Do you think the American worker is the the greatest worker in the world?

[sniffa]

Please don't let my opinion influence your vote. Vote before scrolling down, please.*

*I tried to post a poll, but we're on level 3.














































I've been working with the "American worker" in construction for years. What I see (quite honestly) is laziness, corner cutting, and corruption. I usually work with one of the local unions, and some are great, and some are awful (Ironworkers - great. Laborers - terrible. Carpenters/Pipefitters/Electricians - so-so). Of course it's not everyone, but it seems to be the majority.

[bullimiami]

1. we could be if we were allowed to.

[arcadian]

2. Everything America does is great!!!

We take the greatest shits and flush the greatest toilets!

[Demobrat]

3. Hell no. Most Americans are much too important to actually do any work.

That's for other people.

[Bluzmann57]

5. Bullshit.

Maybe you are a spoiled little pissant, but I work for a living and I work hard. You should try it sometime. But it may kill you, so maybe not.
Try raising a family in today's economy. It ain't easy. Most of us are trying like hell but are just getting by even though we work hard and often. Americans work more hours than most other "civilized" countries in the world and increasingly have less to show for it. Do not ever say that most Americans are much too important to actually do any work. That is wrong and I will not stand for it.

[OhioChick]

8. Speak for yourself. n/t

[ileus]

4. yooooooou betcha....wink wink.....

[sniffa]

6. Update - after rereading my thread...

I slammed unions and that's not my intent. My intent was to point out that we're not as great as some like to think we are. We expect to live well/large and we don't seem to "earn" what we expect to make (and in some of us make).

I mentioned the unions to compare the ones I work with and who are actually great and who actually give unions a bad name.

[two gun sid]

7. I've been a Union electrician for 28 years...

I think we are probably no better or worse than any other workers and yes I have worked in other countries. Have I seen corner cutting and corruption? Sure. I've seen superintendents and general contractors want corners cut and I've seen the same guys bribe inspectors.

[sniffa]

9. As I said in my update

I made this thread poorly. My main point was that the "American worker" is not what politicians try to claim.

I mainly work with unions (I'm not union, would love to be. I've gotten some great advice from DUers about it, and am still looking into it despite my fear in this downturn) so that was my angle. We have many great workers, and most/many unions are great... but too many I've worked with over the years are not. I've picked up the habit this year based on my project so I can not currently consider myself a great American worker (though some days I am, if they give me a full day's work).

[two gun sid]

13. Hell, I didn't think you were slamming Unions....

I knew what you were getting at. I was just giving you a little of my background and my opinion. I wasn't trying to flame your post. But, my opinion remains we are no better or no worse than workers in other countries.

I hope you do get into a union, I'm always glad to welcome new brothers and sisters.

Solidarity Forever.

[sniffa]

18. I'm currently going back to school

to move up the ladder. Once I get to that rung, I don't think I can be Union. I'm not sure, but even if I'm right I'd like to get in the Union before I reach that. Once I reach that, I'd like to support my fellow surveyors being unionized (which most are not).

[two gun sid]

20. Good Luck with school.

I'm really wanting to choke McSame right now, that fuck.

[MadMaddie]

10. I agree with your sentiment but I do believe

if the American worker is energized and has true leadership then yes we have the best workers in the world.

We have become soft and lazy under the Republicans and we need to change that way of thinking and working.

[gtar100]

11. Agreed. That's such a ridiculous meme.

What is it about America's fragile ego that it has to "the best" or it gets cranky and mean. I think it's just arrogance. My in-laws in Guatemala work hard, work smart, and they are not unique. It's not where people are from that make a "good" or "bad" worker. Frankly, I couldn't imagine most American workers going through the grueling days of work that many have to face day after day for 12 to 16 hours a day for little or no pay, no time off with pay, and no hope for retirement. The differences in production between countries is a component of poverty levels, not birth place.

[Bigmack]

12. All that "greatest worker" bullshit...

is the lube Repubs use just before they jam something large up the ass of the working people of this country.

[HEyHEY]

14. No, and this reminds me of when I was just in Chicago

Speaking to a nice lady at the bar. Her buddy just got off work from a 14 hour day cause he has two jobs. She was all like, "THat's why america is so great cuase we work hard." She acted like I would be surprised. But, I was like, "You think people don't work 14 hour days where I'm from? Gimme a break" Fuck earlier this year I was putting in 16-hour days working two jobs. ANd I know lots who do.....

Got to get rid of that, it's just bravado.

[sniffa]

16. Earlier this year I was working 12 hours and only getting paid for 8

Once in a great while I was getting my due time and a half, but it was only for 10 on my 12 hour days. :eyes:

[cemaphonic]

15. In terms of per capita productivity, we are up there, although not at #1 last I checked.

Some of that is things like infrastructure and availability of capital, rather than the innate qualities of the workforce though. We do have a large, diverse well-educated workforce, and we work longer hours that many places.

And laziness, and corruption are certainly not limited to us.

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

17. no, but it has nothing to do with being lazy or not

I think it has to do with basic education, that is - the ability to write and speak in coherent sentences and the ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide simple numbers without using a calculator. I also think simple things such as knowledge of how the world works - reading newspapers, getting informed, etc. - is as important.

Lazy workers are everywhere, sadly. I think that compared to other workers around the world USians are a bit more self-centered and 'me' oriented than others. Sometimes, the mentality is "what's in it for me" rather than "how can I make my company flourish?"

[AzNick]

19. American workers are workers. That's it. End of it. n/t

[snot]

21. Actually,

my understanding is that statistically, we're pretty high up, depending how you define "great."

We take less vacation than in practically any other developed nation. We get relatively less support in the way of healthcare, child care and other social services, or even decent public education. A high proportion of our adult population works, discounting those involuntarily unemployed. Our productivity is among the highest in the world.

I know an awful lot of people including me who work very long hours and care very much about making sure the job is done right.

I'm sure it's not the same everywhere in the U.S. or in every industry, but that's how it's been for me and my friends.

This is what I have seen while working in restaurants, in a car-dealer-service organization, and after more schooling, in government and as a service professional.

Now my boyfriend, he doesn't work so hard.

[sniffa]

24. Very good points

For most of my career (save for my first company) I haven't had personal days and/or sick days - we have PTO, which encompasses vacation, sick and personal days.

I'm lucky my company (which used to be huge, but now tiny... but one of the few remaining companies) has great health care benefits. Just this summer I was chastised by a now ex-worker for not participating in our our non-matching 401k fund. I didn't have it because I couldn't afford it, but now I feel better about it.

[Incitatus]

22. Some are great, some are bad. I'd assume it's like that in every country.

[Hannah Bell]

23. If you've lived in other places, you know elites in every country tell their working

classes they're "the greatest, most creative, best, most disciplined, smartest..."


flatter the proles - but it's bullshit. there is no "best workers"