...Christmas Eve. When the latest agreement expired at 1200AM GMT, on 25 December 2010, we agreed with UBENT (United Builder Elves of the Northern Territories)that productivity levels would continue without a new agreement provided that the elves would not be forced to work longer than the normal, non-peak 10-hour shift. Despite cautious optimism, both sides of the table were well aware that sooner or later this agreement would have to be revamped in order to avoid a work stoppage.
After the holiday season concluded, and once the wife and I returned from our traditional two-month vacation in El Segundo, California, I was eager to resolve the differences both sides had and to continue work unabated. I was sincerely anticipating an uneventful renewal of our contract, as had been the case for over 600 years, with no snags on either side. Man, was I in for a shock!
I ...
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