Plow drivers may sit out big weekend snowstorm

Boston Herald ^ | 12/5/03 | Jennifer Rosinski

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

The snow shovels may come out of hibernation this weekend, when cold fronts moving in from the north and south dump several inches of the white stuff across Boston and outlying areas.

And state-contracted plow drivers are considering sitting the storm out.

``Saturday looks ugly,'' said Alan Dunham of the National Weather Service in Taunton. ``There's a possibility of more than 6 inches of snow. We don't expect the snow to clear up until Sunday morning.''

That could mean bad news for drivers if snow-plow operators in a contract dispute with the state refuse to show up when called to work this weekend.

Drivers who gathered at the Raynham Taunton Greyhound Park last night said they will not work if the state does not honor their current contract, which expires Dec. 31, and instead requires them to use GPS phones to track their movements. Mass. Highway has said the state is not required to call into work drivers who have balked at using the phones.

Both sides will meet at 11 a.m. today in the Transportation Building to continue negotiations.

A mix of sleet and snow will hit Boston and coastal areas, while pure snow will cover communities to the north, south and west, Dunham predicted. The first flakes should blanket the ground by late tonight when temperatures drop to the low 20s, Dunham said.

Tomorrow, wind gusts of 35 mph could whip up the snow as it falls steadily throughout the day.

[xsmommy]

there is absolutely NO WAY that this area is depressed. never has been a downturn here that i could see. That is pretty impressive, but those socialists down the hill there will still sport their DEAN bumper stickers. i saw an infuriating bumpersticker at my youngest's school today, it said RE-defeat Bush in 2004. i need a bush/cheney 2004 stat.

[patton]

Well, when Poplar Heights calls for the dues, I think I got it covered.

[xsmommy]

well at least you aren't paying a pool boy.... ; )

[patton]

I think that I pay a number of them, actually. Have you looked at those dues, lately?

[xsmommy]

we belong to army-navy CC and i NEVER open those envelopes when they come....

[patton]

LOL. Lucky you.

[ladyjane]

Are you a democrat? Would you want your tax dollars going to drivers who aren't doing the job they are supposed to be doing? Would you spend your own money to pay someone over $100 an hour to sit in a coffee shop.

[xsmommy]

all i know is they come often and i put them on his desk!

[patton]

You better hang on to that husband of yours. He is doing fine by you.

Let him know you appreciate it.

It matters.

[xsmommy]

don't worry. he knows. he is in Palm Springs on bizness and i am trundling our three kids nineways to sunday here in his absence in the snow. He was in Las Vegas during Hurricane Isabelle while i held the house together and had no power for 5 days and ended up taking the kids to my brother's in OH, bc of the BOIL WATER order. i pull my weight : ) and i am appreciative. he is a good one. as you are, i am sure.

[patton]

Sometimes.

I have a number of generators - call when needed. Only, my house has first priority.

[xsmommy]

did you lose power during isabelle? i know some people from St James didn't lose it for even a minute. we have a lot of old trees in our neighborhood up here and it was a solid 5 days.

[pageonetoo]

Would you spend your own money to pay someone over $100 an hour to sit in a coffee shop.

Bingo... the gps phone lets the employer know exactly where the phone is located, at any time! Tracking employees is not a violation of rights! It IS smart business! Trucking companies use it regularly to monitor and verify compliance with DOT regs.
They do not want their employers to know they are not doing anything for the $$$ being paid.
A few years ago, I met a fellow that had the plowing contract at the Dulles (VA) mail facitlity.
He had eight trucks, with eight drivers getting paid to plow. Each truck was lined up so they each took a foot wide swipe. When they completed a run, they went back and did it again. As long as there was snow falling, they kept going around in circles. He was paid $80 per hour , per truck.
He gave the dispatcher a little 'token' of his appreciation, for letting them do this!
And people wonder why stamps ar so expensive!

[patton]

I charge $250/hr, per plow. You get them for $80, you deserve what you get.

Let's see - $35,000 plow - might use it twenty days/year, if I get lucky...

I suggest you invest and rent them out for $80/hr.

I would get a laugh out of it.

[patton]

for about a week, yes. No loss. Except no internet - I had withdrawel symptoms...

[xsmommy]

generator can't run the computer? i honestly don't know how a generator works! and it turns out the boil water order didn't apply to us, bc we write the check to Falls Church Water Authority and they weren't affected, but i didn't figure that out for awhile.

[patton]

It can run the the computer, but you need to have access.

Damn shark ate the internet.

[xsmommy]

we have a wireless aircard for the laptop, but it is dang slow compared to the cable modem.

[michigander]

``There's a possibility of more than 6 inches of snow.

Oooooo! WOW!! Guess what? You can have it too.

[patton]

I told you your husband was doing right by you. Make sure he knows it.