Democrat's Apathy For Unions Is Suicide

[NM_Birder]

207. no worries, I can't remember if I mentioned my age before or not,

Turn the clock back 20 some odd years, and trade unions were different story, The guys I apprenticed under were not "carpenters" of today. Just short of being a biochemist, I'm not sure there isn't anything they couldn't reason out and make work, I loved working with them, and learned a lot more than skills. the "carpenters" of today are not the same, and the old salty guys are few and far between.

Construction can be a hard life, there are lots of solid field guys that skim the surface of financial success and disaster on a regular basis, the vast majority just exist between the peaks and valleys of a paycheck. I saw that, hell I lived it for a while, it sucked. the last journeymen I apprenticed under was one of the most driving forces that pushed my path, in the early nineties he saw the sun setting on his ability to stay in the field, but at that time that was about all he had left, modern project management was coming of age and he didn't have even the entry level tech skills to make even a modest step up, it's a shame, and the nineties were in a lot of ways the begining of the end to the best the union produced .

I learned a lot from some of those guys,.... mostly that I wanted to BE them, but at the same time I wanted more. Mid twenties and able to be accepted into the verteran circle was more of a drug than than I've ever had. Most won't understand, but acceptance into that group were some of the proudest moments I've ever had. I was 15 -20 years younger than some of them, that stands out,... and the opinion they passed on about me was better than any resume anyone on earth can ever hope to have. I owe a lot to some of those guys, it was thier opinion that got my toes in the door with the firm I work now. I have the education thanks to me, I have the skills thanks to training, but I have the right attitude thanks to them, I was very fortunate. I was prepared right, in the right place, and at the right time, and now at 46, I STILL am one of the younger PM's that manage what I do.Now after too many years piloting a desk, I doubt very seriously I could go back to the field and compete on any competent level, I know that, and my guys know that, I need them and they need me. people here are offended by the word team, it's a shame. I'm no therapist, I'm not here to provide life counseling and my guys know not to mistake my kindness for weakness. But I rely on them, they rely on me, I'm not here to give excuses and I don't accept them either. I've been with the same firm for enough years to feel like I've grown up here, it's like my home, and the people I work with are as close as family.

My disgust with the modern "carpenters union", is akin to seeing the ignorance of today's "give it to me now" attitude I see in society in general. What passes for a "carpenter" or tradesmen today wouldn't be allowed to police trash with the guys I grew up with. It's embarrasing. You can shake a man's hand and tell if he knows what he is, ...or if he is about to tell you what he is....there is a difference.

I am very close to what I wanted,..... I have some very rewarding memories, ...some of them in some of the worst times, some in the best of times. I have a financially secure position that if I wanted to retire I probably could, but am in the process of stepping up again and can't resist the opportunities. I've been able to provide a comfortable home on a dreamlike piece of property for my girlfriend/wife of 13 years, not by chance,.... she is similar minded so the toys and activities I like, she also likes. It's more erotic than I can explain to come home and see the boat hitched up and she's throwing stuff in the truck. (but no, not a 3500, and certainly not a dodge)

What I've seen, .....is that the union lost focus on what it's reason for being was, ...what it produced became secondary to how many it could produce. politicians used and abused the union, and the unions begged for more. Now at this point WHO is going to save the unions ? nobody, because the are just a political tool, not an instrument for the worker. Maybe I am a little harsh toward the union, ... it's rooted in the dissapointment and disgust in what passes for a union trained guy today. Standards matter, standards are what affords me the life I have, and union guys by and large today are below minimum standard. Unfair to say every single one, but more than is acceptable.

The union has only itself to blame for the ruin it's headed for, it's better at pointing fingers at fault than it is taking care of it's business.

Just couldn't resist the living in my monster truck comment eh ? just like the union, dissapointing but not surprising. The guys that depend on the union, belong in the union. Some projects are earmarked as "union only", that is your "carrot", just enough work to keep them voting, because without earmarked scoops of money, the union could never compete in today's world. A slippery political hand guiding the destiny of unions right into a shallow grave. It should make EVERYONE angry and dissapointed in what they have done to themselves.