Either wat concessions were given. That's nearly always a road to the end. I'm my 10 years here, it's only gotten worst year after year.I hope they know about that vacation :::: and a new skeleton has come out of the closet whilst you were away. One now has to be on the seniority list on Jan 1 of any given year to receive any sick days for that year. This is a new one on all of us. Coincidentally it seems that hiring is frozen towards the end of the year but open up the flood gates come Jan 2. Go figure.
BTW you misspoke when you said I am a proud "no" voter.