Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Thrown under the Bus: The rise and fall of an American worker

By Teresa Zerilli-Edelglass

Thrown under the Bus is the cathartic tale of a woman who put herself through college and entered what she thought would be a career in a government job with what most people known by the acronym MTA (Metropolitan Transit Authority), or buses and subways.

Thrown under the Bus takes place in the state of New York, and in the boroughs of New York City, at a time when most of the jobs were held by older white men whose opinion of women is that they should be at home in the kitchen.

There was blatant cronyism. Many male managers did whatever they could to get women to leave, and promotions to supervisory capacity filled by men; regardless of any qualified female candidates.

Being female in this work environment meant harassment, unrealistic expectations, and doing the work of people who should be doing the work because it was their job; not a subordinate who was doing their pay level job.

Working for a government agency isn’t all roses. In Thrown under the Bus, the harassment caused a women unbelievable stress, demotions, and all manner of means to get her to walk away from a career she put herself through college and desired above anything. Yet she persevered as along as humanly possible until such time as the work place became intolerable causing psychological problems.

Going to the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) only exacerbated her problems, and the EEOC representatives sided with her employer. Suing a government entity only caused more problems.

If a hostile work environment was not enough to endure, try having the MTA deny benefits because you have no union representation.

This saga went on for over a decade.

Every congressperson should receive a copy of Thrown under the Bus, and the master at arms should make them read it.

Thrown under the Bus receives five stars out of a possible five stars with a must read recommendation.

Reviewer
Robert Medak
Freelance Writer, Editor, Proofreader, Reviewer, and Blogger


Talon, Flight for Life: Book 3 in the Talon Series

By Gigi Sedlmayer

Talon, Flight for Life is the third book in the Talon series featuring Matica, and her birds (Condors) Tamo, Tima, and their offspring Talon saved from poachers by Matica and her father, Crayn before Talon was born.

Matica cared for Talon as an egg and they have become best friends along with his parents who have a special bond with Matica.

In Talon, Flight for Life Matica and Crayn go on a long trek in preparation for a trip from Peru to Australia; also pick up medicine at the hospital in Cajamarca.

On the trip from her home and back, Matica saw many animals, rain forests, cities with homes and a hotel.
On the way back home, something happens to Matica’s father, Crayn and they must stay on a large bolder overnight.

Without giving anything away, Matica’s birds perform something that surprises Crayn, as the trio of Tamo, Tima, and Talon act with almost human thought and presence of mind that no one believes possible.

To find out more, you will have to read Talon, Flight for Life and see the miraculous trio of birds in action for yourself.

The Talon series is for readers of all ages. Even for parents to read to their children. Talon, Flight for Life is about the bond between parent and child, and the courage that is within each of us and found when the situation arises and one must control themselves in a time of chaos.

Talon, Flight for Life is a five out of five stars read.

Reviewed by
Robert Medak
Freelance Writer/Blogger/Editor/Proofreader/Reviewer