Time to put in my two cents. Someone needs to respond to the “Poor Babies” letter.
I am a casual in Los Angeles/Long Beach and an elementary school teacher. She’s right when she mentions how little school teachers make. It’s true. That is the only thing she got right. Teachers are highly underpaid. But I chose that line of work and I am not about to gripe about it. It’s a good job, low salary and all.
However, you cannot compare the two professions. Longshoremen put their lives on the line every time they go to work. I have had a few close ones on the dock. Has she ever been to a terminal? Does she know what kind of work is done on those ships and on those docks? I do and it isn’t always safe and easy. As a teacher, I have never been injured nor have I known of any of my fellow teachers being hurt on the job. As a casual (only two years), I have known several longshoremen who have had serious injuries. We meet experienced men who are unable to do basic jobs due to neck and back injuries. In the past year, we have had several deaths on the docks. It is a dangerous job at times. That’s one reason for the decent salary.
Another reason? The shipping lines are making BIG BUCKS! They would not agree to a contract if they weren’t doing so well.
Another reason? The union family. Members stick together, pay dues and stick up for their rights.
Sure a starting teacher makes around $30,000 a year. I did. A casual is lucky to make over $10,000 a year (in good times.) We are paying our dues just like any rookies. We risk our lives and spend hundreds or unpaid hours waiting for a job.A friend of mine was a casual for 10 years. 10 years at less than $10,000 a year? Doesn’t sound like a cake walk to me. He earned the right to a decent salary. We know the value of this job and we are working as hard as we can. I compare being a casual longshoreman with being a student teacher. You pay your dues and you learn on the job. Who says that blue collar workers have to get paid poorly?
I am proud to be a teacher AND proud to be a casual. I think maybe this woman should know what she’s talking about before she publicizes her ignorance in the paper.
Just my opinion,
Monica Wood
LA/LB casual
