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Title: 82 year old WWII vet fired for saying "faggot"
Source:
NY Post
URL Source: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/ ... slip_at_MOZ5751swgmYDMmAS8SVWK
Published: Mar 7, 2011
Author: CHRIS ERIKSON
Post Date: 2011-03-07 07:39:04 by Happy Quanzaa
Keywords: faggot, fudgepacker, butt boys, butt buddies, bunghole boys
Views: 32433
Comments: 37
After 54 years working for American Airlines, Freddy Schmitt says he just wants the same thing the US Army gave him six decades ago -- an honorable discharge. Instead, the 82-year-old WWII vet was handed his walking papers after allegedly using a derogatory term for gays during a workplace bull session about "Don't Ask Don't Tell." The fact that Schmitt was defending gay soldiers' right to serve -- "Back then, a faggot coulda saved my life" -- hasn't changed the airline's decision. Neither has his blemish-free employment record, nor the pleas of former JFK co-workers upset over the axing of their buddy known as "Papa Freddy." Schmitt had little to say about the remark in December that got him fired last month as a ground-crew worker following a suspension and two hearings. He just wishes he could have stayed on the job until November, when he was planning to retire with a milestone under his belt. "It would look nice, going out with 55 years," Schmitt said. "After 54 years, all I want is to go out in good faith." Schmitt is appealing the termination through arbitration, but the process can take months, according to union officials. Nobody disputes that Schmitt -- a baggage crew chief -- used the term, or that the pugnacious Brooklyn native didn't exactly grovel with remorse when reprimanded by a supervisor. But the context should be taken into account, say Schmitt's former airline crewmates. "This guy is like everybody's father here," said co-worker Jack Sullivan, who said it hurts to see his colleague of 26 years tossed out. Under the terms of the firing, Schmitt retains his pension but loses his health benefits -- and the travel privileges his wife of 45 years, Viola, so enjoyed.
'Pink slip' at 82
Airline veteran's gay-slur remorse
Freddy Schmitt
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Begin Trace Mode for Comment # 32.
#1. To: Happy Quanzaa, lucysmom (#0)
What that guy needs is a good union to fight for his rights.........
but the process can take months, according to union officials.
Like I said, he could use a strong union that puts the fear of God in employers who fire employees on whims. What happened to this man is exactly the system the Republicans advocate for - employers can fire or abuse employees at their whim and if employees don't like then they should quit.
So what do you want, a union strong enough to make firing someone take years instead of months? This is NYC you moron, you're not going to find unions any stronger anywhere in the world. They can't even fire union teachers there no matter how bad they are, they pay union pedophile perverts who have to be removed from the classroom to sit around in the Rubber Room until they're old enough to retire.
Then what happened to this old man is exactly how you want the world to work. So shut up and take it.
People like HQ think they know what they want, but haven't really thought it through.
People like HQ think they know what they want, but haven't really thought it through. I am going to send a thank you letter to the airline for firing this man and upholding the principal that private businesses are our lords and masters and can do whatever they want to their serf employees. I mean, give these union thug freeloaders like this old man who got fired an inch and pretty soon we are like Cuba..........
You are a idiot that doesn't even understand what a private business is,or that they have the right to hire and fire anybody they want.
A young woman called our local radio lawyer because her employer didn't allow his employees to take breaks though he deducted the time from their pay checks, didn't pay them for the hour or two clean-up time after his restaurant closed, and had a habit of approaching them from behind and rubbing his crouch against them. He only hired young women. The young women were afraid to complain to anyone because they needed to work and couldn't afford to be unemployed. That is the kind of abuse that goes on all the time when the employer holds all the cards and the employee has no one to represent him or her. (though after the phone call with the lawyer I have a feeling one particular employer's world is going to change dramatically) It is all well and good to say "go get another job" however it isn't always that easy. Three cheers for the free market that magically corrects itself.
A private business owner has the right to run his business in any manner he wants,but this does NOT mean he has the right to cheat or physically abuse/assault his employees. That is the kind of abuse that goes on all the time when the employer holds all the cards and the employee has no one to represent him or her. That is just your statist state of mind speaking. The first time he tried any of that crap his employees should have told him to stick it up his ass and walked out the door. On top of that they should have called the cops and the labor relations board to report his crimes. People living in a free society have the RIGHT to walk off any job they want any time they want. It is only is the statists societies that you dream of that workers are prisoners.
#33. To: sneakypete (#32)
I guess its hard for some to imagine how others could be imprisoned by need.
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#2. To: Godwinson (#1)
#5. To: A K A Stone, Happy Quanzaa, Rudgear, lucysmom (#2)
but the process can take months, according to union officials.
#6. To: Godwinson (#5)
process can take months, according to union officials.
#7. To: Happy Quanzaa (#6)
So what do you want, a union strong enough to make firing someone take years instead of months?
#8. To: Godwinson, Happy Quanzaa (#7)
Then what happened to this old man is exactly how you want the world to work. So shut up and take it.
#9. To: lucysmom, Happy Quanzaa (#8)
To: Godwinson, Happy Quanzaa Then what happened to this old man is exactly how you want the world to work. So shut up and take it.
#22. To: Godwinson (#9)
I am going to send a thank you letter to the airline for firing this man and upholding the principal that private businesses are our lords and masters and can do whatever they want to their serf employees.
#24. To: sneakypete (#22)
You are a idiot that doesn't even understand what a private business is,or that they have the right to hire and fire anybody they want.
#32. To: lucysmom (#24)
A young woman called our local radio lawyer because her employer didn't allow his employees to take breaks though he deducted the time from their pay checks, didn't pay them for the hour or two clean-up time after his restaurant closed, and had a habit of approaching them from behind and rubbing his crouch against them. He only hired young women.
Replies to Comment # 32. People living in a free society have the RIGHT to walk off any job they want any time they want. It is only is the statists societies that you dream of that workers are prisoners.
End Trace Mode for Comment # 32.
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