Union Wages (middle-class, 2009, Home Depot)

[rustybird]

I was wondering what the pay scale is for a union Carpenter in Arizona? Is this a strong union state?

[Greatday]

Originally Posted by rustybird

I was wondering what the pay scale is for a union Carpenter in Arizona? Is this a strong union state?

Arizona is, thank goodness, a right to work state. So no, Arizona is NOT a strong union state.

[JennySquirrel]

I have noticed that most illegals gravitate to the warmer/border states. They are the ones taking the trades jobs. So it's going to be interesting to see what happens with this administration since they are going to legalize all the "undocumented" workers (as they like to call them) yet they are in bed with the Unions. I wonder what is their plan to make both sides happy?

I'm guessing the "undocumented" workers will get first choice at the trades jobs. Then the Union workers will have to be retrained in one of their new fields that they are talking about creating.

Good luck to you. All the people who I know who were union skilled trades people were pushed out of their jobs and are now at Lowes or Home Depot making $10.

(don't people always say they are just here doing the jobs that Americans don't want to do??? Hmmm?)

[Ponderosa]

Problem is there is no work. Local 408 gets nothing from the residential business. Builders shut out the unions maybe 30 years ago. Govt is about the only one who is going to pay those wages when you can get all the workers you need for a third of union scale. Gov't is cutting back as much as private, though. It's tough, very tough. AZ is not even a weak union state. Unions are pretty much held in contempt here.

[Greatday]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

Unions are pretty much held in contempt here.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by Greatday

I don't agree with you (I find I rarely do). In the larger picture, unions have played an important role in shaping labor-management relationships in America and securing pay and benefits that have enabled us to develop what used to be a vibrant middle-class. Unions get over the top with work rules and can make life miserable for a construction manager (I have first hand experience on both ends of the spectrum). But our present system denies living wages to workers and encourages and abets illegal immigration which ultimately hurts all of us in educational, health and human services costs. The employers of this workforce are profiting at the expense of the rest of us. Unfortunately, the unions are not going to be much help in this area. Paradoxically, many of them support the legalization of illegal workers.

[JennySquirrel]

It seems the Unions are strongest around big cities like Chicago, NY,NJ, etc. where the dirty politicians have worked out deals with the unions and they are only hire union workers for the city contracts. Little payback for the campaign donations. Hey.....isn't that exactly what the Illinois Govenor is in trouble for??? Hmmm?

I can't wait to see what happens next. We now have a hispanic, women who comes from a union family running our Dept of Labor. She is big on getting "undocumented" workers into unions.

Pass the popcorn, this is going to be a good one.

[fightnchckn]

Without bashing the unions...there are several companies that are outperforming and outpaying the unions on a regular basis. Most importantly, making millions in times like these. Of course that profit will take a hit in the early part of 2009, but not many companies can say that. I work for one, and would never go union based on my 10 years experience. Pay for performance industrial, manufacturing work. No union, just plain old hard work with the attitude to do what it takes to succeed...safely. We are coming to your state...starting up early 2009. Hopefully I will be making the move to be a part of this new endeavor.

[JennySquirrel]

Fightnchckn,

Sounds great to me. That is the way things should be. Pay for performance is he only way to encourage people to do better and work harder.

I wish you and your company luck.

[fightnchckn]

Thanks! I hope to secure the promotion in the next few weeks, then head west!