Work

[spiderrey]

Been workin 6 and 7 days a week latly. Work hasnt been this good in a long time. Now I hear we might be out on strike this Monday. Lame.

[ga.spyder]

That sucks Rey.My business has picked up in a big way,in the last couple months.After a 1 1/2 years of having nothing to do and working part-time for a parts chain,we have some new construction and room additions to last thru the end of the year.Pretty psyched! I hope the strike gets worked out for you.

[narfire]

Hey Rey, did they give a reason for a possible strike. I thought things are turning around down there. Bamboozles me at the moment people talking about strikes in this climate.( below average building year here at the moment)
Chris

[spiderrey]

Narfire, our contract is up at the end of June. The union hasnt been able to put a new contract together with all contractors involved. We havent had a raise in almost 10 years. Im fine with that. I dont see the point in rocking the boat at this time. Im just happy to have my job. About a year and a half ago we lost our vision and dental insurance due to cost. There are three rumors going around. 1 they want to take $2.00 an hour off our pay. Not good but not tragic. Rumor 2 they want to take between 5 and 7 off our hourly wage. Not good. I would just retire in 6 months if this happens. Rumor 3 the union wants to add a doller an hour to our benefit package to get our insurance back. I* feel the risk here is to high for what we could gain. Our vision coverage sucked anyway. Cost to each union carpenter member to cover his family for the year is only between 2 and 3 hundred $,s a year. I called the union rep today to find out what was really up and he says its the doller deal. I asked him who o ked that deal and he said it was our representatives. I told him that I thought it was a stupid move and he got a little agitated. He told me everyone has different opinions. He said that I should have gone to the meetings . I told him i was working and me working is what puts money in his pocket. Once he figured out who I was he calmed down. Now we wait. We wont know anything till Friday. As it stands the general contractors dont have an issue with the union proposal. The acoustical carpenter contractors dont have an issue either. Thats my group. The problem seems to be with the drywall contractors for some reason. If they dont agree soon all union carpenters in I think seven states will walk off the job monday morning. We are working on lots of schools that need to be done in about 2 weeks. With out the strike that will be a difficult thing to accomplish. With a strike, everyone looses.

[narfire]

Well, I hope that some agreement can be made and everyone involved can keep working.One of the last things I am is an economist but continually beating up on workers wages (except most employed by the various levels of governments) while costs of living keep going north...something is going to break somewheres down the line.

Wonder if this will open pandoras box much like the political thred...

I supply timbers to the construction industry here and business is all over the map this year.
Chris

[spiderrey]

I read that political thread and have very different opinions. But i wont get involved because nothing good will come of it. Im not looking to start a debate with this, just venting. Things havent been this good in a long time and now this pops up.

[dmwhiteoak]

I feel your pain buddy, We are in an electrical union and every time our contract comes up for renewal I fear the company wants to do the same . So far we have been lucky and all has worked out. Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers and hope all will work out. It's always stessfull when your livelyhood is in danger.

[spiderrey]

Thank you.

[spiderrey]

Well the strike was avoided today. We got our doller and all is well. Most of us will be working next week.

[dmwhiteoak]

I'm glad to hear it all worked out.

[ga.spyder]

Glad to hear it,Rey.

[narfire]

All-Right!! more work....more fiat parts eh
Glad to hear the good news.
We in BC seem to be going through a stage of disconect.. the private sector has big downward pressure on wages(competition) while the public sector is wanting more $$$.

[spiderrey]

Update. Today I found out we didnt get the doller. We got $6.25 over the next four years. I am actually shocked. But work hasnt been this good for me in some years now. Gonna get some work done on the car and finish putting my guest bathroom back together. Thanx guys.