Work slowing down.. what would you nogs do?
11-20-2007, 06:33 PM
#11
0.0 BAR
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 17
Re: Work slowing down.. what would you nogs do?
I know a lot of people on the site knock unions, but here it goes...
I was a drywall hanger/ finisher for seven years. I started working for a friend's father the summer i got out of HS. I was hired at $7 an hour, and after three years was only making like 9.
Finally when the boss realized I was worth the money, he started giving raises pretty steadily. But after 7 years in the trade (whats considered a mechanic, kinda like master craftsman), I felt as if i had maxed out at $14.25. The only benefits I was getting was 1 week paid vacation i could never take when i wanted, and a christmas bonus.
In those same seven years I heard continuously from my boss about how broke he was. However in that same time period, he was able to put his daughter through college (master degree, paid in full the day she graduated), Take 2-4 vacations every year, bought a brand new dodge 350 w/Cummings turbo diesel, bought a cottage for the summers, bought a property for rental, and country club membership.
Finally last christmas eve, the boss stopped at our job to give the christmas bonus. "I wish it could be more" he said as he darted for the door. In the envelope was a $100 bill. I packed my ---- up n took off. Havent talked to him since.
January I applied to the painters union (IUPAT). I was hired, but because I didnt have much experience with coimmercial work, I started as a 2nd year apprentice, making 15.85 plus 4.70 an hour in benefits. In another year and a half, I will make journey man. Base rate is 24.39, plus I think right around 14 an hour in benefits. It was the best move I had ever made, and Im kicking myself now for not joing 7 years ago.
CLIFFS: JOIN A UNION
I was a drywall hanger/ finisher for seven years. I started working for a friend's father the summer i got out of HS. I was hired at $7 an hour, and after three years was only making like 9.
Finally when the boss realized I was worth the money, he started giving raises pretty steadily. But after 7 years in the trade (whats considered a mechanic, kinda like master craftsman), I felt as if i had maxed out at $14.25. The only benefits I was getting was 1 week paid vacation i could never take when i wanted, and a christmas bonus.
In those same seven years I heard continuously from my boss about how broke he was. However in that same time period, he was able to put his daughter through college (master degree, paid in full the day she graduated), Take 2-4 vacations every year, bought a brand new dodge 350 w/Cummings turbo diesel, bought a cottage for the summers, bought a property for rental, and country club membership.
Finally last christmas eve, the boss stopped at our job to give the christmas bonus. "I wish it could be more" he said as he darted for the door. In the envelope was a $100 bill. I packed my ---- up n took off. Havent talked to him since.
January I applied to the painters union (IUPAT). I was hired, but because I didnt have much experience with coimmercial work, I started as a 2nd year apprentice, making 15.85 plus 4.70 an hour in benefits. In another year and a half, I will make journey man. Base rate is 24.39, plus I think right around 14 an hour in benefits. It was the best move I had ever made, and Im kicking myself now for not joing 7 years ago.
CLIFFS: JOIN A UNION
11-20-2007, 08:25 PM
#14
1.5 BAR
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,157
Re: Work slowing down.. what would you nogs do?
Originally Posted by Tough-guy
Shitty. You should bust out the ice and asprine. You are gonna loose that nail too.
11-21-2007, 12:37 AM
#16
3.0 BAR
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Your mom's panties
Posts: 3,696
Re: Work slowing down.. what would you nogs do?
The worst part of losing a nail is when it grows back. It will start as a bubble about where your cuticle is, then extend down to the tip of your finger. Needless to say it's pretty weird looking.
11-21-2007, 07:07 AM
#20
0.5 BAR
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 176
Re: Work slowing down.. what would you nogs do?
Originally Posted by crxmatt2
I have worked for this construction business for the last 4 years. 14/hour company truck.. no benifiets.. and a lack of ------- work for the last 4 months. unemployment is only 225.00 / week. My brother has offered me a full time job doing wireless internet surveys (not installs, all i do is climb on peoples roofs and hold up a sattelite to check for signal) for 11/hour, company truck, plus free internet, and half of my health ins paid. Now the construction business supposidly just landed a year's worth of full time work w/ renovating a big apartment complex. But i'm tired of them jerking me around, and pretty much making me a "call a carpenter".. they call my *** when they need some grunt ---- done. i'm ready to move on and ---- them. what do you guys think?
I'm in the same position and I'm a teamster.. What I can suggest is trying to find something you like to do.. Or find a temp job If you like the construction biz, quit the temp job go back... I heard construction pays well..
