A community of 30,000 US Transcriptionist serving Medical Transcription Industry

May 1st sickout and MTSOs. - sm

Posted: Apr 23, 2012

Don't let the threats by MTSOs scare you. It is true that in most state employment is "at will" but if they fire people for calling in sick, equipment problems, ill child, power failure, etc. they WILL be paying unemployment for all those people which will be a big financial hit. They are the ones that are scared. Why do you think there are so many "suit" posts on this board trying to discourage this organized demonstration? As far as MTSOs and ICs go, ICs are on their own as they have signed a contract for a specific pay for a specific period of time. However, if ICs do participate and are let go, they have their contract to fall back on. Additionally, any transcriptionists who are considered ICs by the MTSO but are being treated as employees CAN collect unemployment benefits if you can prove you are being told when, where or how to do your work (personal experience here). This can also result in an IRS investigation and fines.

So...have some courage ladies (and gents) . The worst that could happen is you collect unemployment for a few weeks or months until you find a new and better job. If you cannot participate, please, for goodness sake, support the efforts of your fellow MTs for goodness sake!

I am one you called a suit.... of which I am not - uraknat

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You are so delusional... You have nothing to lose as apparently, you have no job, which is probably because you could not cut it in the big, grown up world of MT Land. I think you have too much time on your hands and apparently could benefit from SOME TYPE OF A JOB and leaving the rest of us alone. Trying to SHOVE DOWN OUR THROATS your beliefs is obviously not working, as evident in the posts by people who are just plain sick of this nonsense (all of which are not suits).

PS... When you say the worst that can happen is that you will collect unemployment for a few weeks.... LETS THINK LONG AND HARD ABOUT THAT ONE! The worst that can happen is that these people cant find another MT job paying what they make now, and cannot feed their families, and lose their cars and homes... That is THE WORST THAT CAN HAPPEN.

Huh? - nm

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.

huh? - really?

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Good luck with all that, but have you considered this? - sm

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The unhappy MTs may be the majority when it comes to posting on this board, but that may not necessarily be so in reality. I know many MTs, 3 different companies, and otherwise. We all went home to work because we could make more money. We still do. Our company, benefits, PT, OT, pay, etc. is all fair. The companies require a ridiculously low line requirement, and that you be an accurate and reliable MT. That's it. You would be surprised how many simply cannot live up to that expectation.

Now why would we want to strike and put our positions in jeopardy over a few disgruntled MTs on this board particularly, who we do not know, and who may be their own worst enemy in all of this. There are so many who say, "I have 10-20 years experience. I deserve more money." Really? Are you one of the MTs who insists on doing things their way because you have sooo many years experience. Are you one who does not show up time and time again to complete her shift? How much do you think you deserve? How much do you think you are going to make outside of the MT industry. Why are you staying in a low-paying job?

This economy has not just affected the MT industry. There are a couple of MTs I know, as well as myself, whose husbands have lost their jobs and cannot even find a minimum wage job at present. We are making $35,000 to $40,000, you want us to strike?? You state the worst that can happen is that we go on unemployment for a couple months until we find something different. Are you serious? No, that is definitely not the worst that can happen. We are now the sole bread winners with families to feed and support. I do not begrude those who do strike, but I do begrude those who think we should as well.

While I might agree with a nationwide spending strike, I certainly do not agree with good MTs putting good jobs at risk, or hurting their companies because their fellow MTs, whom we do not know, are unhappy for whatever reason.

Have you ever thought you might be working for the wrong company? I have been there and I have also been on employment through no fault of my own. You take some personal responsibility here. As many jobs that are posted for MT every single day here and otherwise, and you can't find suitable employment that you can live on? Really....? Time for a reality check by looking in the mirror.

I agree that 4 cpl for VR is low, UNLESS there is very little correcting to be done. VR is being misused and all statistics reveal that. This will take care of itself in time. However, one MT said she could not make it on 8 cpl. Why? When I made 8 cpl, my income was $36,000 to $38,000 per year. I have 25 years experience, which is to my benefit, along with my work quality and reliability. You want more than that? Good luck, so does everyone else, and striking is not going to get it for you (this is reality). The reality is also, you are in a position to leave whenever you would like. To be brutally honest, I have been in a position where I was making right at $50,000 a year. I worked M-F from 7:00 to 2:30. No nights, weekends, and extra pay if we got behind. My income has been cut $10,000. No, I do not like it, but I am lucky to have a job that I am happy with and paid more than anywhere else I can go, including behind you in the unemployment line. Others would feel fortunate to have my job.

This striking and union Kool-Aid being passed around is nothing new, my dear. As in the past, the unhappy MTs on this board are only the majority here, not in totality. You constantly whine and complain about your work. You insult ALL MTSOs whether they deserve it or not. You belittle any MTs who are happy and make good money, calling them suits and liars. Misery loves company I guess. This striking business is a desperate measure that has not gotten anyone anywhere in the past, and it will not this time. You need to either wise up, improve your own situation by improving your work ethic or getting out of the business entirely and see how much better you do. Your demands will fall on deaf ears. But I guess doing this is your last hope before you have to look in the mirror and make some life changes, if you are motivated enough to, and realize you have a job you could improve upon, change to another company, or get out. Again, there are many who can take 8 cpl and turn it into a good living. There are many who will not stay in a job with no work. Are you not capable of making a change? If that is true, therein lies the real problem.

Your miracle is not going to happen on May 1. But hey, no one is forcing you to stay.

Like! - (nm)

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Like, like, like!

Really?? - anon

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Where do you and your buddies work that you can make that much money? Honestly, that is rare these days and for the past few years for an MT working at home to make that much money as you state. I bust my butt working fulltime and made 25,000 last year (9 months of income), and I am a single mom, raising 2 small children and take my work very seriously, always on time, work my entire shift etc. Anyone can state they make a certain amount of money on a board. You should share this great company you work for.
But, I do agree with what you said in your post regarding the original posters message. Most of us can't afford to risk losing our job for silliness like that. I, for one, have kids to feed and I am doing it all on my own.

For all striking May 1, do something productive with your life. - sm

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Look for ways to improve your situation. Test with different companies. Look at what is available outside of the MT industry. It is going to take more than this to help yourselves.

Been there. Done that. Doesn't work. Why? - Because all MTSOs are cheating us. nm

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XX

didn't work for YOU. You had a bad MTSO. Mine is fine. - NM

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gas.

and we have a winner!!! Dingdingding!!! - Unions Are Dead

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Beautifully articulated for those of us in a like position in life as you.

If the current corporate takeover of America doesn't - get smacked down, there will be - sm

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far worse things happening in this country than (gasp!) unions.

You need to project your mind a little farther into the future, and with a lot more openness.

I do look ahead - to 2030 :) NM - Unions Are Dead

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Your retirement date, perhaps? Good luck with THAT. - Retirement is (Almost) Dead

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Brava!! - Very well put

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I've been in the hiring position and I know there are transcriptionists who state I have xx years experience and think that makes them god's gift to transcription. Then they don't show up, they don't look up a drug name, they do it their way because "that's how I've always done it." I seriously think it is those transcriptionists who will be "striking" (and I'm sorry, what a joke that you think taking a day off work will be impactful).

Personal responsibility. Don't take a job that pays too low. Once the companies paying for cheap labor realize that the only people they can/will get are the MTs who are not capable of being successful at reputable companies, maybe then you'll see a change.

Until then, do we REEEEEAAALLLYYYY have to have this crap here day in and day out? Can't you make your own message board and leave this one alone? The negativity here is bad enough, stirring in all this crap just makes it less and less appealing to be here.

I agree. It is hard for happy MTs to use this board. - We get it guys. You are unhappy

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It seems to be pretty much the same MTs on here day in and day out, instead of working of course. Happy MTs are unable to post here without being called liars or ridiculed for seeking or providing useful and helpful information for them to continue to succeed in their careers, discuss good/bad companies, or MT practices.

We get it that many are unhappy with their jobs due to many reasons, some of them self-inflicted, some probably not, who knows. There are good MTs as well as bad, and good MTSOs as well as bad. You can only provide so much sympathy every single day. Many of us have been where you have. You get motivated and make a change, suck it up, or get out. All the whining and complaining changes nothing. Seek help and advice here, as there are successful MTs, and not every single one of us are unhappy with our jobs.

Every one has the right to post, complain, advise, motivate and sympathize. Let the happy MTs do that as well. You may look down on us, consider us cowards, and on and on; some even say we are not "intelligent" because we do not feel the need to "unionize, organize, or strike" when we simply do not find it necessary. This comes up time and time again, MTs come and they go, and it never changes anything, but go ahead, knock yourselves out, but live and let live.

AMEN ! - CaliMT

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Thankful someone else also telling the truth!! Why strike? get real....

Beautifully said. nm - wannie

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nm

yeah - you go ahead, let us know how that comes out. - question

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You REALLY, REALLY think they'd tell you the REAL reason you are fired in the even of being canned for calling off on strike day? are you thinking at all???

I hope my company DOES fire me. I can make - more money on unemployment. ;p

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CC

Seriously?! - therearehappymts

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What a plan! I am sure that most hard-working taxpayers can't wait to support your entitlement mentality. It is one thing to find yourself temporarily on unemployment through no fault of your own. It is another thing entirely to intentionally sabotage your employer and your own career so that the taxpayers can add another anchor to their necks. The world does not owe you a living. Use that fabulous mind of yours to do something with your life that will make you happy, productive, and self-reliant. If transcription no longer works for you then kindly move along and find something that does. Transcription does not have to be where your bitter story lingers.

Seriously. And BTW - UE is something I've been - paying into for 40 yrs. Its MY $$. nm

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X

Not previous OP, but not it is not only YOUR $$. - OMG, how sad.

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This mentality is why hard-working MTs are not going to back up someone like you. I hardly know how to respond to a post like yours. You have lost any and all credibility, or desire for anyone to help you. "Your money" indeed.

To - IT'S MY $$ - You have never paid a dime of that. - You do realize

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It is not YOUR money. YOU have never paid a dime into UE. Employers are the ones who pay State Unemployment Insurance, my dear, not employees.

Good grief, is this the mentality of the MTs who want us to strike for their benefit??? No wonder.

Ding-Dong YOU are wrong - Oh Snap

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Box 14 of your W2 - I reside in PA - I pay into State Unemployment Insurance.
Granted, it's negligible, but it's there in black and white. So the other MT was right, she HAS paid into it.

To SNAP, ding dong. Do you know where she is from. Only 3 - states have minimal UE tax.

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I am certainly not against anyone who collects UE and needs it. What I read here is a different matter entirely.

Yes, and whose pocket does SUI come out of? - NOT theirs, but their workers.

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I've worked full-time, non-stop since 1970. I've never been unemployed for even one day. I've always gone directly from job to job. But that was back when there were jobs to go to.

Until the year 2008, I always got every single job I ever applied for. But now that has changed. I've been applying here there and everywhere since 2008, with no interest on the part of the MTSOs or hospitals, and only ONE interview, which was 2 years ago.

So yes, if I happen to get fired for taking the first "day off" I've taken in almost 7 years (unpaid, of course), to participate in a nationwide demonstration of free speech, then yes, I will HAPPILY accept unemployment. NOT to sit on my butt, as you would insinuate, but to look for work full-time, and perhaps get more training.

You're so quick to judge others. So haughty in your "I will NEVER strike!" stance. Whatever. Believe what you will about yourself, and your me, me, always me lack of community or activism.

But just remember that there are MANY advantages you, and the rest of us, have in life, or maybe we even OWE OUR OWN LIVES - to one or more people in the past who stuck their necks out for US.

Are you kidding ??? Truly Insane !! - shutthefrontdoor

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I have briefly read this post -- and cannot believe this.

Are. You. Kidding?

Truly. Insane!

they can and will...also, can ask for PROOF...hmmmm - nm

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I'm actually appalled that you're actively encouraging others - To jeopardize their livelihood

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I support your right to attempt to "rally the troops," so to speak; however, your constant barrage of posts actively encouraging others to throw caution to the wind and have some "courage" is really pushing that proverbial envelope, IMO.

Those who want to join you in your "sick out" or whatever term it is will do so; those who don't care to join you do not need to have it insinuated that they don't have enough "courage". To insinuate it's no big deal to lose one's job, particularly in the current economic climate, is assinine.

And, no, I'm not a suit. In fact, I'm sure many of us who do not agree with what you are doing but are attempting to remain civil are NOT suits at all...just "grunts" in the trenches with everyone else who aren't willing to throw our success (not all of us are failures, BTW) to the wind to support your cause.

Seriously, if a lot of naive MTs end up losing their jobs because they join up with you based on your posts, I hope you can still sleep at night, what with all of the manipulative techniques you're attempting with your posts.

I'm appalled that you or anyone considers MT a - "livelihood".

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