hows the economy and job security in WV (buying, income)

[vec101]

Unions were a fantastic thing for workers and sorely needed when they began. However, now they need to work with companies and not against them. We have/are losing too many jobs to companies outside the US and right-to-work states (I'm having a mind-blank - that is the correct phrase, right?).

While the whole company/union issue is very complex, the actions of some "bad apple" union workers certainly create disadvantages for companies and themselves. It's advantageous for the workers as well as the companies to be productive.

Examples (This happened a few years ago so don't yell at me if the regs aren't the same):
At a surface mine, union reg stated there had to be drinking water on the job site. The company provided it. One of the workers kept dumping the water out. The result was that the entire job was shut down until more water could be brought to the job site.

Same job: Workers were specialized for different pieces of equipment and labor. A need would unexpectedly arise for a piece of equipment - the equipment would just be needed for a few minutes. No one on the job was specialized for that equipment. The job would have to be shut down until a worker specialized on that piece could be contacted and get to the job site. (Oh please, I hope that rule has changed or at least been altered).

[Threerun]

We have close friends in PA, and my buddy is an experienced electrician. He's in the union, always has been. He was out of work for nearly 2 years because he was low on the list to be called (recently moved from MD). He received no compensation or benefits either.

He wasn't permitted to work on non-union jobs, which were plentiful in the area (Reading PA) but could work in a non-competitive job until called up. Luckily his wife earned enough to cover the bills. He worked odd jobs under the table to help make ends meet.

A couple large municipal jobs came up requiring union labor and rules, so now he's working again. However he's seriously considering abandoning the union because of the strain that length of unemployment left on his marriage.

I think unions have their place, but I think some of the methodolgy needs to be tweaked to make their presence more competitive and effective.

[fredman]

Originally Posted by David Kennedy

California is always the model for everything...how's things looking out there?

No need to answer that one...in two words...falling apart!

...and yet you said this, too:

"I'm for letting the Mexicans come here with work pernits...they are honest and very hard workers but they would be and have been expoited...
I recall getting Christmas trees for the Boy Scout project a few years ago in McDowell County...drove up on the mountain to get the trees and the snow was flying...the mexicans were loading the semi. I asked...'Where did those mexicans come from..." as it was unusual to see them at all then...the guy said...'We pay them $4.00 a day and they live in that Ford van...9 of them....at the end of the day, one of them goes down the mountain to get a gallon can of beans for supper."
I replied..."Thanks and I want to tell you now that we will buy our trees else where from now on." That mountain top was a reclaimed area for a large coal company...
Told me a few things about them...
I thought the days of slavery were over...depends on who you are...and who the worker is.
Bring on the Mexicano's...Hola...Hola!"

How stupid is that? And insulting.
The illegals you appear to love so much have utterly ruined California (have you been there lately?), and much of the American Southwest.
You are obviously quite uninformed concerning the effects of these hordes of illegal alien workers (mexicans, and others from south of the border) and their hordes of offspring (anchor babies). It's strange how out of one side of your mouth you cut on another state, while at the same time, you condone the practice most responsible for that state's severe budget problems and demise: the hiring of illegal aliens, who have the effect of drastically lowering wages and bleeding all manner of taxpayer-provided social services that they have no right to. All this courtesy of the catholic church and greedy business people (like you?). All the places where they have been allowed to stay (and they do stay) and increase in numbers (and they do increase in number) soon begin to look like trashy, third-world cesspools- just like mexico (have you been there?). As mexico's own president stated recently, "Where there are mexicans, there is mexico." That must be the effect you desire in your state, no? And you think your state has problems now?

You obviously know how to use the internet. Why don't you take some time to do some research on this matter? While you're at it, do maybe do some additional research on the large effect of illegals (allowed to illegally buy, and default, on homes here), on the current "housing crisis". Or how about the additional effect of 20-30 MILLION illegals on the supply and demand of other scarce resources, notably gasoline. And if, after all this, you still like mexicans so much that you want to invite them into your state, and even hire them illegally, maybe you should just move to mexico.

[Threerun]

I don't think anyone is for illegal migrants 'flooding' the country, however there are a lot of jobs that a lot of other people won't do.

There was a report on a DC news station some time back about a landscaping company owned and operated by an African- American. He was criticized by the local African-american community for having an almost entirely Mexican labor force.

He responded, with records, that he has advetised in communications frequently read by the African American community, went to job fairs visited by the same, even hired as many as he could. They would either not take the job PERIOD or stay on for a few weeks and leave.

That was his words.

He said his current crews work hard, do a great job, and show up for work. he doesn't pay them sub-standard wages and had the records to prove it. So in some cases- yes the migrant work force is indeed welcome.

I know a guy that owns a high end landscaping firm in Marshall VA that had a crew of mostly Mexicans. Same thing. They would work for weeks at a time in Hampshire County VA excavating sandstone, splitting it into various landscape sizes, arranging them on pallets and haul them to NoVa for high end projects. Most of it high end jobs, one was a $600,000 landscape job in Marshall VA.

I agree with Mr. Kennedy- they are a welcome work force, if properly documented and paid commensurate wage. Especially if no one else will do the darned work.

[NOVAmtneer82]

Fredman wow that was quite a racist rant you had going on there. What "holler" are you from? I ask this because you remind me of my relatives in a backwoods part of WV who always rant about the illegals and how they "ruin this country" yet you could probably count on one hand the number that live within 200 miles of their community.

I live in the DC area which has one of the largest immigrant populations (legal and illegal) in the nation, I don't really seem to think of it as a problem. But then again, I'm not one for racism and intolerance either.

[David Kennedy]

The state government of California has a policy for the illegals...its called INCLUSION.

Pay for their medical, pay for their new schools, pay for their new lifestyle...a mass evacuation is taking place...many Californians are moving to Mexico to live in a cheaper, less taxed country while they keep their southern California jobs...others are leaving the state in hordes...

Think the displaced will rebuild after the fires..(the equilivant of 10 WV counties went up in smoke)??? Of course not, they are taking their insurance check and checking out the blogs..haven't you seen the balloon of interest of people wanting to move to a safer, quiet, more peaceful place...

Michigan? another liberal disaster, just like California...and others, Maine, Vermont as well and the regulars around DC..

Racist??? That's what every liberal spouts out of their 'pie hole when they hear the truth..

That's what the English called my Irish Ancestors when we kicked their butts at Cowpens and Yorktown...we were Irish Racists...proud of that...Washington had a good word for us...He was a racist too! He even had slaves!!!

A jewish friend is a Realtor in Baja...has made millions...just laughs at the state government, because every policy and law brings him more wealth...he said to me in a phone conversation last year..."If the government would stop the migration, my office would collapse..."

Part of the Mexican agenda is to take back their land...nobody's stopping them that I can see...where's the Gov?

[Anita Cornell]

I have had a hard time getting a professional job that I have been more than qualified to receive. I was even told that my resume and references were "honorable" and "proved to have outstanding qualifications" but I was not selected at the time. Why? I do not know. I was never given a straight answer than simply, they selected another candidate--not another highly qualified candidate, just "another person was selected". This has proven to be stressful and frustrating. Not sure what they are looking for or what else I can do, but keep on trying. I am a teacher with a master's degree in Administration and I am currently a member of the National Guard and served in Operation Iraqi Freedom. I check the state web site daily, and have submitted several applications. Anyone know of any teaching openings in Lewis, Upshur, or Gilmer counties?

Mountaineer Rookie,
Anita

[GottaHerdOn]

Originally Posted by David Kennedy

The state government of California has a policy for the illegals...its called INCLUSION.

Pay for their medical, pay for their new schools, pay for their new lifestyle...a mass evacuation is taking place...many Californians are moving to Mexico to live in a cheaper, less taxed country while they keep their southern California jobs...others are leaving the state in hordes...

Think the displaced will rebuild after the fires..(the equilivant of 10 WV counties went up in smoke)??? Of course not, they are taking their insurance check and checking out the blogs..haven't you seen the balloon of interest of people wanting to move to a safer, quiet, more peaceful place...

Michigan? another liberal disaster, just like California...and others, Maine, Vermont as well and the regulars around DC..

Racist??? That's what every liberal spouts out of their 'pie hole when they hear the truth..

That's what the English called my Irish Ancestors when we kicked their butts at Cowpens and Yorktown...we were Irish Racists...proud of that...Washington had a good word for us...He was a racist too! He even had slaves!!!

A jewish friend is a Realtor in Baja...has made millions...just laughs at the state government, because every policy and law brings him more wealth...he said to me in a phone conversation last year..."If the government would stop the migration, my office would collapse..."

Part of the Mexican agenda is to take back their land...nobody's stopping them that I can see...where's the Gov?

DK I'm a liberal... I don't recall spouting off "racist!" to anyone, then again.. I'm never wrong ha ha

[GottaHerdOn]

Originally Posted by Anita Cornell

I have had a hard time getting a professional job that I have been more than qualified to receive. I was even told that my resume and references were "honorable" and "proved to have outstanding qualifications" but I was not selected at the time. Why? I do not know. I was never given a straight answer than simply, they selected another candidate--not another highly qualified candidate, just "another person was selected". This has proven to be stressful and frustrating. Not sure what they are looking for or what else I can do, but keep on trying. I am a teacher with a master's degree in Administration and I am currently a member of the National Guard and served in Operation Iraqi Freedom. I check the state web site daily, and have submitted several applications. Anyone know of any teaching openings in Lewis, Upshur, or Gilmer counties?

Mountaineer Rookie,
Anita

What is your specialization in?

[David Kennedy]

We need liberals...thinking, conservative liberals...you are a process in motion...watch it happen GHO...at 40, you will be completely in focus...experience has something to do with the process.. start looking for that right job now...here in Wv...they will be impressed that you are starting the job hunt early...and don't hold yourself back from the transition of teaching in college..that's where the real satisfaction is...actually elementary school and college...