Unions .... are you for them in TODAY'S society?

I have also stated that I am for Unions in some cases, like WalMart. I just think in my area that some of the trades pay are out of line with the average pay for most middle class jobs.

 

Duke, if govt jobs are like riding the gravy train. Why dont you get one? No doubt there are lazy overpaid govt workers but i've been around just as many in the private sector.

 

Simple.. they don't have an industry for my profession.

If they did.. I would.. and then still complain about the outrageous salaries and budgets of these people... including my own.

I have friends in the govt... they do the same. I know a person who just got an $8000 raise in a state with a huge budget deficit.. and they're pissed! And they should be. I also have a buddy who's sister just got a $7000 raise.. another govt. job... and she's pissed too!

Your missing the point.. its not about a govt. employees laziness to me (of course thats up to each individual person.. thats implied knowledge).. its about his/her OUTRAGEOUS salary compared to if that person was in the private sector. It effects me.. cause I pay the taxes. So do you.

When YOUR household has a budget crisis.. do you spend more?

No... You cut the spending.

 

So what, LOL An excutive makes 350,000 + and some much more and they do diddle

My last job the head guy made in salary 350,000 a year. He did zero work, he produce nothing.

We pay a fireman 80,000 a year and he goes into a burning house, we pay excutive way more to read email and play on their crack berries.

Excuctive pay has gone up waaaayyyy more than blue collar guys, at least blue collar guys actually do work

I laugh at the Limbaugh diddle heads when they say free market business model works, LOL These guys run companies into the ground, good hard working people lose their jobs, and these wing nuts say "it's just business" as the dildo's who put the company in a tail spin walk away with millions.

That is why I only work for small private companies, they tend to make business choices with a conscience, and remain in business. For as much as I dis-like yota, they take care of their workers.

 

Years ago I worked in the lumber industry, when I was first hired we were union then the owner made us an offer and we took it got rid of the union and were happy. The only thing we got were a case a gloves every month and a pair of boots every six months. After the union was gone my neighbor kept asking if we were hiring because he was making 6 bucks an hour pulling chain and our mill paid almost twice that.

 

If you're friends are that upset, they should donate the money. I see what you're saying though. I guess i'm just greedy, our state is a wreck as well but i try to make/save as much money as i can to help further my family's situation. I welcome the raises I get every 6 months. With my line of work (Environmental) its the opposite of what you're saying (which might not be the norm with all govt jobs). If i went to the private sector I would make alot more money but would lose my retirement and benefits.

 

Where am I missing the boat in my thinking?

I'm ALL for people getting every dollar they can. But....when overhead causes your co. to not be competitive......I don't get it. Is it better to have 5 current projects with an average profit margin of $100K/per? Or....is is better to stick to your guns and say you won't/can't settle for less than $130K/per?

At what point is the co.'s and their workers' viability more important than feeding the machine?

In other words.....would you rather make $36/hour - 3 mos./yr......or $29/hour - 12mos/yr?

 

Good point excutive pay has gone up to point it's crazy, should we not cut their pay also?

 

I cannot answer that as my company is competitive, it is in fact the largest such company in my area.

The only thing holding my company back currently is the very slow commercial building market.

 

Scott:

Are you competitive (your co.) in non-union markets? Or, are you only competitive in union markets?

Do you see any correlation in union controlled markets and affirmative action?

 

LOL, One of my good friend's at GM who was a brother use to tell me UAW meant "U Ain't White"

 

You really think that executives do nothing? I would love to see you live a month in the life of my companies CEO, CFO or CIO. I guarantee you that the stress is more than you would be willing to endure

 

On my job currently (a K-8 school) We (the carpenters) the plumbers, the masons and the HVAC contractors are union. The electricians, painters, sprinkler fitters and communication contractors are non union.

Most all of the jobs are like this, a 50-50 mixture.

To answer your second question.... No, I see no "affirmative action" type hires in my line of work.

Union work here in my area in the trades is not a seniority based system either. There is no such thing as seniority, it is all performance based, unlike the auto industry.

 

Yeah their stressed alright, LOL

Running into a burning building is not stressful, nor is being a cop, how about the army right now. Think the boys in Iraq no what stress is right now?

Oh yeah thrid qrt numbers are off a bit, we need to cut some heads so we keep our profiit margins up

So tell me at the end of the day, what does a CEO at a bank produce in real work?

 

Gary....you're off the "union" discussion.....right?

Scott:

I'm trying to learn why a contractor would pay more for union labor, if he wasn't forced to (by someone).

Fair question?

 

No idea, my company is not a bank

 

Dang, what company is that?

 

He must be making adequate money with the crew and system he is running. He bids the work, we complete the project, he cashes in.

In fact his brother and his brother in law both own non union companies that we directly compete against. His brother(s) companies are 1/10 the size of my employer though.

 

My point is why do we all tend to Focus on what LABOR is paid(reguardless of Union or Not)

People will ***** about a painter making 36.00 bucks an hour

40 hour week that is 75 grand now take 20+% off the top for taxes, you are down to around 60,000. 60,000 in Chiago is not going to get you very far IMO.

 

What kind of profits did your company turn, last year, Josh?

I once knew a construction PM who got a $20K bonus on a project that LOST over $1M. Was that fair? I brought in nearly $300K in profits in the same year.....and mine was less than 1/2 of his.

Would it surprise you if I said he earned every penny of it?

Back to my question....... why would a GC/owner pay more for union labor?