I would think 100 times before taking a recall. However, I assume that there are many more people who would go back than those who wouldn't?
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No electricians went back to Bellevue because there is better jobs out there. You just have to be a real electrician and not a Bellevue employee running scared with no talent
You would assume wrong.
If you do go back, better wait till the last day to make the decision. That way you have more time to change your mind about quitting your new job. Thats what I did after only having 6 years of service and spending the next 5 years working elsewhere, never expecting a recall. But it came unexpectedly, and I waited till the last day to agree to come back. Then worked another 30 on top of the 6 without ever being furloughed again. The pension was worth it in the end.
At my shop very few people with less than 5 years service accepted the recall. Also very few people with 8+ years service rejected the recall. Some disability benefits are tied to 10 years service, so look for some hasty exits as the older furloughed craft people come back just for their 10 years then suddenly become totally disabled.
Who would want to go back and face mandatory overtime that's doled out to whomever they want. All union rules have been thrown away. You're definitely not going to be treated any better and people have seen they can find jobs with equal pay and better work/life balance. I left 2 years ago with 20 years and haven't been happier.
Many mechanical at my location, a nice quiet area, did not take the recall after several years on the street, I can't blame them. I would not have either, but where I was working didn't pay into RR retirement. If I were to land a job with another RR that pays into RR Retirement, Id be gone too. Their new Conductor hire retention ratio is 50%. Its almost like running off a large percentage of your skilled and dedicated employees was not a good idea.
No electricians went back to Bellevue.
From what I have seen, a lot of furloughed employees did not return when called.