Despite the cool weather, I can tell it`s August in Chicago. My bank account is dwindling, the school system is as broke as I am and it`s open season on school ”firemen.”
In your Aug. 11 editorial you said, ”The unions can achieve a decent raise this year, and a chance for more . . . if they make reasonable trade-offs now. There are several possibilities.” Then you list three.
I looked up the word ”reasonable.” There were words like logical and valid. Somehow I don`t think it fits with your ”possibilities” when they involve eliminating jobs-my job! ”Reasonable” might mean renegotiation, not elimination.
We are now called school maintenance assistants to include other duties. Since coal was replaced, the fireman`s job has changed to include more and more maintenance and repair of electronic heating systems, plumbing, and grounds and custodial equipment. Also kitchen equipment, air conditioning, building repairs, etc.
We have buildings more than 75 years old; do you think many servicemen will just happen to have a part on their truck? I probably have made more tools to accommodate a repair to an obsolete piece than there are in any tool catalog.
Do me one favor before you throw us out on the street: check and see how many Chicago public schools have had to close for a day or two, compared to other schools, while repairs had to be made!
