Get Up, Stand Up

Well I had my orientation today at Mount Washington. Lots of people. First half was ok. I was pretty impressed by their environmental plan. Sounds like they're aiming to run the mountain vehicles (groomers, trucks, etc) on bio-diesel within a few years, and they recycle water that is used to spray the bikes down in the summer, and dirt that is dug up for new buildings is reused on mountain bike trails. Another cool thing is that since they were only able to open for 2 weekends last year (worst year in 27 year history), they're honoring last year's season's passes for this year. I thought that was really cool, even though it puts them in considerable financial risk. So I was feeling good, but then while we're filling out our paperwork, they announce that we're not getting paid for today. I look around and no one seems shocked. I start whispering to ppl and they just make excuses for the company. Nuh uh. Not on my time. I start asking people in charge and they say that techincally, today is our 'final interview'. Apparently we're not actually 'hired' yet. FUCKING BULLSHIT I SAY. Not only had I already confirmed that I was hired, but everyone in charge was referring to it as an orientation, not a 'final interview'. So I find the president of the mountain and ask who I should speak to about an important issue (no point burning bridges with him I thought). My supervisors hadn't even shown up! Final interview? Who do they think we are? During lunch, I start talking to people, and some ppl seemed upset too, but nobody made it sound like they were gonna give it any further thought. So I go up to the payroll lady and ask if it's mandatory that we attend the whole orientation and she says yes. So then I tell her that we should be getting paid. She says no. I says, 'look, not mandatory OR paid, pick one'. But she doesn't buy it, she just asks for my full name. Fat chance, lady. So I stuck around for the scavenger hunt and some lame speeches before we were sent home. The first half had been decent, but the second half was pure cheese, made more agro by the fact that this was somehow voluntary and mandatory at the same time. Everyone was cheering during the 'get stoked about working for us' video and oh god, I almost thrusted vomit from my gut over teh entire room. As soon as I got home, I called Labour Relations and verified that I'm entitled to be paid for today, so I've printed out a form and I'm gonna fill it out and serve it to my supervisor who I've only seen once (yay, great start to a season). The form basically says they have 15 days to pay me or else I'm filing a complaint with the Labour Board.

People, we've got to start fighting for our rights. Even when I win this thing (when, not if), only I'll get reimbursed, not the other 200 people that were there. Don't expect someone else to have a spine for you, it's your life, your time. I got up at 6:15 today and drove an hour and spent 20 bucks of my own money in gas to deal with this shit. And that's nothing. There are people all over the country and world facing far worse working conditions. We can afford the luxury of fighting back. Most people around the world can't (or can, but are too scared). We're lucky enough to live in a country that has regulations in place protecting us in situations like this. If we don't fight for ourselves, no one will. End transmission....