Don't mess with this beaver she's on the attack. Kind of like how I feel right now. Got a letter from the union today. I didn't used to be big on unions having grown up during the Jimmy Hoffa era but with todays environment it at least affords some support. In their letter they pointed out that unemployment in the construction industry is at 35%. I'd like to point out that it's worse than that. When I went down to the hall last month I looked through the out of work lists and found over 1000 names. That's closer to 3/4 of all the workers. If that weren't bad enough there are 10 bills in the state legislature to get people working and nothing is getting done. The state faces a 2 billion dollar budget shortfall that they are trying to plug but much of the money for these jobs bills was part of the stimulus. There was a big hupla about retraining for weatherization and they even had a big photo op last September. And now...crickets. No jobs and little indication of jobs. It makes me want to sent my legislator some fishnet stockings leather boots and some very red lipstick if you get my drift.
So you might ask why not just find something else? I have been looking for months and found only three jobs. One required a degree in environmental engineering and the other two were for journeymen under a different union and they were temporary on call positions. The other thing is that I don't want to lose any additions to my retirement fund. That reminds me I need to check on another retirement fund I'm vested in.
Keep your drums upright.
Almost forgot: Four more banks bit the dust this week 2 NY 1 Fl 1La
12 comments:
I'm so sorry to hear this. Bleak times for so many.
Have you thought about creating your own army of rabid beavers and ravaging the countryside until the local municipalities are doing your bidding?
My dad was in construction and, way back then, he was with the Local union. It was all weather related in the 50's, and 60's. So mom and dad's income was erratic at best and again "back then" there was no retirement income from construction. I don't know HOW they made it.
Hi Peg! I just do not understand how these unions can't not scream loud and often to MSM that they need the work, free up the money.
I do not get this crap, our infrastructure is in major disrepair and they are holding back the money. I don't get it! One of my sons is an iron worker and says the class they brought in this year is getting their schooling but there is no work. That is BS! Something has to be done now!
Yup, things are bleak. I have a friend who's about to be downsized from Wal-Mart. And that particular Wal-Mart is in the process of expanding their store from a "regular" Wal-Mart into one of those Superstores. And yet they're laying off workers at the same time?!?
You want a good retirement and health care? Become a politician.
I was offered a job today, I turned it down. Fuck it, I'm retired and I'm staying that way.
So an Irishman walks out of a bar.
Really, it does happen.
So mom and dad's income was erratic at best and again "back then" there was no retirement income from construction. I don't know HOW they made it.
They were wiser and less needy than people today. I don't have a union retirement and I'm doing just fine and not whining.
About that.
Pelosi: Confident House will pass health care bill.
Well, SOME kind of a health care bill.
Utah true but for me it could be worse some workers didn't see the mess that Bush created coming, I did.
Randal Maybe I could hire you as my rabid beaver manager. First stop Wall Street.
Dana Back in the 50s all they took out of your pay check was SS. Now everybody's got their paws on it.
Jim the only good thing about construction for the younger ones is that eventually us old farts will eventually retire or die. Oh and it probably won't make the news where you live but there's a rally here on the 17th. A lot of good that will do.
Tom Perfect timing for them. What better time to make fewer people do more work than when there's a shake up.
Billy Hold on to your wallet because our Gov is about to balance the budget this week.
Now the term 'beaver' means something else entirely in England.
If a Beaver ever attacked me I would be worried beyond imagination.
It could make a good porn movie mind..;-)
My lotto ticket didn’t hit the big one so there goes my dream of remote acreage.
*sigh*
I did get three numbers so that’ll buy a few more tickets.
I’m eating something while surfing the blogs. I get weak and disorientated cuz I seldom feel hungry and forget to eat. Or as I’m fond of saying, “Ya have to be a special kind of idiot to forget to eat.” When I get down to about 140 pounds I force myself to eat more cuz it’s not healthy to get to skinny.
Walking can add minutes to your life. This enables you at 85 years old to spend an additional 5 months in a nursing home at $7000 per month.
My grandpa started walking five miles a day when he was 60. Now he's 97 years old and we don 't know where the hell he is.
I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me.
I just put a new post on my Projects blog.
SPIRITS PROJECTS
If the road-building season and better weather don't perk up the Main Street economy pretty soon, I expect Obama and congressional Dems to do some serious job creation, if they have to make up a whole lot of federal projects and positions to do it.
I wouldn't be surprised if Obama is resigned to Dems taking a drubbing in November, but I don't think he'll stand by for a wholesale slaughter. At least, I hope he won't.
My impression is that construction and related fields have always been a roller coaster proposition. Great money when there's plenty of projects and jobs, but watch out for dry spells.
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