This morning I was dispatched for a disconnect service call. I’m a service plumber, I’ve done hundreds of these for general contractors around town - usually disconnecting lavatories from angle stops, pulling commodes, putting plugs in risers etc. prepping bathrooms/kitchens for demo work, etc. all pretty basic shit really.
The call for disconnects was priority, got put at the top of the list. Even got a personal call from the owner of the service co I work for, to advise me that I would be escorted around the job site by a deputy and to mind my manners.
I arrive on site at some townhouses to find three cops, a locksmith and a property manager. The townhouses are individually owned but all utilities are common metered, meaning there are no individual bills for utilities there, the entire complex gets billed for usage which is then split up amongst the occupied units. When someone stops paying their maintenance fees/utility bills they’re given two months to make arrears, then the complex gets some sort of paperwork that allows them to enter the unit under threat of cop, and physically turn off all the stops/shutoffs/valves, then cut the handles off in such a way that those living there cannot turn the water and gas back on. Even worse, once arrears have been made they require you to call a plumber to come out and replace all the mutilated shutoffs. They even tell you they want you to flush the commode after you shut the water off to it so they cannot even have one last flush. The locksmith is there to get the plumber (me, this time) access to the unit should the people living there decide not to open up. All done with the blessing of the sheriffs office.
This is all done because the property is common metered and there is no individual meter to just call the city up and have the city come pin the meter shut.
So once I figured out what was going on, I informed the property manager that I wouldn’t be entering someone’s home and depriving them of water. I called the office, told the secretary to call my previously scheduled appointment and tell them I’m OTW. didn’t even get out of the parking lot before the owner called, told me I needed to drop off my service truck, clear out my locker, and turn in my keys.
I’m filing for unemployment though I imagine it will get denied for not completing tasks, or not performing work or some shitty nonsense. I won’t take part in denying someone a necessity to survival though so it’s alright. That townhouse will end up having its water shut off in all likelihood but it won’t be before Tuesday or Wednesday next week - coordinating deputies, a locksmith and a plumber will take a while.
You did the right thing, thank you. It’s absolutely immoral to force people in jobs that are there to help people, like plumbers, to participate in breaking into someone’s home to deprive them of the needs to survive. Fuck those cops, fuck the landlord, and fuck your boss in particular.
You rock comrade. Good shit.
Fuck everyone else involved for being ok with it.
Fired for refusing to commit a crime against humanity. Both morally and in liberal international law. May we all have your determination when such a choice comes.
Braver than the troops!!
Thank you for your service
People say congratulations when you get a new job but I say congratulations when you leave one. Congratulations, comrade! 🍺
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Is it hard to find a new job as a plumber? I’m hoping it’s easy.
Given the current panic about not enough people being in the trades, I’m hoping OP finds another position soon
I was once a young kid living in an apartment that had the utilities shut off due to non payment. I didn’t understand why it was so cold or why I couldn’t get a drink of water.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for having integrity and compassion.
same. Happened to my family a couple times growing up. Ran out of food too.
I wish I could say it was solely a moral motivation. I was stricken with a moment of embarrassment and shame at the idea of telling someone I’m there to take something like that away from them. My life is already a hot mess and I don’t need the added complications something like this would bring.
Many of the bravest and most impactful actions flow not from morals but instead grow from a place at our core where we finally acknowledge feeling dissatisfied.
Saying ‘No’ is a revolutionary act.
<3
I dunno that sounds a lot like a good moral motivation to me.
You’re a fucking hero. Happy to throw you a few bucks if you need. DM me if you do.
If more people had half your backbone the world would be a much better place
I would have said “hell yeah” even if you quit for no reason, but damn. Fuck your former boss.
hope you get a union next time