Back then, you had to call in and get management "approval" (which was almost never granted) to take 30 minutes. We are adults, why should we have to call in and beg for permission to a management person whose only goal is to try and screw us out of 30 minutes of pay?
It is approached the same way here when a driver wants to skip their 30 minute lunch.
Management claims that we need to get their permission first?
Our supplement states that we
"are required to take a 30 minute unpaid lunch break between the 3rd and 6th hour".
To me that affords no wiggle room for either party and management's assertion that we need their permission clearly constitutes an extra contractual agreement, which is also prohibited per the collective bargaining agreement.
On the extremely rare occasion that I find it necessary to skip my lunch and breaks, I never ask permission.
When questioned as to why I didn't ask, I respond that they don't ask my permission when they break the contract, so why would I ask for theirs when I do?
In the end, I think we should try and remember that these rules were conceived and fought for over decades of strife and toil and are designed for the betterment of the collective whole, not the needs of the individual.
Be thankful for our predecessors who sacrificed to give us what we have today.
We need to protect these rights, rather than selfishly piss them away for self perceived needs or wants.
In doing so, we do a great disservice to the brave women and men who did the job before us.
