[CAUT] Reasonable job descriptions

[Porritt, David]

Jim:

 

Somehow balance is a most difficult thing.  I think each of us in our
personal lives need to work to make our situation, our job, our family
better.  Andrew Carnegie's comment below I have also heard quoted in my
presence by Winthrop Rockefeller.  It is that drive that causes
improvement but taken to the extreme is the seed of greed.

 

At the same time we also need to learn to be happy with what we have
now.  Managing our resources seems to be a skill learned too late in
life.  As a friend of mine said, "it doesn't matter how much we make,
it's how much we keep."  I really do wish I had learned this when I was
much younger and learned to live better with what I had.

 

Constantly striving for "a little bit more" and sacrificing time with
family, time to grow emotionally is the start of greed.  Being too
content with what we have is the start of laziness.  Balance is so
difficult!!

 

dave

 

David M. Porritt, RPT

dporritt at smu.edu

 

From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of
Jim Busby
Sent: Tuesday, September 09, 2008 7:31 AM
To: College and University Technicians
Subject: Re: [CAUT] Reasonable job descriptions

 

Jon,

 

With no true "credentials" that are universally recognized by
administrators, and when there are ten mediocre techs  eager to accept
CAUT positions at lower salaries, how are we supposed to "stand up" to
upgrade the field? I'm not trying to be a jerk, and I'm not offended by
your rather blunt statements below, because you're absolutely correct;
we "deserve what we are metered out". But if we all did what Jeff did,
would that force the issue with the institutions? Not necessarily!
Precisely because of what you wrote below; "The attitude of the
administration...Dime a Dozen" 

 

Now, what is the solution? The options seem to be the following;

1.       Maintain the "status quo"

2.       Boycott, quit en masse, or otherwise show solidarity and force
the issue

3.       Gradually upgrade each situation individually, one at a time

4.       Establish a CAUT credential as Eric, Fred and the CAUT
committee is  trying to do.

5.       (A combination of the above #3 and #4)

 

My choice is #5; to push for a credential while trying to upgrade my own
situation. I have been offered twice the money in the private sector,
but that would mean I'd have to abandon the only place where I may be
able to have some influence on the situation. It would be comparable to
someone angrily quitting the union instead of staying in and trying to
change it from within.

 

Now, I really respect Jeff and don't mean to say ill of him quitting,
because he needed to quit for many reasons. I like it that he is so
relieved and happy with what he's doing now. I have considered doing the
same for years. But as I mentioned last month, this job is MUCH more
than the salary represented. (My "20 reasons" post) But alas, I still
long for more...

 

When Andrew Carnegie was asked "How much is the perfect wage? What
should be the standard salary for anyone?" He responded, "I know the
answer. Here is the salary that everyone should have; A little bit
more."

 

Regards,

Jim Busby

 

 

 

From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of
Jon Page
Sent: Monday, September 08, 2008 4:28 PM
To: caut at ptg.org
Subject: [CAUT] Reasonable job descriptions

 

	If universities require so much experience

	with concert level tech ability, then they should cough up the
bucks and

	pay for it.  Their reputation is on the line. There's got to be
a way to

	open these folks eyes to see what they have to lose, but I don't
know what

	it is.....

 

Why should they, their offers are being met by yourselves. JeffTanner

seems to be the only guy standing up to upgrade this very field.  Kudos.

 

If you don't have the tenacity to make it on your own in the private
sector,

accept what your are metered out.

 

Personally I think it is disgraceful what is paid for piano technicians
at a

caut setting where comparable administrative positions (bureaucrats)

receive a pay grade in multiple factors.

 

We just have not yet come into our own, just yet.

 

As long as 'become a piano tuner' is promoted on the back of a pack of
matches,

what kind of credibility can there be.  Alright maybe exaggerated a bit,
I haven't

actually seen the advert.  But you get my intention.   But that's the
attitude

of the administration, Dime a Dozen.

 

Put in for more money. Get reclassified if it is a state pay grade. Why
should

piano techs. Are p-techs on the same grade as custodians (janitors)?

 

Even Dr. Phil says, "(In ways) You tell people how to treat you."

 

Gotta go, have more to say...

-- 


Regards,

Jon Page

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