Cosmo @nibble4bits@qoto.org

The railroad workers may strike soon, which will decimate the US supply chain. Before you complain that you can’t find your favorite crackers or shampoo at the store, please acknowledge the reasons why rail workers are striking:

· The rank-and-file workers that run the trains have been on call, 24-7 for years due to the new normal of skeleton crews. Trains are running with crews of one or, in some cases, none as remote control (yes, you read that right) is now allowed. They can’t plan to attend their daughter’s birthday party or their brother’s wedding.

· Currently, under their present contract, they have zero paid sick leave. They must give 30 days notice for a doctor’s appointment or family emergency. The Presidential Emergency Board (PEB) contract terms proposed by the Biden admin gives them 1 paid sick day.

· Railroad companies’ profit is soaring. Rather than sharing that windfall with the rank and file, profit is paid out in stock dividends or used for stock buybacks (a practice that artificially boosts stock performance).
Railroad company profits (for 3-month periods, not yearly!):
- Union Pacific $1.84 billion in - 2nd quarter 2022
- BNSF $1.66 billion (up 10%) in 2nd quarter 2022
- CSX $1.11 billion (up 15%) in 3rd quarter 2022 on 2% more freight

One more thing – If the railroad workers do go on strike, Congress is likely to vote to force them back to work. Historically, these types of resolutions have seen high levels of bipartisan support because Congress is not pro-worker, they are classists that protect the interests of Wall Street and the stock ownership class above all else.

#Solidarity #union #unionstrong
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rv_vG9i8AmQ&t=1s

It’s good to see engagement and use growing here. It would be healthy to have a social platform free of the billionaire oligopoly and the corporate ad folks, don’t you think?

⌛️Judge sets Trump’s New York fraud trial date for Oct. 2023📌

https://breaking.iavian.net/article/322785

MAGA says they're going to indict Biden but that Trump can't be indicted because he's a former president and they're gonna indict Hunter because he made $5 million when his father was VP but it's okay Ivanka made $640 million when her dad was president.

Guess who’s playing Elon on Jimmy Kimmel tonight? He’s gonna be mad again.

For environmental reasons, I will not be leaving coal in anyone's stocking this year.

Those on the naughty list will instead get a 1 month subscription to #Twitter Blue.

The first black child ever allowed to attend a white school is only 68 years old now.
White parents pulled their children from school. White teachers refused to teach her.
Ruby Bridges now works as an activist & public speaker
This wasn’t a million years ago. /1

It's a heavy day for all of us.

If you are in a bad place for ANY REASON, or just need someone to talk to, I implore you to reach out.

Trevor project lifeline:
📱 1-866-488-7386
text START to 678-678
🌐 https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help/

We love you. We need your light. This world is a better place with you in it.

#TDoR

Mastodon has changed how I think. Twitter now seems like a server that doesn't want to federate with anyone else, and that everyone else has blacklisted. I'm in awe of how much sense that makes.

Mastodon may never draw in as many daily users as Twitter has, but it has already exceeded Truth Social.

I am very pleased to see @georgetakei is having a good time here. After the nonsense that went down with wil wheaton its really nice to see him welcomed.

His eyes uncovered!🖖🏻

Apparently Reddit likes me 😊
(Not on Reddit myself)

If you want to see Mastodon at its best, strongly recommend these options:

Android - Use apps Tusky or Fedilab

iPhone/iPad - Use apps Metatext or Toot!

💻 Computers - Log in through your server's website

Mastodon was designed for websites and third party apps. These are *still* the best ways to use Mastodon!

(Official app exists because new people were only looking for an official app in app stores, and giving up when they didn't find one. You don't need to use it!)

One of the dumbest things a smart person can do is to start thinking they’re smarter than everyone else.

Today is #LGBTQSTEMDay ! A day to celebrate all the LGBTQ+ people who work in or study science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. I’m proud to be a part of a worldwide community of amazing people doing amazing things!