Am I stupid or what?

Erkel3 · Jun 15, 2011

I've been working as a Union operator out of the local hall since 2002. In the last two years I have only had work for about 4 weeks. I got a job offer at a fairly local IH dealer for a little less money and I am going to take it. What do you guys think, should I take this or try to wait it out?

IBleedIHRed · Jun 15, 2011

That union really worked out for you! 75% of something is better than 100% of nothing! Take the job.

Unions are outdated. I know this statement will make you mad, but times change, this is 2011.

David G · Jun 15, 2011

You might trade that little extra money you could have gotten for the union job for the security of working for an employer that will keep you around when times get a little tough.

Erkel3 · Jun 15, 2011

You won't make me mad cause I know exactly what you are saying cause I've lived it. They are totally overpriced not out outdated. We need solidarity but not at this price.

old · Jun 15, 2011

I have lived in an area since 1980 where you worked in the summer and got layed off in the winter. I learned way back then that most any job that pays you enough to live on is better then not working. I started working when I was 12 doing newspapers and was a pressman's helper. I have never had a union job and have seen many jobs go bye bye because a union got voted in. So if you need the income take the job having $$ in your back pocket is better then having to spend what you are not making

Ken Ind. · Jun 15, 2011

TAKE THE JOB!!!!!!!!!!! A little less money and having staedy work is alot better than no work at all,especially if he offers you some benefits. Good Luck, Kenny

scotc · Jun 15, 2011

The union is not outdated. The people at the top are too crooked. Their pay is based on what the rank-and-file members earn. SO if they get you another $2 an hour, they get a pay raise, too.

Randy-IA · Jun 15, 2011

I'm a non union operator and I've been out of work for about 18 months now. But instead of continuing to wait I decided to go to college. And I'm proud to say I'm on the Presidents list too.

4.0 GPA. But at 54 YO I don't think it'll do me any good for future work. It keeps me busy for now though and I continue wondering why I didn't do this years ago when it would do me some good.

Brownie 450 · Jun 16, 2011

Randy---You were probably smarter than your professor. My wife took a course at the local Junior college, & she got home after the first class. I asked her if she learned anything or did she know more than the instructor. She said the instructor needed to go back to school.
All she got out of attending the class was a piece of paper--said she was qualified for this or that.
Experience is a good teacher--the best.

mkirsch · Jun 16, 2011

Please tell me you weren't one of THOSE people in the classroom.

When I was in college, at the "normal" age, there was always one older person in class with "life experience." They were the most annoying, disruptive people, because they ALWAYS had something to ask or add, whether it was pertinent to the lesson being taught, or not.

We're in a computer programming course, and one of 'em is essentially asking the professor if they've ever had that "not so fresh" feeling... JEEZ!

IH fan · Jun 16, 2011

(quoted from post at 23:39:09 06/15/11) I'm a non union operator and I've been out of work for about 18 months now. But instead of continuing to wait I decided to go to college. And I'm proud to say I'm on the Presidents list too. 4.0 GPA. But at 54 YO I don't think it'll do me any good for future work. It keeps me busy for now though and I continue wondering why I didn't do this years ago when it would do me some good.

I wish you luck Randy. You'll be competeing in the workforce with 22 year olds when you graduate... guess who gets hired most of the time. I have a 62 year old b-i-l that has been out of work for years because he is "over-qualified", meaning they don't want to take on anyone in their 50s and 60s.

Dave_Id · Jun 16, 2011

You could be waiting for a very long time. I used to be a moldmaker, but suddenly all the work went offshore. I tried to get in to the mortgage business, but the bottom fell out of the housing market. I landed a job down here in Texas as a manual machinist. A couple of years later, I'm doing well. Be thankful, and take what the Lord gives you. It can lead to better offers, and enhanced jobs. By the way, what is your trade?. Lot's of shops looking for machinists here in central Texas. I'm working for a company in the oil business, can't find enough machinists. They pay real well too. By the way, I'm 62, and as mentioned earlier, not many shops want to hire anyone in their late 50's, or in their 60's.

big a · Jun 16, 2011

Can I ask what position they are offering you at the IH dealer?

dej(Jed) · Jun 16, 2011

(quoted from post at 19:44:00 06/15/11)
I've been working as a Union operator out of the local hall since 2002. In the last two years I have only had work for about 4 weeks. I got a job offer at a fairly local IH dealer for a little less money and I am going to take it. What do you guys think, should I take this or try to wait it out?

Take the job. Hey I have a Masters degree in Chemistry and that work isn't all it is cracked up to be either. I have worked for 6 years here and then 7 years there. There just isn't a long term position available, because these companies are all short time setups. I am 60 years old now and basically unemployable because of my age. They don't say it, but you know it. I did some subing at the local HS, but $90 a day isn't much. I finally got a temp job with PPG working on a Solar Panel propject, funded by the DOE. When it is done, I am back out of work. Oh well I am not that far off of 62. Unions have run their course and what all these guys are saying is correct. All they are is a business too taking the little guys money.

Jason the Red · Jun 16, 2011

I say go for it. Be sure to check into whether or not you can take a temporary leave, so if you come back to the union work, you will have your benefits waiting for you. If you don't plan on going back, be sure to draw out any and all pension money, etc. you have coming to you. You will get hit pretty hard by the taxman if you do this so it would be best to get advice from a tax professional before doing anything drastic. Good luck.

Mark in Upstate · Jun 16, 2011

My Dad said while we were growing up, Unions are good, but unions are bad. Good wages and benefits, lots of travel; strike and no work. You make the call. We lived it too!

jeffkoh · Jun 16, 2011

it doesnt matter if it 1911 or 2011. get rid of the unions and the middle-class will have work for peanuts, and thats what alot of people want. unions are not out dated.

IBleedIHRed · Jun 16, 2011

If you do a good job at what you do you will be paid a fair wage, if you want what the bosses make, apply yourself and you will advance up the ladder.

That is the way I was raised, do not depend on someone else to speak for you.

Dave_Id · Jun 16, 2011

Not necessarily. A union shop in central Minnesota (DeZurichs) is paying $6.00 less an hour than a non-union shop down here in central Texas. I believe the union guys went for it so that guys from outside the company wouldn't be interested in working there. They wanted to protect their jobs from men who may or may not do a better job than them. It worked. I went somewhere else.

denny-o · Jun 16, 2011

Take the job...
The best way to get a new job is to have an old one you are still working at...
As an employer for over 50 years I rarely hired someone off the street.. With a guy fresh off the street I don"t know what I am getting... If someone is holding a job I at least know that they know how to show up in the morning, sober...

GeneMO · Jun 16, 2011

Unions have 1 goal. To take as much from you in the form of dues, and pass that on to abundant nnalert to get them re-elected.

Period. End of story.

They dont give a rip about you.

Gene

Am I stupid or what?

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