6 minutes a day for bathroom breaks? Union cries foul

[Omaha Steve]

X post in Socialist-Progressive

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/chi-bathroom-breaks-watersavers-union-complaint-20140710,0,2945251.story

By Corilyn Shropshire
Tribune reporter
3:18 p.m. CDT, July 10, 2014

A local union has filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board against an employer who they claim is allowing them only 6 minutes a day to use the bathroom.

Members of the Teamsters Local 743 who build sink stations at WaterSaver Faucet Co. and its sister company Guardian Equipment Inc. said that workers have been disciplined for exceeding their allotted bathroom time of 30 minutes per week, or 6 minutes per workday.

"They offered $1 per day for anyone who doesn’t go to the bathroom at all," said Nick Kreitman, senior business agent for Teamsters Local 743. So far, 19 people have been disciplined, with written or oral warnings, he said.

The union contract currently allows for a 7.5-hour workday, including a 10-minute break in the morning, a 30-minute lunch break, a 15-minute afternoon break and a 5-minute cleanup period before the shift ends, according to Steven Kersten, owner and president of WaterSaver Faucet Co.

FULL story & VIDEO at link.

[Sherman A1]

1. Sounds like the call center where my spouse works

For a large insurance company (think snoopy), if nature calls between their breaks and they dash to the restroom. They are classified as "out of adherence" and it affects their performance reviews. One co-worker was feeling ill and vomited in her trash can rather than leave the phone.

[angstlessk]

2. How times change

I worked for an insurance company...I was an actuarial assistant...I wore jeans with holes in the knees...my boss said, why don't you buy new jeans...my answer was, I would, but it's hard to find jeans with holes in the knees .. true story...and he kept me as his assistant.....what a difference a generation makes

[Louisiana1976]

3. I wouldn't want to work there. My bladder wouldn't be able to deal with only six minutes

to use the bathroom. Hope the workers get a fairer restroom arrangement.

[Enthusiast]

4. This what happens when corporations grow too powerful.

They need to be put in their place.

[awoke_in_2003]

5. One day workers are going to get smart...

and realize they are going to have to fight the same battles their grandparents did.