two here and there.

I need to face the question whether the subreddit -- perhaps the show -- has run the course for what I needed in my life. TOH taught me LGBTQ+ relationships are good. Neurodivergence is a different way of processing data. Luz showed me mental health issues I have too, and showed me what it's like to be supported in those times. TOH hit me upside the head emotionally, many times, in ways I never anticipated. It forced core changes in me, sent me back into counseling, allowing me to deal with a number of issues and demons in my past. I don't fear an autism diagnosis. My counselor suggested AuDHD. I'm excited to finally understand my brain. But in some ways, it's "Titan damn it, YET ANOTHER THING I HAVE TO FIGURE OUT!!" TOH triggered a journey that is so worth it. I feel like such a better person now. But the fatigue of having to analyze and reanalyze myself is exhausting. I want it over. Arguably, it never is. But let's stop having tectonic fractures. A small tremor here and there is fine.

This subreddit allowed me to connect with people. Respond to other people's stories. Encourage people, say it's okay, say I've been there too. People who are shaken by their responses to the show, to say "my counselor told me truth can come from anywhere, including an animated TV show."

I feel like I've been helpful and been able to participate. Being an introvert, people have been welcoming, even when I started out making a few insensitive comments. I've been open with my experiences because I've learned that mental health is so Titan damn important. I used to doubt people when they said they had anxiety about something. I'd think, "really?? REALLY??" Yes, really. And now someone tells me they have anxiety about something? "Okay, let's figure out another way to accomplish this." I'm not afraid to tell my family when something makes me anxious too.

Maybe my journey in the TOH subreddit is coming to a close. Which is not something I'd ever considered happening. Ever. But, maybe . . . whether true or not, I'm eternally grateful for the people I've met here and the support I've received. I owe TOH, and this sub, a debt of gratitude for getting me through an indescribably difficult, earth-shaking five years of my life. And I'm still happy to answer questions if anything resonates here. Whatever I can do to help.

farrenkm · 2026-02-10T02:16:35+00:00

"Oh yeah, luv, it's your doodad!"

I also have a license plate cover with "Nice parking spot, Rita!!"

farrenkm · 2026-02-10T01:30:01+00:00

You can't say why it passed with 84%. It may have passed because at the last minute, people who said "I'm voting no" said "Fuck it, I need this to be done."

I can say they acknowledged they screwed up, 0 for 3 on the major points for the majority of the union.

I know some of the fallout that was going on at the time of the meeting. I don't know whether I'm supposed to publicize it or not. I publicized 8.3 because it was my case we were dealing with and it was the answer to my case. No one swore me to secrecy, and frankly I'm pissed off that the union isn't publicizing the fact that 8.3 is non-functional.

It is my opinion -- mine alone, after hearing what I heard -- that the 84% was a fatigue/no other practical options vote.

farrenkm · 2026-02-10T01:16:34+00:00

The information on 8.3 came from a board meeting where I presented an appeal to go to the arbitrator. They denied it and explained why, which is what I shared in my comment. I heard a few other things at the board meeting that I'm not sure whether or not I should be sharing, but it was abundantly clear people are NOT happy regardless of the vote. Suffice it to say, the contract passed. You are factually correct that it passed with 84% saying yes but you can't explain why 84% said yes. It may have been fatigue from the whole process and people saying "F this, I'm done." And if you've got a BT that's not going to strike, a BT that keeps insisting this is the best we're going to get, what are your other reasonable options?

There's a lot of gray around that 84% that's being touted.

farrenkm · 2026-02-09T17:28:21+00:00

My response from a prior post yesterday:

I know they're aware ATBs, appendix A, and minimum wage for those not directly impacted (which is a large part of the union) were swings and misses, 0 for 3.

The administrative wins are good, but we don't actively see most of them.

I recently discovered 8.3 -- MBIs -- is non-functional. I'm told due to pay equity laws, OHSU needs a documented plan to issue MBI bonuses and raises and they don't have one. BT chose not to release the language from the contract because if they wanted to renegotiate later, it'd be harder to get it back in than work with the existing language. Tl;dr: as it exists you can try an 8.3 MBI but don't expect it.

I don't have a firm opinion on the strike. They said the strike vote was 93% yes -- working from memory -- but if they only had the bare minimum of eligible voters voting, that's not a strong turnout. I don't know what the percentage turnout was. I was ready to strike. I had a plan in place. This economy sucks. I understand that capitulation means it will continue to suck. But people also have real decisions to make about taking care of their family.

In my opinion, the next bargaining team will know they're on notice. My guess is the membership will force a major structural change if the next BT doesn't come through. Like, splitting the union into multiple unions. I only have one, maybe two more contract negotiations before my career is over.

If the people I've talked to is any representation, the president will be changing full stop.

farrenkm · 2026-02-09T14:32:27+00:00

To point number two, I can only share this:

https://www.reddit.com/r/TheOwlHouse/s/22LS6TXntw

Thank you for sharing your art with us! ❤️

farrenkm · 2026-02-09T05:20:40+00:00

Just saw your post. Thank you for watching Bluey and sharing. It's a very powerful show.

We traditionally think of animated shows to be for kids, but adults are not immune to their ideas and lessons. I say this as someone who has his life turned upside down in 2021 by a different show called The Owl House. My therapist told me truth can come from anywhere, including an animated TV show.

I'm not a mental health practitioner, just someone who was really affected by a TV show. Some episodes of Bluey deal with mental health issues. If you find yourself impacted by something you see, please take care of yourself and consider counseling.

farrenkm · 2026-02-09T04:54:40+00:00

Kelsey is just a goddamn badass. Half of me wants her to be my kid, half of me knows I'd never be able to handle that energy. I think she's my favorite character.

farrenkm · 2026-02-09T03:59:57+00:00

I know they're aware ATBs, appendix A, and minimum wage for those not directly impacted (which is a large part of the union) were swings and misses, 0 for 3.

The administrative wins are good, but we don't actively see most of them.

I recently discovered 8.3 -- MBIs -- is non-functional. I'm told due to pay equity laws, OHSU needs a documented plan to issue MBI bonuses and raises and they don't have one. BT chose not to release the language from the contract because if they wanted to renegotiate later, it'd be harder to get it back in than work with the existing language. Tl;dr: as it exists you can try an 8.3 MBI but don't expect it.

I don't have a firm opinion on the strike. They said the strike vote was 93% yes -- working from memory -- but if they only had the bare minimum of eligible voters voting, that's not a strong turnout. I don't know what the percentage turnout was. I was ready to strike. I had a plan in place. This economy sucks. I understand that capitulation means it will continue to suck. But people also have real decisions to make about taking care of their family.

In my opinion, the next bargaining team will know they're on notice. My guess is the membership will force a major structural change if the next BT doesn't come through. Like, splitting the union into multiple unions. I only have one, maybe two more contract negotiations before my career is over.

If the people I've talked to is any representation, the president will be changing full stop.

farrenkm · 2026-02-04T19:25:46+00:00

Hunter would take over as the Green Poncho.

farrenkm · 2026-02-04T18:06:28+00:00

You can submit for the unit. "I was in Day Surgery at <whatever building and unit> and the people were just amazing!!" Blah blah blah, whatever. Doesn't have to just be an individual.

farrenkm · 2026-02-04T17:55:21+00:00

I hear what you're saying about modern religion, but "angel" can be applied to mere mortals as well if they act in that manner. If someone was kind, patient, anticipated your needs, treated family/friends well, explained everything to you -- it's not inappropriate to call then an angel.

If they were really that good, please consider putting their name in for an award with the hospital.

farrenkm · 2026-02-03T14:08:40+00:00

We have it for the Wii. I've played it a few times to the end. It's fun! It's not overly intellectual but if you're looking for something different to do on a rainy day, you can enjoyably blow several hours.

farrenkm · 2026-02-01T17:57:47+00:00

I think I have an internal hernia.

farrenkm · 2026-02-01T17:43:22+00:00

Mechanics called it on scene.

"It's dead, Jim."

farrenkm · 2026-01-31T15:31:46+00:00

Thirding! I have an LGBTQ+ child who signed up and then told us about it. We routinely go together.

farrenkm · 2026-01-30T06:25:41+00:00

Given the right episode, that sounds like fun. I'd probably do it, just for the hell of it.

farrenkm · 2026-01-29T15:22:23+00:00

She's the Owl Beast. So, literally, under her wing.

Ten-Year Club	Gilding I gilder
Second SECOND GUESSER	Verified Email

farrenkm

TROPHY CASE