aerotek- and our trade in general...Please comment

Who is this aerotek? Staffing co. or actual contractor? They have a job listing in ny. They are offering $15-$20 hr. Maybe its me, but I wont even consider starting an excavator or dozer mfor that much. I can work at the local target warehouse for more than that, in a heated building, with full medical benefits. And I'll come home with clean clothes everyday. Seriously, I know things are tough out there, and in some parts of the country this may be a decent wage,but not in ny with the cost of living. I know bids are lower now, because of our current economy, but I also know when these large companies are taking advantage of the labor pool in times like this. Even in these tough times we all need to start demanding a competive wage. Like it or not,m it is one hell of a responsibilite when you sit inside an excavator, and start digging around co-workers,m utilities etc. With the presence and power of lawyers today you can bet, if you did have an accident on the job, and hurt one of your co-workers you would be listed in the lawsuit, along with your employer. For anyone who has been in this trade for more than 15 yrs,m knows we were once on the top of the pay scale in the construction industry, and rightfully so. I have seen a downward trend in our trade over the past 15 years, and bit leting$$$ for cival const increasing. I think we have hit an all time low. I know quite a few bodymen, that are making more than us, I can speak of experience,m because I worked partime in a bodyshop for over 20 years. And I am not downing that trade ( I've did it and know what skills are involved) or any other trade for that matter, but I just hope if a stimilus package is passed and we start to see work again, (I HOPE WE DONT SELL OURSELVES SHORT) I think with our responsibilites, not to mention our skills are worth more than $15-$20 hr. Think about what we do inside the cab, and how it effects the whole production of the job, whether it be laying cable, pipe, placing concrete etc.

I ran out of space previously. Im not downing anyone for taking a job for $15hr we all need to put food on the table, and times are tough. But Im tired of some,m not all contractors, whos anual spreadsheet is just ridicolous looking. The ones who make 500% profit off of there hired labor. Not every contractor can pay rate wages, I dont expect someone to pay $36hr to excavate grave sites at the local cemaetary,m however I know of a local contractor that won the bid for site at the const. of a local walgreens. I know what the bid let for, because we lost it,m at not by much. I also know this contractor was paying between $12-$16hr. The guy on the dozer and grader was at $16 and he was a hell of an operator. This just isnt right. We bid for the lowest paid operator at $26. The kicker is the winning bidder didnt lose his shirt, etc. They been in the industry for over 25 years and were in and out just as fast as any other experienced contractor. Enough complaining, Im just alittle disgusted with where our trade and many other trades are headed. After all, all the projects obama wants to start wont m,ean a thing, if we dont have qualified tradesmen to do the work. For everyones sake, keep this in mind when it comes to bargining wages should this stimilus pakage bring us new employment.

Just like everything else involved with economics ,its all about supply and demand.There are a lot of operators looking for work and the out of work guys are willing to work for less than they were getting 2yrs ago just to keep meat on the table.The company that I've worked at for 17 yrs cut wages by 2 to 4
dollars an hour for everybody.We had to.
This has happened before and as soon as things get rolling again wages will go back up.

aaron- cont. in Gloversville, New York said: I ran out of space previously. Im not downing anyone for taking a job for $15hr we all need to put food on the table, and times are tough. But Im tired of some,m not all contractors, whos anual spreadsheet is just ridicolous looking. The ones who make 500% profit off of there hired labor. Not every contractor can pay rate wages, I dont expect someone to pay $36hr to excavate grave sites at the local cemaetary,m however I know of a local contractor that won the bid for site at the const. of a local walgreens. I know what the bid let for, because we lost it,m at not by much. I also know this contractor was paying between $12-$16hr. The guy on the dozer and grader was at $16 and he was a hell of an operator. This just isnt right. We bid for the lowest paid operator at $26. The kicker is the winning bidder didnt lose his shirt, etc. They been in the industry for over 25 years and were in and out just as fast as any other experienced contractor. Enough complaining, Im just alittle disgusted with where our trade and many other trades are headed. After all, all the projects obama wants to start wont m,ean a thing, if we dont have qualified tradesmen to do the work. For everyones sake, keep this in mind when it comes to bargining wages should this stimilus pakage bring us new employment.

I totally agree with everything you said, but with the way things are right now contractors are going to take advantage of the man that does the work. Even if this stimulus thingy does put a lot of work back on the boards, the contractors will keep most of it. That's how the rich keep on getting richer, off the backs of the workers ! " 'Twas always thus, 'twill always be "

It is true that wages have taken a nose dive,of that there's no dought.However,
it also depends on the contractor and your abilities as an operator as to how
much you will make in any market.If you really know what you are doing,can run more than two machines with profitency
without taking a long time to finish a task there are contractors out ther who will pay you well.

Hello Aaron,

I'm replying to your consern about the Aerotek. They are a staffing company that get replys by the dosen.(DIME A DOSEN)if you well and for a real low pay rate. Some times they well throw you a bone and find you a good paying job but dont hold your breath. I mean there is nothing wrong working for low pay like you said some one needs to put food on the table. But thats not for me ether I have to much CERTS to go back words I'm a journy level welder (27)years old and persuing a welding inspector lic. I agree 100% with you when you get people who are (selling them selfs short)with good skills it only makes things hardier for your trade. The contractors that scoop these people up know that in a sence they could all ways get another one in a heart beat. Its just not right! I'm a little afaid when i do become an inspector i well in a way be self employed. How things are going it freaks me out bad because now i'm not payed hourly i'm payed by jobs. To finish my reply if you can get a job close by i would do it staffing companys is just not worth it in my eyes i hope you well and stay stronge.

Hey Karl, how's it going? I came to Florida over 2 months ago and haven't found a job yet. Any time work gets scarce I know I can always come down here and get something, even if it doesn't pay near as much as anywhere else. At least you could get a job. Now, nothing ! I can operate anything, and I mean anything! I've done pipe and dirt work, hogging out lakes and finish grade and I've been told I am one of the best. But any time you walk into an office and they don't even ask you what you can run? They just say they aren't hiring. That's bad! Here in Florida they have always payed less because of the "Right to work law", but the contractors have also always gotten paid just as much for a job down here as they would anywhere else in the country. But they just never did pay their help what any one else did. I think that when things start breaking loose, contractors will use this to an advantage and leave wages down as low as it takes to keep the seats filled and keep the extra money in their pockets. Things are tuff all over, I hope this Obama caricature does what he says he's going to do and fast, otherwise I'll have to give up a lifelong career, that I love and go back to driving a truck. If you hear of anything out there send me a line, I'd relocate just about anywhere for the right bucks. Tim

Tim,I wish I could say things are booming here in Calif. but there not.I have been working for a bit with the company that I've been with for 17 yrs.Right now we are finishing some dry utility work on some apts.But the recent rains have put a stop on everything.If it isn't one thing it's another right.As I have said in my other threads I wouldn't hold my breath on what Obama has planned.Most of the work will go to union companies so he can get his union buddies off his back.Even with that it takes a long time to get project through all the red tape.His environmental buddies will tie up things in the courts.I do hear there is some work in Texas.
Check out an outfit called Atmos Energy,They've been running ads for backhoe operators for quite some time now.Also try Schlumberger
Their supposed to be doing something in Wyo. and Utah real soon.They don't pay alot but you get a lot of hours. Karl