07-09-2005, 09:53 AM
Sprink,
Let me ask a question, and let me start by saying I believe in Unions, I believe in fair wages, etc.., I am all for keeping jobs in Chicago.....
If plastic piping is the way your industry is going, and it's quicker and easier to install, shouldn't that mean the companies that install it have to bid lower prices to get the work? If that's the case, the companies need to lower their costs, either through lower wages, or through getting jobs done faster (workers working faster - higher productivity), or the company profits sink to a level that puts the company out of business. If the choices are to take lower pay for easier work, or go out of business, which would you choose?
I am forced to lower the sell price of the equipment I sell everyday because of increased pressure from my customers over their need to lower costs in order to remain in business here in Chicago. If they can't afford to stay here because of labor, ingredients, shipping, taxes, etc., they shut down and move to where these things are cheaper. I helped a good customer of mine dismantle a factory and relocate it to Mexico because sugar is cheaper there, not to mention labor.
I guess your company can also choose to not bid to work on plastic pipe jobs, thereby avoiding the subject. But if that's the way the future is headed, it's going to be adapt or perish.
I do think it sucks whenever a company asks a worker to take less money for doing the exact same job as before, but in this case maybe they aren't asking for an unreasonable thing. It is a less skilled task (fitting plastic) wouldn't you agree?
Let me ask a question, and let me start by saying I believe in Unions, I believe in fair wages, etc.., I am all for keeping jobs in Chicago.....
If plastic piping is the way your industry is going, and it's quicker and easier to install, shouldn't that mean the companies that install it have to bid lower prices to get the work? If that's the case, the companies need to lower their costs, either through lower wages, or through getting jobs done faster (workers working faster - higher productivity), or the company profits sink to a level that puts the company out of business. If the choices are to take lower pay for easier work, or go out of business, which would you choose?
I am forced to lower the sell price of the equipment I sell everyday because of increased pressure from my customers over their need to lower costs in order to remain in business here in Chicago. If they can't afford to stay here because of labor, ingredients, shipping, taxes, etc., they shut down and move to where these things are cheaper. I helped a good customer of mine dismantle a factory and relocate it to Mexico because sugar is cheaper there, not to mention labor.
I guess your company can also choose to not bid to work on plastic pipe jobs, thereby avoiding the subject. But if that's the way the future is headed, it's going to be adapt or perish.
I do think it sucks whenever a company asks a worker to take less money for doing the exact same job as before, but in this case maybe they aren't asking for an unreasonable thing. It is a less skilled task (fitting plastic) wouldn't you agree?