EagleTribune.com : Blogs : The Soapbox

My apologies for the complete absence of posts on this blog for the past month. My advance New Year’s resolution is to visit it much more often. And thanks to you who have stopped by, weighed in and debated with one another. There is not much better than a good argument that sticks to the issue and doesn’t get personal; and one of the best ways to learn new things and how to defend your point of view is to have a good argument with those who see the world differently.
So, thanks again, and keep stopping in.
Now to today’s item on how I see one piece of our little corner of the world:
Why am I not surprised that, among the numerous perks in their current contract, the Massachusetts State Police get a 2.5 raise simply for passing the physical fitness test given every two years. That’s right - a bonus for being in good enough shape to do the job they were hired to do. Does this mean I get a 2.5 percent salary bump for passing a typing test every two years?
Our governor, Deval Patrick, said before he was elected that he was going to eliminate unnecessary spending by combing through the budget. What he really needs to do is comb through union contracts.
How about this: If you don’t pass the test, you get fired.