Night Classes

[Anonymous]

I go to night school because i droped out when i was younger and then realised the only defense one has agaisnt exploitation in this world is your self. Either you educate your self and escape slavery or your fucked basicly, a few years working thought me that. Anyway i went back to school now night school last year, it realy isnt that bad if you do work and do find the patience to go to 5 or 6 classes after work. If you work hard you can even do 3 years in 2 or in 1 its all up to you. However there are alot of things that are wrong with the system right now: the books for these classes realy suck, you have to study by your self which is kinda hard for me and most of the guys, some of the people i know are there because they want to climb the ladder within there work places rather than go to college and i have heard many tales of people that make an effort to work and study at the same time and in the end get sacked because the boss doesnt want to pay them more or promote them i feel the legislation doesnt work the way it should to protect those of us in this situation, when you are a student worker you have a legal statue that allows you certain privilegies like the legal premition to skip work on the eve of an exame once again in many cases (i know from expirience and hear say) you are not allow to skip work and are threated with unemployment this is ilegal but its how it works here. There are other complaints but these are the main problems, some of you know working is hard (at least for some of us) but try working and studying by your self, and then try doing that with no conditions at your school and an abusive boss that bakes the already precarious laws made to defend you the worker student...

Any of my che-lives comrades in the same situation? how does it work in US or UK ? do bosses respect the law and teachers give a shit or do you always get the sort end of the stick? I am curious..

[booga]

well im going to a private technical school and it gives me the creeps but i guess they are supportive but only to an extent. it seem these day people have to "fight" their own personal battles as well as try to focus on "bigger issues" at the same time. basically it comes down to this for most of us (and we are the fortunate ones!) work hard, study hard, pay alot, sacrafice alot, expect nothing but have preferences. you dont get what you pay for these days but that okay because we have POWER oh yes, you will soon discover. :)

way to go compa...im proud of you!

[RedCeltic]

Well, El Che, I'm a part time student myself, and also am a Plumber. However, I'm going to college, and want to get out of the trade I'm in while I'm still fairly young, and not tied down. Plumbing can be rough work, and most people who stay in it all their life end up with bad backs when they are in their 50's.

When I was working the trade in a non union company, the boss would send helpers to trade school. However, only those he liked alot. I was never selected, so I did saved my money and went to a few nite classes on my own. I was shocked that it anoyed him, and he said, "Don't think you'll get a promotion out of it."...

Later, I was laid off when a few of us started to bring in the union. It wasn't a big deal to me then, as I recieved a phone call the nexed day and recieved a union job on the spot.

What I didn't like about the union, was that it was all about who you know. If you wanted to go to aprenticeship school... you had to get on a list for about two years. Unless, you knew someone who would bump you up to the top.

Also, when a project is done, many are lain off... and have to congrigate at the union hall every day, waiting to be put on another project. Unless, you knew someone, then you didn't have to go through all that.

[Chancho]

Very interesting stories - thanks guys. El_Che, it sounds like your employer is simply an ignorant bastard. During my full time law degree I worked (still do for the moment) part time. I was lucky enough to have a flexible and understanding employer - and also have a strong work ethic and so made sure I was a good employee.

Nonetheless, having been a union organiser for 2 years, I know that such employers are extremely rare.

Your options depend upon how dependent you are on that particular job. If you feel you can have a frank discussion with your boss about exactly what your needs are and how they can best be accomodated to suit both parties, then I recommend trying that. If that is out of the question, is it possible for you to shift your hours around?

If you are truly locked in then the only thing I can suggest is trying to establish a better rapport with your employer (not always possible, I know). Of course, joining a union would be a great move - is this possible? Just trying to help!