Throwing the older ones out on their duff after decades of service.

Terrible.

As for the other layoffs, maybe they are outsourcing? Is there growth in other branches? It may be a net wash or even a gain.

Burn

there is no difference betwee the WT publishing house and any other corporation in America.

The only thing that makes any difference is the bottom line.

I just wish those in Bethel, instead of being generally arrogant and haughty would examine closely what I know they must have been hearing for the past years and finally act like mature Christians.

Brant

Trying to display a positive spirit, but clearly confused, and more than a bit overwhelmed. Torn away from all their friends after decades of Bethel service, relocated far away from where they lived prior to entering Bethel, and for the first time in decades having to worry about the "normal things" of life (buying your own grocieries, washing your own clothes, cleaning your own toilet, worrying about having enough money, etc.).

I feel quite bad for them, actually - that was a real kick in the stomach. Given their age, they won't have enough time to accumulate any kind of retirement savings, nor accumulate much of a Social Security benefit even if they do find work. They won't be able to "special pioneer" forever - they're pretty much looking at working to earn a living until they die.

The Craptower Dribble and Spit Society is nothing more than a Book Publishing Corporation.

Like any corporation, they are cutting costs. I have said it in these pages before, but it bears repeating:  This is part of a long-term business plan started in the 1990s when the society brought in a brother who was an efficiency expert. At least this is what I was told back then when I was a temp in Walkill.

At the time, I was helping to build a new residence building, which included an entire floor devoted to an infirmary.  Do you think the Society wants to continue to spend millions of dollars expanding its hospital/nursing home floors and the subsequent years of care?  It used to be (former bethelites correct me if I am in error here) that if you had 15 years at Bethel, and you got sick, they kept you and took care of you.  If you had less than 15 years, they sent you back to your home congregation and hoped that they or your family would take care of you.

Now it seems that policy is out the door (along with those precious volunteers).  They can't send back the elderly Bethelites..they just have to wait for them to die. Callous?  Yes.   But that doesn't mean they have to let any more Bethelites get elderly?  Bring them at 19, send them out at 35.  Encourage the brothers in their late 20s to go to MTS (aka that fxxxing Value Destroyer Training School..which I have to agree..it had the opposite effect on me...it discouraged rather than encouraged me...I stuck it out another 5 years).  Encourage the sisters to go to foreign language congregations or other places that need pioneers. 

In the meantime, you have these 35-50 year olds thatthey have to lay off.  Yes, it means losing skilled workers.  But skilled workers do not help the Borg bottom line if they get sick and can't work.  You can be sure they dont have AFLAC for those poor saps.  They can always get more skilled workers.  How? you say, since the GB has all but banned "advanced edcuation"?  Simple.  You bring in brothers who do have degrees and train the younger ones....or you send the Bethelites to school in limited number and keep it quiet. (I know bethelites that did this).  Get a good 10-15 years out of them...then send them packing...Keep repeating this process over and over.  Since they are a Religious Order and NOT a Secular Business (I know, I know...work with me here), they are exempt from laws against discrimination toward the older worker.  Don't be surprised if the new Bethell apps don't reflect a change in wording ....such as "Bethel is not a lifetime appointment and is based on the needs of the Society at any given time."  Hey, many states have "at-will" employment, certainly Bethel can use that as an employment template.

I do think that Bethel will continue to outsource work to foreign lands where the cost of living is cheaper.  Just because the labor is free, the upkeep (food, etc) is not..so if the Society moves more functions to Third World countries, the cost of food is cheaper, the cost of everything is cheaper.  Shipping books back to the US is no problem, especially since there is likely no declared value for import taxes, etc....oh to be a religion instead of a corporation....LOL

Also, be on the lookout for articles in the Kingdumb Misery and Private Craptower encouraging the congregations to assist such ones returning home after decades of faithful service. (where are my puking smiley guys when I need em?)

Yep....I feel bad for them.  I have a friend who has been at Bethel 20 years this year, maybe a bit longer. We went to Pioneer School in 1986, he was accepted to Bethell shortly after.  He is in his late 30s.  He is (or was last I seen him) a bit overweight.  He has family history of health problems.  How long before the actuaries at Bethell decide he is at risk for becoming a liability?  It seems his 20 years is no longer a protection.

Keep us updated on the layoffs....

Snakes ()

maybe the union contract is similar to the UAW... lay off tenure and rehire kids at reduced wage? $14 a month goes a long way!

LMWAO!

~Hill

True.

But.

I distinctly remember hearing from the platform of a Circuit Assembly, in a part extolling Bethel service, this line: "Young ones, the world will chew you up and when they are done with you, when they have no further use for you, they will spit you out. This will never happen in Jehovah's organization."

How many thousands of people took those words, or similar words, and devoted their lives to serving the organization? Had no children, made no plans for the future, earned no money, paid nothing into Social Security, learned no meaningful skills, because they believed what was told to them over and over and over again?

How many of those who believed those promises are now on the "outside", 10 or 15 years away from "retirement age", who are now facing the reality that they can never "retire"? If they want to eat, they will have to work for the rest of their lives? No kids, no Social Security, no retirement savings, nothing? If they live to age 95, they'll have to be working at McDonald's or Wal-Mart or Dollar General until the day they die.

How many of those not yet expelled are looking over their shoulders in fear, thinking "am I next?"

True, Bethel is a business, and can do whatever it wants to, whatever makes fiscal sense. But don't you think it is at least a little unethical to promise (directly or indirectly) all of its workers, that if they choose to make Bethel their "career", they will be taken care of, only to pull the rug out from under their loyal workers right at the point when they cannot just "start over"? Who is going to hire an 55 year old with no skills, no practical work experience?

I don't think it is "hateful" to point out the immorality and hypocrisy of the corporation.