Posted on 11/22/2005 6:28:45 AM PST by cloud8
Mocked for millions of dollars in Big Dig cost overruns, the Turnpike Authority has one cost-saving measure solidly in place: charging thirsty workers for sipping at the office water cooler.
The Turnpike is sticking by the no-free-water policy even as ax-wielding Transportation Secretary John Cogliano has agreed to pick up the bubbler tab this month for another state agency – MassHighway.
Cogliano made the call after learning that MassHighway rank-and-file were paying to drink up, while brass at his Executive Office of Transportation were hydrating for free.
"It came to his attention that some people in other departments had water clubs where they’re paying $2 or $3 a month to use the water cooler," Executive Office of Transportation spokesman Jon Carlisle said. "It really didn’t strike him as fair."
But the Pike – which has shelled out $37 million in public money to plug leaks in the Big Dig, scheduled lavish bridge and tunnel opening ceremonies and spends $50,000 a year to gussy up its toll roads with flowers – won’t give a drop when it comes to a quaff.
"A bottle of water costs $2, and this is just $2 a month. It’s a great deal," Turnpike Authority spokeswoman Mariellen Burns said of the agency’s fee-for-sipping "water club" for thirsty workers.
And if Pike workers don’t want to pay up at the cooler, well, let them drink tap water.
"There’s nothing wrong with the city’s tap water and there’s a food court downstairs," Burns said. "I think this is one of those things where people just like the water. It’s cold. It’s convenient."
Cogliano considered doing away with the executive office’s water cooler perk, but decided instead to pick up the tab for MassHighway and Registry of Motor Vehicle coolers."Water is a basic amenity that is very reasonably priced and fosters health," Carlisle said.
Burns said no one goes thirsty at the Pike. "If you are in a remote location where there isn’t access to water, that’s one thing. Here it’s something that’s a matter of convenience," she said.
Even so, an unscientific Herald survey of state agencies found that free water coolers are the rule. "We have few perks, but we do have water," quipped Katie Ford of the Executive Office of Public Safety.
At the Attorney General’s Office, spokeswoman Beth Stone confirmed: "We don’t pay for water."
The state transportation department signed a contract with Belmont Springs early this month and deliveries should begin soon, Carlisle said. The cost is expected to come to around $15,000 a year.
...just as long as they don't have to swim and report back the next day...
Doogle
Another wonder of the socialist state, free health care and fees for water.
I thought use of the term "bubbler" was limited to Southeastern Wisconsin.
I guess the pay-toilets will be shelved for now.
No give them free water, but make them pay for the bathrooms.
Beat ya to it in my #6. :-)
I guess the coin-operated emergency fire hoses might cause a bit of controversy, too.
Pay in advance EMS as well.
The credit card-operated portable defibrillators are over top. To make it worse, they ask whether you will accept a "$2.50 surcharge for using a machine that's not connected to your bank's network."
> I believe there is both an OSHA and an EEOC problem here that should be addressed.
It's cruel and inhuman, I tell ya!
No seriously, my company not only provides cold & hot filtered water, but all the coffee you can drink and popcorn you can eat. Cup-a-Soup too and sometimes cookies. The increased productivity from people not having to leave the office for a coffee break is far greater than the cost of providing snacks.
Combine the pay toilet with the bubbler program,
piss in the fountain
The credit card-operated portable defibrillators are over top.
Who's card you going to use, the shocker or the shockee?
Doesn't matter, just so the zip code you enter matches the one on the billing address.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.