Explain this construction shit

Kid Afrika · 06-26-2002, 04:04 PM

Hey dick, here you sit, in your office posting on a message board all day. How is that any different than a construction worker standing on the side of the road making sure his shovel doesn't float away up into the sky?

These guys are slackers, and slackers of the best kind. They get paid a shitload of money, have good benefits and don't have to work 40% of the time. However, when they do work, it's fucking grunt work.

I'd be shutting up if I were you.

barch97 · 06-26-2002, 04:05 PM

Don't take that tone with me. And, please direct all future comments to my shop steward.

Maynard · 06-26-2002, 04:09 PM

Hey k1d, you just like to bitch at people to hear yourself talk.

I've had grunt jobs before, and I've busted my fucking ass. Do I post alot here? Yeah, but I also do alot of work here. My work is something that allows me to post while I'm doing it.

As far as me slacking as opposed to them, my slacking doesn't interfere with thousands of people's daily lives. Theirs does. When I have people relying on me to get something done, you can be shit sure it gets done.

So maybe you should be shutting the fuck up now.

barch97 · 06-26-2002, 04:11 PM

He's just pissed 'cause the union don't allow nigg... ah nevermind...

Kid Afrika · 06-26-2002, 04:13 PM

Their boss is expecting them to fulfill the contract to complete the structure on a schedule. The schedule is set by the boss and usually adhered to. Could they get it done faster? Sure, but that's not going to feed their families when they get paid based on time worked.

You know the reasoning behind the guys being out there. You're just pissed that you have to sit in traffic everyday. Well, I say find another route, or shut the fuck up and enjoy the view. You should try having to cross the Raritan everyday. No matter which way I go, I hit traffic, construction or not.

PollyannaFlower46 · 06-26-2002, 04:16 PM

You think standing around with shovels is bad? I was on the bus this morning on the way into the HOV lane for the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, and there was a construction dude on the concrete dividers doing SIT UPS! WTF?!

OAS · 06-26-2002, 04:25 PM

Quote:I was on the bus this morning on the way into the HOV lane for the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, and there was a construction dude on the concrete dividers doing SIT UPS! WTF?!

He was utilizing the health club benefit that his union got for him the last time he was on strike.

PollyannaFlower46 · 06-26-2002, 04:26 PM

Ughhh I want a union....ehh...I'll be a federal employee sooner or later...I'm sure that will kick ass too....

Maynard · 06-26-2002, 04:27 PM

I understand that there's worse routes k1d, but mine is pretty damn bad. Going east isn't good no matter where you are. Fuckin NYC.

So then the real problem you're saying is the bosses padding hours for the job. Well I say fuck that. We should go on strike. No one drive anymore. We'll teach them. Go on. Fix all the roads. We just won't use them!!! :fuckoff:

OAS · 06-26-2002, 04:32 PM

I love this fucking argument that they schedule the labor and limit the progress based on how many hours/days/months/years it will take to finish the project. The union protects the workers to keep them working. How come that formula changes when the government offers an early completion bonus? The company and the union leadership shares in the bonus and the workers, well they go on unemployment. Unions.....pfffft!

Arpikarhu · 06-26-2002, 04:40 PM

Quote:OK all you union people, rip me a new one. I don't care. I still think your'e pissing your union dues away.

yeah, you are right. all my union does did for me was negotiate an extra 11.5% of everything i make added to my check and given to me once a year as vacation pay,(with compound interest). you can take a good vacation with $13,000. i also get another 14% added on for annuity and pension. I get free medical (any doctor i want). Free dental (any dentist i want). Free eyecare and glasses. We have guaranteed safety rules, minimum work hour rules, etc.....My employers try to break these rules every single day. I kid you not. I never have to worry about it because my union steps in on every single incident. To universally say that unions are bad is a testament to your ignorance.I agree that some unions are bad. this is usually due to no oversight by the employer. if no one is checking your progress, most people will slack. this is not the fault of the union.

OAS · 06-26-2002, 05:00 PM

Your safety rules and work hours are governed by federal law. Every employee in a legal job, legaly entitled to work here in the US is protected. You don't need the union to represent you if there is a violation. All 50 states have labor boards that will hear, at no charge to you, any violation the ruling on the violation comes from the state labor board, not the union.

As for your bennies, if the financial condition of your employer/industry changes, they will go away. Don't believe me, ask any UAW, CWA or Teamster member from the 70's and 80's. For the record, except for the compound interest on your vacation pay, all of my benefits exceed yours. We have never been unionized.

Also, before you come to a conclusion on my ignorance, I am an expert in labor law and employer/employee rights. I have heard hearings in 27 states on employment issues and I have poured over statistic after statistic on layoffs, benefits, labor grievances and union actions. Union employees are laid off by their employers at a rate 38 to 1 compared to non union employees. Non union companies are more likely to survive economic fluctuations as they are more competitive because they are not bound by ridiculous labor contracts.

I respect your right to be organized, I just don't personaly see the need and nothing will change my mind. As said earlier, the unions had their time and place and accomplished much. It has passed.

Maynard · 06-26-2002, 05:08 PM

Your bennies may exceed Arpi's, but...how much longer have you been at your job than him?

Arpikarhu · 06-26-2002, 05:14 PM

Quote:Your safety rules and work hours are governed by federal law. Every employee in a legal job, legaly entitled to work here in the US is protected.

not to the extent that the negotiated safety rules protect me

Quote:As for your bennies, if the financial condition of your employer/industry changes, they will go away.

my industry has experienced many highs and some very bad lows and the bennies have never gone away

Quote:I respect your right to be organized, I just don't personaly see the need and nothing will change my mind. As said earlier, the unions had their time and place and accomplished much. It has passed.

you have obviously never worked for a producer:rofl:

Quote:Union employees are laid off by their employers at a rate 38 to 1 compared to non union employees.

no member of my union has ever been "laid off" (if you bring up that joke maynerd i will kill you)

OAS · 06-26-2002, 05:15 PM

My bennies are the same as someone that starts with our company today (except for free medical) I am grandfathered into that along with another 100, 000 + employees of our company. I earn more vacation as I meet years of service, bat I'm guessing Arpi does the same. Benefit administration is also governed by fedral law. ERISA guidelines dictate that benefits, when offered, must be offered equitably amongst all employees of a company in similar job responsibilities. In other words, all clerks get the same, all managers at the same management level get the same, all computer technicians get the same, etc. etc.

Maynard · 06-26-2002, 05:21 PM

So when the fuck are you gonna find me a new job OAS???

Arpikarhu · 06-26-2002, 05:28 PM

Quote:I earn more vacation as I meet years of service, bat I'm guessing Arpi does the same.

not true since in my business years of service to the same company is very rare. we all get our benefits at the same level. i have been with my company for 6 1/2 years and that is pretty rare in my industry. most companies dont last longer than a year or two.

barch97 · 06-26-2002, 05:53 PM

Wait...

You guys are serious about this?

OAS · 06-26-2002, 06:09 PM

Arpi, you are in an entertainment union. Don't speak union speak. To say you have never had a layoff is union speak. If someone in your union is not in a play, movie, concert tour or in other words not working, why would your union lay you off. I was talking about unions that represent 40 hour labor workers working for a company. If your production company ends it's run, you will be "laid off". Companies like AT&T or General Motors aren't typically in business as long as people pay for tickets to see their work.

Your wages and compensation is often tied to your performer or job function status. If you are a performer (actor/actress) your contract is negotiated by an agent (with the exception of I believe it's called scale work). It is not set by the union. The union sets payscale by job function or title. Wouldn't you prefer to be paid comensurate with your experience? Wouldn't you prefer to work for another producer that want's to pay you more for your talent if he is so inclined to do it?

Look at pro sports unions. Do NFL or MLB players need a union? Contracts are negotiated between players, owners and agents. Rookie minimums are negotiated by the union, but don't need to be. A rookie' agent worth his weight get's more than minimum anyways in signing bonuses etc.

Arpikarhu · 06-26-2002, 06:13 PM

Quote:Wouldn't you prefer to work for another producer that want's to pay you more for your talent if he is so inclined to do it

there isnt a producer in this world, or any other, who would pay us anything other than what they are forced to pay