Word: demerit
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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...after using a more relaxed monitoring system for the past six years, imposed the point system last March. The tension immediately went up, workers claim. One PSA clerk, Judy Alexander, a 14-year veteran, took a disability leave last month after compiling 24 demerit points. Says she: "You're a nervous wreck. The stress is incredible." Observes a fellow clerk and local union official, Toni Watson: "It's a very oppressive way to work. To be plugged into that boob tube and not be able to move gets under your skin sometimes." PSA defends its system as a productivity booster...
...vast majority of rules are still enforced and the list of taboos is long. Each class is given a demerit ceiling for each month; going over the linit earns a cadet several hours of "walking the area," a practice of being forced to dress in formal uniform, mount rifle upon shoulder and walk back and forth in the courtyard. If you skip a class, you automatically "walk...