ScottRadom
Shogun of Saskatchewan
Hey, welcome aboard! While I hate unions and everytging to do with them I am glad your perseverance paid off. Good to hear!
The perfect job?
- Thread starter moonmin82
- Start date
Not all Unions are bad, it is the assembly line unions that suck. Car manufacturers and the like. Those guys dont have anything to work towards and most of them can be replaced by monkeys. We are building a huge multi million dollar building at Carnegie University and we actually make that happen.
The non union companies could never pull off the work that we do, trust me I used to be one.
We risk our lives everyday when we are 130\' up in the air on side of a building ledge setting curtainwall and glass. The union guys are trained in 4 years of school, and it shows.
The Right to Work State does not benefit a single worker out there but my type of union keeps people from starving to death on those horrible wadges that so many people I know make down south.
I have friends down south that are in their 40-50s that try to keep their family fed on 13-15$ an hour with no benefits.
The Unions were the ones to inact the 40 hour work week,and many other benefits nonunion workers take for granted.
So please dont lump all unions into 1 category like people do with all the cancers, and how all too many do with different races of people.
Happy Christmas,
Robert
The non union companies could never pull off the work that we do, trust me I used to be one.
We risk our lives everyday when we are 130\' up in the air on side of a building ledge setting curtainwall and glass. The union guys are trained in 4 years of school, and it shows.
The Right to Work State does not benefit a single worker out there but my type of union keeps people from starving to death on those horrible wadges that so many people I know make down south.
I have friends down south that are in their 40-50s that try to keep their family fed on 13-15$ an hour with no benefits.
The Unions were the ones to inact the 40 hour work week,and many other benefits nonunion workers take for granted.
So please dont lump all unions into 1 category like people do with all the cancers, and how all too many do with different races of people.
Happy Christmas,
Robert
ScottRadom
Shogun of Saskatchewan
Well..... still glad to have you on board!
And... I still very, very, very much hate unions.
I have never worked a 40hr work week. My experience with unions has always been that they wind up sheltering the lazy. A worker or tradesperson that relies on a union to fight for their wage, benifits and such rather than take there skills to the open market is not something I can identify with. I\'m also not a squeaky wheel and I\'ve never had to ask for a raise.
My time with unions has been very negative. I\'ve constantly seen the unions and the policy of rewarding length of service vs. the merit of the employee and been very frustrated by the experience. I work for a company that offers the best benifit package, the most competitive wage available, and we employ only the best tradesmen. Our wage is much lower initially but after showing me that a worker is capable, conscientious and operates with a \"big picture\" mentality they are given the opportunity to earn much more, and we do a lot of profit sharing.
My only experience with unions has been the handicapping of my salary, the refusal to allow myself to work longer hours in different jobs (to learn other jobs) as well as working next to people who made more than I did based solely on the fact that they\'ve done the minimum work required to not get fired for twenty years. I\'m happy to not have to fight a union rep every time I need to make staff changes or even to discipline an employee.
My wife on the other hand works for the government union. She works 40hrs, then 32 hours alternating and her job is ridiculously easy (by her admission) and they have the highest pay vs. any of the other law firms in the city. She works as a legal secretary and courtroom recorder btw.
I\'d love to experience a positive union, but I have not in my 14 years doing my trade (butcher).
Bottom line is I am overly pleased to hear your postitive story. In these trying times it\'s not every day someone steps forward and says \"You know what, I\'m doing great\" and I am thrilled to hear of someone who is doing well.
I look forward to talking more with you about any subject as it\'s clear you have passion and intelligence. We\'re just never going to agree that unions are a good thing is all...
So again, welcome, and please feel free to ignore ANYTHING I say!
-Scott
And... I still very, very, very much hate unions.
I have never worked a 40hr work week. My experience with unions has always been that they wind up sheltering the lazy. A worker or tradesperson that relies on a union to fight for their wage, benifits and such rather than take there skills to the open market is not something I can identify with. I\'m also not a squeaky wheel and I\'ve never had to ask for a raise.
My time with unions has been very negative. I\'ve constantly seen the unions and the policy of rewarding length of service vs. the merit of the employee and been very frustrated by the experience. I work for a company that offers the best benifit package, the most competitive wage available, and we employ only the best tradesmen. Our wage is much lower initially but after showing me that a worker is capable, conscientious and operates with a \"big picture\" mentality they are given the opportunity to earn much more, and we do a lot of profit sharing.
My only experience with unions has been the handicapping of my salary, the refusal to allow myself to work longer hours in different jobs (to learn other jobs) as well as working next to people who made more than I did based solely on the fact that they\'ve done the minimum work required to not get fired for twenty years. I\'m happy to not have to fight a union rep every time I need to make staff changes or even to discipline an employee.
My wife on the other hand works for the government union. She works 40hrs, then 32 hours alternating and her job is ridiculously easy (by her admission) and they have the highest pay vs. any of the other law firms in the city. She works as a legal secretary and courtroom recorder btw.
I\'d love to experience a positive union, but I have not in my 14 years doing my trade (butcher).
Bottom line is I am overly pleased to hear your postitive story. In these trying times it\'s not every day someone steps forward and says \"You know what, I\'m doing great\" and I am thrilled to hear of someone who is doing well.
I look forward to talking more with you about any subject as it\'s clear you have passion and intelligence. We\'re just never going to agree that unions are a good thing is all...
So again, welcome, and please feel free to ignore ANYTHING I say!
-Scott
It a good philospohy and anyone who thinks that can make it work for them should try for it.
BUT at the end of the day you have to decide, whats important to you, the wage packet and what it brings in or the risk of starting to hunt around again.
I\'m in the situation of being too old to be \"marketable\" while job hunting especially in this current financial climate and I dislike and disagree with the senior management policies which are governing my work and customer treatment.
However I have a wage coming in and it\'s covering our bills, therefore I have to \"grit my teeth\" and get on with it.
Remember this; getting paid while in a lousy job is better than not getting paid.
Ive worked on a BP/Safeway forecourt (petrol station/shop), Ive been a postman and a cycle courier and now im back in UNI Ive got a BSC in applied science and soon will have another art qualification.
Best job by far was being a postman, it suited me down to the ground and no matter what people say the royal mail is an amazing company and we in the UK are lucky to have it.
What I really want to do now is start my own miniatures company or be a freelance painter but things never pan out the way you want em 2.
Best job by far was being a postman, it suited me down to the ground and no matter what people say the royal mail is an amazing company and we in the UK are lucky to have it.
What I really want to do now is start my own miniatures company or be a freelance painter but things never pan out the way you want em 2.
RuneBrush
New member
Just chucking my five peneth worth into the topic. Bottom line as stated is that the only reason most people work is for the money. We no longer live in a society where we barter one sheep for three bags of wheat and instead need cash to do something similar. Don\'t jack your current job in unless you have a backup plan.
My suggestion would be to do the same as I did a couple of years back. Start looking around for other jobs now. If your current job is tolerable then stick it out until something else comes along. If its not then are there any managers/senior staff you can talk to? Letting somebody know you\'re unhappy and looking elsewhere can sometimes have a positive outcome - although if handled poorly then it can have the opposite effect.
I know its easy to say and a lot harder to do, but try to not let it get you down, take a deep breath, put your head down and look forward to home time. I remember that during my apprenticeship (as an engineer) I had to do 2~3 month stints in most departments in my last company. The machine shop (which totalled 12 months in all) was horrible and I frequently was tempted to phone in sick or jack it all in as I was \'the young apprentice\' and as such it was acceptable to be the butt of all jokes - knowing that I was ultimatly destined for more qualifications, a better position and higher wages didn\'t help either. But I plodded on and came out of the end of it confident that I was not only destined for better things, but also that I was above the pettyness of many the shop floor people.
Good luck with whatever path you choose to take!
pete
My suggestion would be to do the same as I did a couple of years back. Start looking around for other jobs now. If your current job is tolerable then stick it out until something else comes along. If its not then are there any managers/senior staff you can talk to? Letting somebody know you\'re unhappy and looking elsewhere can sometimes have a positive outcome - although if handled poorly then it can have the opposite effect.
I know its easy to say and a lot harder to do, but try to not let it get you down, take a deep breath, put your head down and look forward to home time. I remember that during my apprenticeship (as an engineer) I had to do 2~3 month stints in most departments in my last company. The machine shop (which totalled 12 months in all) was horrible and I frequently was tempted to phone in sick or jack it all in as I was \'the young apprentice\' and as such it was acceptable to be the butt of all jokes - knowing that I was ultimatly destined for more qualifications, a better position and higher wages didn\'t help either. But I plodded on and came out of the end of it confident that I was not only destined for better things, but also that I was above the pettyness of many the shop floor people.
Good luck with whatever path you choose to take!
pete
generulpoleaxe
New member
it won\'t be around for long as the EU doesn\'t want it and our goverment does as it\'s foreighn masters tells them.
I currently work in McDonalds on my 1st job and have been there for about 6 months and I don;t hate it or like it. It is something to do and gives me some money to spend 
On the on the hand though, my dad has been part of the navy for almost 25 years and has loved his job. He did navy cadets and my grandpa didn\'t sign the paper to let him become a fulltimer at the age of 17 so he had to go to reserves and ask his boss to let him in.
On the on the hand though, my dad has been part of the navy for almost 25 years and has loved his job. He did navy cadets and my grandpa didn\'t sign the paper to let him become a fulltimer at the age of 17 so he had to go to reserves and ask his boss to let him in.
career advancement but dissatisfied
I worked for about 9 years as a software developer at a big international company. Since last year I am \"Security Manager\" for our business unit. First I thought this would be fun, but I had to notice that it\'s more \"manage\" and less \"security\". Most of the time I have to justify WHY we have to do things and what the risks are... bla bla bla SOOOO, the last few months I am mostly painting Powerpoint sheets for the management. And THAT was not the intention I had. Well I have a higher visibility and a higher fee, but I am dissatisfied and currently looking for a new job. But it\'s harder to get a new job than I had expected... :/
As for me my job must be fun, because I do it most of my time. So a job I don\'t like is not an option for me. Well, we will see...
I worked for about 9 years as a software developer at a big international company. Since last year I am \"Security Manager\" for our business unit. First I thought this would be fun, but I had to notice that it\'s more \"manage\" and less \"security\". Most of the time I have to justify WHY we have to do things and what the risks are... bla bla bla SOOOO, the last few months I am mostly painting Powerpoint sheets for the management. And THAT was not the intention I had. Well I have a higher visibility and a higher fee, but I am dissatisfied and currently looking for a new job. But it\'s harder to get a new job than I had expected... :/
As for me my job must be fun, because I do it most of my time. So a job I don\'t like is not an option for me. Well, we will see...
moonmin82
New member
thanks for sharing... its good to hear about all your experiences. i guess im lucky in that i have no ties in terms of children or mortgage commitments. (apologies in advance for the approaching lack of clarity and structure!)
we\'re currently living in manchester and only moved here for my previous job (which i have since lost due to redundancy). my partner was never keen on moving here and after a year has had enough and wants to move back home.
neither of us want to stay here forever. we\'re not keen on our jobs or the area and havent really made any new friends.
im 26 and shes 24 so its getting to the point where we want to settle down. we want to commit to buying a house but obviously need to confirm where (not here!). provided we can get jobs in her home town (grimsby...) we can plough on.
the problem is that our contract on our current flat is up in mid february. this doesnt leave us with much time to sort things out. if we were to stay another 6 months whilst looking for something else, something would probably come up while we were stuck here!
in the mean time she suggests we move in to her mums while we sort things out and explore the job and housing markets.
we clearly dont want to leave with no job in the pipeline but coordinating us both getting jobs by feb will be hard (things were hard enough moving to where we are now).
we are both lucky enough to have enough saved for a deposit on a house (and enough to tide us over while we look) so theres no reason why we cant explore our options. its just a question of how we go about this...
we\'re currently living in manchester and only moved here for my previous job (which i have since lost due to redundancy). my partner was never keen on moving here and after a year has had enough and wants to move back home.
neither of us want to stay here forever. we\'re not keen on our jobs or the area and havent really made any new friends.
im 26 and shes 24 so its getting to the point where we want to settle down. we want to commit to buying a house but obviously need to confirm where (not here!). provided we can get jobs in her home town (grimsby...
) we can plough on. the problem is that our contract on our current flat is up in mid february. this doesnt leave us with much time to sort things out. if we were to stay another 6 months whilst looking for something else, something would probably come up while we were stuck here!
in the mean time she suggests we move in to her mums while we sort things out and explore the job and housing markets.
we clearly dont want to leave with no job in the pipeline but coordinating us both getting jobs by feb will be hard (things were hard enough moving to where we are now).
we are both lucky enough to have enough saved for a deposit on a house (and enough to tide us over while we look) so theres no reason why we cant explore our options. its just a question of how we go about this...
Nah it wont be going anywhere soon. What the hell would we replace it with ? All those other companies (TNT etc) only get the mail as its coming downstream and sort it into areas, then they take the stuff that makes them money and leave all the door to door crap for the posties.
gohkm
Active member
Hey, Crackpot, I\'d happily trade places with you. I\'m pretty sick of doing all the low-level stuff - pentesting, web app testing, vulscanning, you name it. At least you get to see the management side of things. I\'m getting bloody nowhere since I simply won\'t brown-nose. How hard is it to get a visa up where you\'re at ?
?generulpoleaxe
New member
posties will end up being a thing of the past, you will end up getting charged for the privelage of your post being stored at the loca (if you still have a local) post office.
when kinnock and mandelson want what their masters demand it happens, and unfortunately this will happen unless enough people say no.
@gohkm
Guess we should share our duties. I would love to do a little bit more \"low-level\" technologie work like penetration testing or vulnerability checks. But you call it \"low-level\", I would say what you do is MUCH more \"high-level\" than my work here... Sometimes I thing most of the stuff I (and most of my \"management\" colleagues) do could be done by anybody with a little bit of common sense! You really don\'t need a bachelor in this or that... It\'s really disillusioning. The main thing is you can handle Powerpoint and you are convincing.
As for a visa, I don\'t think it\'s so tricky to get one in germany.
Guess we should share our duties.
I would love to do a little bit more \"low-level\" technologie work like penetration testing or vulnerability checks. But you call it \"low-level\", I would say what you do is MUCH more \"high-level\" than my work here... Sometimes I thing most of the stuff I (and most of my \"management\" colleagues) do could be done by anybody with a little bit of common sense! You really don\'t need a bachelor in this or that... It\'s really disillusioning. The main thing is you can handle Powerpoint and you are convincing. As for a visa, I don\'t think it\'s so tricky to get one in germany.
