BN Oly Wrote:
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> I have worked for construction companies, car
> dealerships and now in a professional work
> environment and the fact that WSOR or Watco doesnt
> give their employees bottle water is a miserable
> quibble to have. Do you expect your employer to
> feed you as well? Clothe you when you show up?
> Bring your own water in a reusable bottle along
> with your food, etc etc.
>
> This entitled attitude that everybody owes you
> something is sickening. All an employer owes you
> is fair treatment (ie no discrimination, not free
> water) and compensation in line with agreed upon
> terms. They arent obligated to pay for your way
> to and from work, clothing, medicine or any of
> that. If you were not working you would have to
> get that yourself too so get a grip.

Yes, it's clear that you've never worked for a railroad, but thanks for confirming it.

Traditionally, railroads have provided their employees with reasonable access to drinking water. The reason is to keep the employee hydrated to minimize the possibility of heat stroke or exhaustion. UP, for example, has written guidelines are how and when to keep hydrated, which is especially important for employees who work outside. The operating crafts (trainmen, switchmen and enginemen) have provisions in their collective bargaining agreements that deal with it, as do maintenance of way, mechanical, and clerical employees. If there is a heat exhaustion-related injury, the railroad will attempt to show liability on the part of the employee if they can prove that he or she willfully failed to keep hydrated. A number of railroads also are now providing their employees with energy drinks during hot weather months for added hydration.

Since you worked in the construction industry, it's likely that you noticed that many employers provide some sort of drinking water on-site or on their company vehicles, often in some sort of Igloo water jug.

So now that we've got that cleared up, maybe you'd like to tell me which of those shortlines that are Class 1 spin-offs are paying their employees $100K per year. I might be tempted to come out of my early retirement.