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DonRedwood

(4,359 posts)
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 01:21 PM Sep 2012

14 CA Lifeguards fired for inappropriate and disgusting behavior and now they need our help.

Last edited Sat Sep 8, 2012, 11:49 PM - Edit history (3)

These lifeguards have 1736 signatures on their petition to save their jobs. C'mon DU, can we double that?? (if you sign the change.org petition let us know what it is up to! UPDATE 1:26 p.m. Pacific: now at 1902, they need 598 more signatures. DU IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE;0) UPDATE: 8:47 2320 only 179 needed :0)

I'll do a quick paraphrase and then post the links. 14 lifeguards, on their off-time, made a music video (a shot-by-shot knock-off of a popular Korean video). Nothing lewd, nothing dirty, the worst thing they do is put some sun lotion on to a beat. These kids are mostly college students working to pay for school and books and the city freaked out and fired them all.

The city is charging them with using the pool and wearing their uniforms in a way that they didn't approve of. The implications of this are pretty big. In a broader sense, using this same rational, they could fire any employee who posts a picture or a video on which city property is visible, in which they are wearing or any uniforms are visible or, God forbid, an employee does something that the city doesn't approve of. If your wife takes a picture of you in your uniform as you leave for work and she puts it on facebook you could be fired.

To put this into perspective, one of the lifeguards in the video does nothing more than smile at the camera, one time. That's it. He is only in one shot that I saw, and all he did was smile at the camera. They edited the clip down and used it three or four times in a row but it is just a smile. So, one of these guys was fired for smiling at his friend's camera.

There is a petition at change.org to help these guys out: http://www.change.org/petitions/help-the-14-el-monte-lifeguards-get-their-jobs-back-hire-back-the-lifeguards?utm_campaign=autopublish&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=share_petition&utm_term=25403421

Here is the video:
&feature=player_embedded

Here is a huffpo article: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/07/lifeguard-style-gangnam-style-spoof-video-fired_n_1865535.html


82 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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14 CA Lifeguards fired for inappropriate and disgusting behavior and now they need our help. (Original Post) DonRedwood Sep 2012 OP
"lude"? PCIntern Sep 2012 #1
we used to get some of those from mexico. xchrom Sep 2012 #3
Those were the days. gateley Sep 2012 #29
thanks PC.... DonRedwood Sep 2012 #5
Thanks! Nt PCIntern Sep 2012 #24
OVER 100 NEW SIGNATURES AT CHANGE.ORG (See, DU CAN make a difference) DonRedwood Sep 2012 #28
they're in trouble for that?!?! oy. nt xchrom Sep 2012 #2
Terminated! DonRedwood Sep 2012 #10
Very heavy handed. Went to Youtube. The song's copyrighted, but that can't be the issue. freshwest Sep 2012 #15
I think it is the end of season and they figured this might save them some unemployment? DonRedwood Sep 2012 #46
Well, they should just say that. Blocking their UE is dirty. There's going to be a backlash, too. freshwest Sep 2012 #47
yes. the police can shoot several people and keep their jobs...a lifeguard can smile and get fired DonRedwood Sep 2012 #16
They get fired for saving lives. Incitatus Sep 2012 #39
Too much laughing for the pigs. madashelltoo Sep 2012 #4
This message was self-deleted by its author itsrobert Sep 2012 #41
City missed a great opportunity. This could have been used for great PR footage. The 1monster Sep 2012 #6
i know! DonRedwood Sep 2012 #17
Especially since the original video isn't exactly obscure Posteritatis Sep 2012 #23
+1 Blue_Tires Sep 2012 #43
done. K&R. Tuesday Afternoon Sep 2012 #7
I guess I'm dense, but I'm really having trouble figuring out WTF was wrong with this video. n/t RKP5637 Sep 2012 #8
They Are Happy! Can't have that. madashelltoo Sep 2012 #9
There's a strong current underfoot to make this an unhappy miserable country ruled RKP5637 Sep 2012 #20
mean people suck DonRedwood Sep 2012 #62
+++ 1,000,000,000 +++ n/t RKP5637 Sep 2012 #63
I found nothing offensive... however life without unions is "right to hire - right to fire" Yooperman Sep 2012 #11
Unless the people stand up for them...which is what I'm trying to make happen DonRedwood Sep 2012 #19
The only thing I found offensive was the scene on the elevator. n/t RebelOne Sep 2012 #22
offensive enough to fire someone? DonRedwood Sep 2012 #25
Well, I may have fired him for that performance. n/t RebelOne Sep 2012 #48
K and R FedUpWithIt All Sep 2012 #12
Aside from the bit in the elevator (which is just weird) and enlightenment Sep 2012 #13
Elevator was a little over the top. Control-Z Sep 2012 #18
the elevator bit was in the original video...link to originial video angstlessk Sep 2012 #32
The life guards did a much better video than the original... 1monster Sep 2012 #71
I can't see the video (I'm on dial-up) but I wonder if that's just an excuse Raine Sep 2012 #14
Done. Control-Z Sep 2012 #21
Lewd or Prudes with Debt to Elude ? orpupilofnature57 Sep 2012 #26
There was nothing rude or disgusting in that video at all...! peacebird Sep 2012 #27
What kind of stick do their bosses have up their asses? dballance Sep 2012 #30
signed, sealed and delivered...might want to pass on this little tidbit to the city or town angstlessk Sep 2012 #31
wow...there story must be going viral--i think it was 108,000,000 something this morning DonRedwood Sep 2012 #36
Here is a prospective I would like to bring to the table. If these young people were off duty why southernyankeebelle Sep 2012 #33
It is a city owned pool. And they were fired for "disgusting" behavior DonRedwood Sep 2012 #34
I worked at a civic center where we have a city pool. This is also in a rural area but a small southernyankeebelle Sep 2012 #38
It's not like they were using the pool without a lifeguard available... 1monster Sep 2012 #73
All am talking about is liability. I am not talking about what they were doing. I don't think southernyankeebelle Sep 2012 #77
So I suppose it's best to overreact in the silliest way possible. (nt) Posteritatis Sep 2012 #78
Maybe so if you own a business and have been stung. southernyankeebelle Sep 2012 #79
A better example.... should we fire these guys? Army guys dance out Lady GaGa DonRedwood Sep 2012 #35
You can understand a city that isn't rich's point of view. You can be sentimental but southernyankeebelle Sep 2012 #40
so fire a guy who smiled who might not even know that is going on-no meeting, no questions DonRedwood Sep 2012 #45
You need to take a chill pill. I didn't see anything wrong with the film. I am trying to bring southernyankeebelle Sep 2012 #50
Pardon Ma'am, I had some recent tussles with someone who turned out to be a troll...so I've been DonRedwood Sep 2012 #53
I wasn't offended. I just thought you just needed a reminder it's only a conversation and I southernyankeebelle Sep 2012 #72
I hope that post got alerted. marble falls Jan 2015 #81
with 1,967 supporters 532 NEEDED Share on Facebook Vincardog Sep 2012 #37
I'll sign the petition, however I do have a question. Butterbean Sep 2012 #42
I don't know. BUT their supervisor said he was firing them for being "inappropriate and disgusting" DonRedwood Sep 2012 #51
All excellent points. Thank you. Butterbean Sep 2012 #52
They just did a big cut at work so I guess I'm sensitive to people getting fired for no reason DonRedwood Sep 2012 #54
What the fresh hell? Really? That's unbelievable. Even my work isn't that bad. n/t Butterbean Sep 2012 #58
Signed Egnever Sep 2012 #44
Done! Rhiannon12866 Sep 2012 #49
2122 @ 5:49 Pacific DonRedwood Sep 2012 #55
almost 2200 DonRedwood Sep 2012 #60
2320 DonRedwood Sep 2012 #64
2362...so close! 138 to go DonRedwood Sep 2012 #65
45 to go!! DonRedwood Sep 2012 #66
done...... dhill926 Sep 2012 #56
Severe over reaction GEOpix Sep 2012 #57
What are those lyrics? Wolfman condom star? At least that is what it sounds like. Tigress DEM Sep 2012 #59
Gangdam Style ! ( its the Korean original video they are "spoofing" or homaging) nt pkdu Sep 2012 #61
"Oppan Gangnam Style" Frank Cannon Sep 2012 #75
City taking itself way too seriously... flyguyjake Sep 2012 #67
my bedtime ladies and germs. These guys need 38 more signatures at change.org for their petition DonRedwood Sep 2012 #68
done and THANK YOU> it made me smile and laugh. babydollhead Sep 2012 #69
2575 and counting n/t calikid Sep 2012 #70
2687 and Counting! Keep singing the petition peeps!! DonRedwood Sep 2012 #74
2,695 Brewinblue Sep 2012 #76
A Just Termination Mikasa Jan 2015 #80
First post on a two year old thread? marble falls Jan 2015 #82

xchrom

(108,903 posts)
3. we used to get some of those from mexico.
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 01:28 PM
Sep 2012
the party didn't ever last long -- but for oh - probably a 1/2 an hour we were a hoot.

this would have been the 60s.

DonRedwood

(4,359 posts)
5. thanks PC....
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 01:31 PM
Sep 2012

I hate it when catch a spelling/usage error later, after it is too late to fix it.

P.S. PC...I like a lot of your posts. :0)

freshwest

(53,661 posts)
15. Very heavy handed. Went to Youtube. The song's copyrighted, but that can't be the issue.
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 01:55 PM
Sep 2012

Trying to guess the reason for this.

Done on work time? Should have asked for permission to film? Dock their pay, write them up, but fire them? WTF is wrong with their bosses?

They should all be at work today!

DonRedwood

(4,359 posts)
46. I think it is the end of season and they figured this might save them some unemployment?
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 08:14 PM
Sep 2012

Fire them all a couple of weeks before they shut down for the winter? I'm sure they need fewer lifeguards as of this week with all the kiddies going back to school.

Incitatus

(5,317 posts)
39. They get fired for saving lives.
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 06:10 PM
Sep 2012
http://articles.latimes.com/2012/jul/05/nation/la-na-nn-florida-lifeguards-fired-20120705

He was later offered his job back after the news got big and people complained, but he refused and accepted a job somewhere else.

madashelltoo

(1,685 posts)
4. Too much laughing for the pigs.
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 01:29 PM
Sep 2012

If we allow them to have their way, Americans will not be allowed to smile or laugh ever unless given permission. This is yet another example of those with power being drunk with it. Young people having a great time stops their hearts from beating. Right? They take food off of their plates. Right? They take their paychecks to the bar. Right? Wrong. They're just too damned happy. Can't have that shit.

Response to madashelltoo (Reply #4)

1monster

(11,012 posts)
6. City missed a great opportunity. This could have been used for great PR footage. The
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 01:37 PM
Sep 2012

beancounters have no imagination or creativity at all. And hate it when they see it in others.

DonRedwood

(4,359 posts)
17. i know!
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 02:23 PM
Sep 2012

and instead they come across as fascists, upset at...well, i don't know what. There just isn't anything offensive in the video.

Posteritatis

(18,807 posts)
23. Especially since the original video isn't exactly obscure
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 02:43 PM
Sep 2012

One can always get some mileage on parodies of stuff like that. (Of course, Gangman Style was itself getting some mileage, since it's a parody itself.)

RKP5637

(67,030 posts)
20. There's a strong current underfoot to make this an unhappy miserable country ruled
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 02:39 PM
Sep 2012

by authoritarians and plutocrats with absolutely no tolerance for fun and happiness. I look at people around here in a republican stronghold and they look miserable as hell and they have money. That's not good enough for them, they want to also control and dominate every aspect ones life.


Yooperman

(592 posts)
11. I found nothing offensive... however life without unions is "right to hire - right to fire"
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 01:47 PM
Sep 2012

They don't even need a reason... any employer can let you go without any reason what so ever.

Should these students have been fired... nope.... but unless they were part of a union the city had the authority to let them go.

If they were union members then they would be able to use proper procedures to file a hearing that they were unjustly fired.

YM

DonRedwood

(4,359 posts)
19. Unless the people stand up for them...which is what I'm trying to make happen
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 02:25 PM
Sep 2012

The people united is as strong as any union. I know, i'm the member of one.

enlightenment

(8,830 posts)
13. Aside from the bit in the elevator (which is just weird) and
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 01:50 PM
Sep 2012

the fountain (which is possibly a little too suggestive for younger kids, but could also just be yoga), this would make a great PR video.

In the UK they call public officials that can't see past the end of their pointy pencils 'jobsworths'. It is not a compliment.

Ridiculous over-reaction to some kids having fun.

Control-Z

(15,681 posts)
18. Elevator was a little over the top.
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 02:24 PM
Sep 2012

Do you remember Legally Blond 2? It reminded me of Junior doing the cheerleader's dance to Atomic Dog on the courthouse steps.

A little over the top but pretty harmless.

angstlessk

(11,862 posts)
32. the elevator bit was in the original video...link to originial video
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 05:00 PM
Sep 2012

PSY - GANGNAM STYLE

&feature=related

Raine

(30,540 posts)
14. I can't see the video (I'm on dial-up) but I wonder if that's just an excuse
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 01:50 PM
Sep 2012

since it's the end of summer even here in CA most lifeguards would be layed off anyway.

Control-Z

(15,681 posts)
21. Done.
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 02:39 PM
Sep 2012

Have they not seen the trash a lot of young people post on youtube? This looks like a healthy, wholesome group of kids having fun to me.

 

orpupilofnature57

(15,472 posts)
26. Lewd or Prudes with Debt to Elude ?
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 04:13 PM
Sep 2012

Unfortunately the municipal Managers of our entire country are trying to cure their mismanagement by playing the role of Torquemada

peacebird

(14,195 posts)
27. There was nothing rude or disgusting in that video at all...!
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 04:14 PM
Sep 2012

Just some kids having fun. Talk about over reacting....

 

dballance

(5,756 posts)
30. What kind of stick do their bosses have up their asses?
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 04:32 PM
Sep 2012

There was nothing lewd or offensive in the video. It was very amusing. Okay so they still had on their uniforms. I wouldn't have known that unless their bosses tried to make something of it. I didn't see any logos.

angstlessk

(11,862 posts)
31. signed, sealed and delivered...might want to pass on this little tidbit to the city or town
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 04:58 PM
Sep 2012

PSY - GANGNAM STYLE has so far received 125,657,304 hits on google video...the city could get mileage from the video

Link:

&feature=related
 

southernyankeebelle

(11,304 posts)
33. Here is a prospective I would like to bring to the table. If these young people were off duty why
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 05:03 PM
Sep 2012

were they still at the pool? They didn't bother to get permission from the boss. Here is a big problem I can see. If any of these people could have gotten hurt one of their parents could have sued the owner. That is something people should think about. I know they don't look anything is going on but it could happen. The owner of the business has the liability worry. Those are just facts. If they would have asked the boss then the boss could have gotten to control the situation and say yes or no to want they can do. Those are facts.

DonRedwood

(4,359 posts)
34. It is a city owned pool. And they were fired for "disgusting" behavior
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 05:14 PM
Sep 2012

I would think, the more prudent thing to do if you are a city and 14 young people's jobs and lives should matter, that you would sit them down and tell them not to do anything like this again.

Firing them publicly, saying they were disgusting and saying they have no character basically, ruining their reputation and hurting their chances of finishing school.

When you see companies making videos right and left cheekily selling their products (naked airline attendants

) society is quickly blurring what is acceptable and what isn't.

This was a learning opportunity for these kids. They should have been reprimanded and that is that (really? you think it was ok to fire the one guy who ONLY SMILED?). Instead these kids have decided to fight for their jobs and will learn a whole different lesson (sometimes the little guy gets royally screwed) but maybe they will learn if you fight for your rights you win.

I'm helping them fight for their rights. No one should be fired for smiling.
 

southernyankeebelle

(11,304 posts)
38. I worked at a civic center where we have a city pool. This is also in a rural area but a small
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 06:06 PM
Sep 2012

city. They are always worried about liability. Just one accident and the city can pay dearly. Those are facts. I've seen it where I worked that lifeguards can do some dumb things. The city fires them. I can understand there point of view. People do crazy things. They can and will be sued.

 

southernyankeebelle

(11,304 posts)
77. All am talking about is liability. I am not talking about what they were doing. I don't think
Sun Sep 9, 2012, 01:17 PM
Sep 2012

filming was wrong. I can see the owners responsibility. Nothing happened BUT something could have. They are lifeguards and they have a responsibility to their jobs. If they aren't doing their job then the owner has rights. The sad thing is today if you live in a right to work state they can fire you and not give you a reason. When I was working at a civic center alot of the maintenance people were have to clean up after a big event. One of the guys was working and another guy said something innocent to him. All he said was if she doesn't like it she can come out here and do it herself. The supervisor overheard him and he went in and told the boss (who no one liked). She came out and she fired him on the spot, period. That's what happens in a right to work state.

DonRedwood

(4,359 posts)
35. A better example.... should we fire these guys? Army guys dance out Lady GaGa
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 05:18 PM
Sep 2012


court martial? say in the paper they are disgusting and unworthy of employment? Ruin their character? I mean, there was a hip thrust there and some men touched.
 

southernyankeebelle

(11,304 posts)
40. You can understand a city that isn't rich's point of view. You can be sentimental but
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 06:11 PM
Sep 2012

that is only going to go so far.

DonRedwood

(4,359 posts)
45. so fire a guy who smiled who might not even know that is going on-no meeting, no questions
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 06:41 PM
Sep 2012

Did you watch the video? There is nothing unsafe. THEY WERE FIRED FOR BEING "DISGUSTING". I am criticizing that they were fired because someone thought what they did was nasty...nothing about being unsafe. The city admitted why they were fired. It isn't some made up thing--and I'm saying it was wrong.

ESPECIALLY since 14 were fired and several didn't dance, move, flail, swim or do anything but smile. Like if your friend came up behind you and got a little 2 second film of you smiling and spliced it into a video. Should you be fired for that with no meeting or recourse?

Sure the city is strapped money wise and illegally firing people only costs the city more in the long run after the lawsuits, unemployment benefits, foodstamps, whatever else an unemployed 20 year old has to turn to to survive.

 

southernyankeebelle

(11,304 posts)
50. You need to take a chill pill. I didn't see anything wrong with the film. I am trying to bring
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 08:31 PM
Sep 2012

another prospect thats all.

DonRedwood

(4,359 posts)
53. Pardon Ma'am, I had some recent tussles with someone who turned out to be a troll...so I've been
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 08:41 PM
Sep 2012

a bit quick on the defense lately.

Did you see the post last week from the troll who posted that all Dem women are ugly? They had been peppering me with comments in the previous weeks and then came out with that really terrible post. Ever since then I sure seem to want to wade into an argument quickly.

My apologies for not being a gentleman.

 

southernyankeebelle

(11,304 posts)
72. I wasn't offended. I just thought you just needed a reminder it's only a conversation and I
Sun Sep 9, 2012, 11:34 AM
Sep 2012

was just bringing another point of view. Try not letting assholes get to you. Am a women and we have to remember republican trolls would only say something like that about women because republican women are beautiful outside but damn ugly on the inside and you can't do anything about ugly. Plus at night when they go home and get ready for bed they take that cake makeup off, fake eyelishes off, fake boobs off and fake butts off and what do you have left? An empty brain and a ugly, ugly woman. At least dem women are smart and are not ugly inside.

Butterbean

(1,014 posts)
42. I'll sign the petition, however I do have a question.
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 06:14 PM
Sep 2012

Did they sign anything when they were hired about posting pictures on Facebook or social media sites in their uniforms? I ask because where I work, we all had to sign a clause that explicitly forbids posting of any pictures of us in our uniforms or at work on any social media site, or on a personal blog. I'm a nurse, and work at a hospital, so it's a little bit different where I work, granted, but that's becoming a new thing at a lot of places I hear. We cannot post any pictures of us in our work uniform at all, on any social media sites, or post pictures of us at work on social media sites. It's a huge deal now.

DonRedwood

(4,359 posts)
51. I don't know. BUT their supervisor said he was firing them for being "inappropriate and disgusting"
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 08:32 PM
Sep 2012

so... if the reason was "you are not allowed to make a video on the off hours or be photographed in your uniform" then I'd think the city would have said so instead of allowing a supervisor to make a moral judgement that the press was privy to.

But I've seen firemen dancing on America's favorite home video, Policemen dancing, air crew dancing, prison inmates dancing... it just does not seem a firing offense AND

MOST IMPORTANTLY, some of those kids aren't dancing. One only smiles. Is he being "inappropriate and disgusting?" He doesn't sing to the lyrics or anything--just a guy at work who got filmed on someone's phone for two seconds smiling and then got fired and called disgusting in the press by his boss.

DonRedwood

(4,359 posts)
54. They just did a big cut at work so I guess I'm sensitive to people getting fired for no reason
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 08:47 PM
Sep 2012

they just fired someone where i work for using their cell phone.

GEOpix

(65 posts)
57. Severe over reaction
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 09:05 PM
Sep 2012

I just signed the petition. It now has 2127 supporters, and needs 373 more as of 9:00 PM EST

Tigress DEM

(7,887 posts)
59. What are those lyrics? Wolfman condom star? At least that is what it sounds like.
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 09:22 PM
Sep 2012

It is suggestive but in a really playful way. The elevator whoop and the guy putting lotion on his own chest, multiple women doing odd things in front of a man. It's bizarre, but worth firing? Not sure. If they work with kids it has to be pg.

Lots of things that are ok for adults to do for and with adults aren't appropriate for them to do in front of kids. My guess is that is where the problem is happening. The city letting them go before they wind up getting sued by parents whose kids say, "Hey, that's my lifeguard! Cool."

Thing is, what is the point of the video anyway? If it were professional athletes trying to promote condom use, and aimed at a PG13 audience, there would be some explanation. Maybe there is a valid reason for this video and an appropriate audience and the tizzy will die down.

Frank Cannon

(7,570 posts)
75. "Oppan Gangnam Style"
Sun Sep 9, 2012, 01:10 PM
Sep 2012

Which, I'm told, loosely translates from Korean to &quot Big Brother has) Gangnam style", with Gangnam referring to a hip, stylish area in Seoul.

Here's the link to the the original video by Korean rapster PSY. I just discovered this video this morning and I've watched it five times already. It's kind of a catchy tune, and the video is hilarious.

DonRedwood

(4,359 posts)
68. my bedtime ladies and germs. These guys need 38 more signatures at change.org for their petition
Sun Sep 9, 2012, 02:41 AM
Sep 2012

I sure hope I wake up to see that they've made it!

I can't help but think that D.U. has made a difference and when these kids see how many people are supporting them, it will mean the world. They're probably still fired but at least they won't feel like garbage that's been tossed away.

Cheers and good night!

Mikasa

(1 post)
80. A Just Termination
Sun Jan 4, 2015, 06:31 AM
Jan 2015

If my employer viewed a publicly available recording created by me and my fellow co-workers depicting us goofing off within the company facility while in company uniform, I'd expect to also be fired..

Just sayin..

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