Topic: Sick Leave

A nationwide freight rail strike looms as several major unions rejected a tentative agreement over the lack of paid sick leave. President Biden has claimed he is not directly involved in talks, contradicting statements from the White House Press Secretary. A strike, potentially starting December 9, could cost the U.S. economy $1 billion in its first week and cause massive disruptions to holiday shipping and food supplies.

A dispute over paid sick time has stalled negotiations between major US freight railroads and their unions, raising the possibility of a strike as early as November 19th. The Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees rejected a deal that lacked paid sick leave, potentially halting 30% of the nation's freight. There is speculation regarding the political timing of the strike and its impact on the Biden administration and the upcoming midterms.

Senator Bernie Sanders questioned whether railroad CEOs would face termination for medical emergencies, highlighting the disparity between executive benefits and worker attendance rules. The commentary focuses on the "do wonder" linguistic tell as a potential indicator of insincerity.

Jen Psaki attempts to "prepare" the public for poor jobs numbers, blaming the Omicron spike for 9 million people calling out sick during the data collection period. The hosts mock this explanation, questioning how sick leave translates directly to job losses in the official data. They view it as a desperate attempt to manage negative economic narratives.

The DSA Austin chapter claimed credit for several local political victories, including a city ordinance for paid sick leave and pressuring Congressman Lloyd Doggett to support Medicare for All. A member described joining the movement to cope with economic frustrations like high rent and lack of job benefits. The chapter's growth is attributed to providing a community that relieves the "burdens of capitalism" through mutual aid.

A veteran second-grade teacher in San Francisco battling breast cancer is forced to pay for her own substitute teacher after exhausting her ten days of sick leave. The hosts explain the California law that requires teachers to fund their replacements out of their own salaries during extended leave. They note that a GoFundMe campaign raised $14,000 to assist the teacher, highlighting flaws in the union-negotiated benefits.

Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak sign off for the day, promising to return on Thursday. The final segments include a strange, looped clip of a conversation regarding "lawn clippings" and chewing coca leaves for altitude sickness in Peru, followed by the show's signature "Adios Mofos" exit.

Sir Patrick Coble announces a honeymoon trip to Machu Picchu. John Dvorak shares his personal experiences in the Andes, recommending the use of coca leaves and tea to combat altitude sickness. He describes the traditional method of chewing the leaves and the physical benefits for travelers in high-altitude regions.

A former supervisor at an air pollution district advised employees to exhaust their sick leave before resigning, as it is rarely paid out upon departure. The strategy involved calling in with "general malaise" on Mondays or Fridays to avoid accumulating excessive leave. This anecdote serves as a humorous counterpoint to the rigid behavioral monitoring suggested in FEMA training.

John Dvorak recounts a trip to the Andes mountains where he used coca leaves to combat altitude sickness. While younger American travelers refused the leaves due to their association with cocaine, Dvorak found them essential for maintaining energy at high altitudes. He describes "breezing past" exhausted millennials on a hike because he utilized the local traditional remedy.

A discussion regarding the spread of the flu highlights the lack of mandated sick leave for young workers in service industries. Employees at high-traffic locations, such as the San Francisco Ferry Building, are reportedly forced to work while ill, contributing to the rapid spread of the virus. The hosts argue that this lack of legislative protection is a significant public health oversight.