I HAVE A JOB...........OH-YEAH

/ I HAVE A JOB...........OH-YEAH #1  

LD1

Epic Contributor
Joined
Apr 30, 2008
Messages
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Location
Central Ohio
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Kubota MX5100
Well, I know some of you were aware that I was loosing my job first of this month and I have been job seeking for the last several months.

Well, Last week I accepted a job offer I can live with:thumbsup:

I "was" working a 12 hour schedule. Which I prefer. I work 7 days in a 2-week cycle. The place I worked paid time-an-a-half after 8 everyday. So......7 days x 8 hours of straight time is 56 hours. Then 7 days times 4 hours x's 1.5 is another 42 hours. So it was like getting paid 98 hours of straight time pay ever 2 weeks.

New job is the same 12 hours, 7 days in a two week cycle thing. Slight pay cut though. Cause they only pay time and a half after 40. So one week is 36 hours (3 days) and the other week is 48 hours with 8 being time and a half. So it will be like 88 hours of straight time pay. But I am going to be making 0.13/hour MORE.

It amounts to about $500 a month less, which sucks, but aint bad compared to some other places that wanted me for $15-$18/hour for a skilled trade:confused2: and onlt 40 hour weeks. I'm sorry, but skilled multi-craft guys that can machine, weld, repair, electrical, etc are worth a bit more than 30-40k a year IMO.

I can live with the pay-cut they offered me. I was putting $500 a month in a ESPP, which the new place dont have, and I wont be paying anymore union dues as well. So its a wash. Sure, I'd love to make what I was, and put that towards retirement as I was, but it just aint out there at the moment. But this is going to be a brand new facility (not a new company though, just new facility), starting from the ground up with ALL new equipment and ALL new people. So I am sure there is pleanty of room for advancement;)

Anyway, just thought I would update everyone on my situation, and I probabally wont be posting much over the next 6 weeks:mad: I am going to indiana for training, and will only be home on the weekends. And I am not sure if the hotel they set-up for us has computers or internet:confused: But all will be good. They seem to be treating us well. 6 weeks of paid training, $7/$11/$18 meal allowances, $0.40 per mile to make the 230 mile drive (460 round trip) each weekend, etc.I am looking foward to this adventure. Which starts tomorrow evening:D
 
/ I HAVE A JOB...........OH-YEAH #2  
Glad to hear you have an employment future LD1. I have thought about you several times.. My own employment is in flux and is changing a bunch these last few weeks, but so far I still have a job, just doing something different. After you get all lined out, let us know how you are doing..Take care

James K0UA
 
/ I HAVE A JOB...........OH-YEAH #3  
Congratulations on your new job, sounds like you got it just in the nick of time. I read your intitial post, but live too far away from you to give you any opportunities here. I knew you would do fine though.
In my experience here it is difficult to find tradesmen with your experience. We constantly have trouble hiring maintenence postions in our shop, can't seem to find qualified people that are willing to work for $22 - $23 per hour.
 
/ I HAVE A JOB...........OH-YEAH #5  
...but aint bad compared to some other places that wanted me for $15-$18/hour for a skilled trade:confused2: and onlt 40 hour weeks. I'm sorry, but skilled multi-craft guys that can machine, weld, repair, electrical, etc are worth a bit more than 30-40k a year IMO.

I am really happy you got a good job, LD...and best of luck to you!!!

As far as the wage rate...it's a "what the market will bear" type thing and there are a lot of folks (especially in their 40's and 50's, with a mortgage and little or no other income or savings) who woud leap on a $15-$18 per hour job. Consider yourself very fortunate!!

Again, best of luck to you!!!
 
/ I HAVE A JOB...........OH-YEAH #6  
Congratulations on your new job.:thumbsup:
 
/ I HAVE A JOB...........OH-YEAH
  • Thread Starter
#7  
Thanks to all. And I will certainly keep everyone posted.

In my experience here it is difficult to find tradesmen with your experience. We constantly have trouble hiring maintenence postions in our shop, can't seem to find qualified people that are willing to work for $22 - $23 per hour.

Even $22-$23 I would have probabally turned down unless there was something else that made it special. Like stellar benefits, or 5 minutes from home or something. And for the last 7 years I have been working 12 hours, and as I mentioned, 12 hours a day pays better than 40 a week. Plus, I get more days off, and have to make the 50 minute drive fewer times. $23/hr on a 40 hour week would have been just TOO much of a cut in pay.

And in all honesty, I am kinda sad that it happened soo fast. This new plant isnt going to be operational til mid march. But they want to get the training out of the way and then have us help install the machines. But as it was, I was selected to work on the de-commission crew where I "was" working. And EVERYTHING except the machines and machine specific parts are just getting tossed into the dumpster :mur: And was fair game for me to drag home:D So right now, I have about a lifetime supply of sprockets, pulleys, love-joys, bearings (mounted and roller), electric motors, gearboxes, etc. As well as about 9000lbs of steel. Mostly round stock from 1" to 3" diameter, and alot is full length shafting with full keyway. And this is just what I could get in the 4 days I was on "de-commission". If I could have stayed longer......
 
/ I HAVE A JOB...........OH-YEAH
  • Thread Starter
#8  
Now I have my 30x30 part of my garage packed full of all this stuff, now it is time to concrete the other part (20x30) of the garage that I never finished, so I can set up my racking and start sorting and inventorying all these goodies:D

Concrete will be here at 10AM:thumbsup: Gonna be a hard days work. 11 yards:thumbdown:
 
/ I HAVE A JOB...........OH-YEAH #9  
Good for you LD. I was out of work twice in my life, and it is just a horrible feeling. I too took a hit on my salary when I went back to work the second time, but it did have opportunities I would never have been eligible for in my previous employment. I took advantage of them, and when I retired was much better off. Good luck and enjoy the "newness" while you can..
 
/ I HAVE A JOB...........OH-YEAH #11  
Great news indeed LD1 :) may new year keep shining down on you.
 
/ I HAVE A JOB...........OH-YEAH #12  
Now I have my 30x30 part of my garage packed full of all this stuff, now it is time to concrete the other part (20x30) of the garage that I never finished, so I can set up my racking and start sorting and inventorying all these goodies:D

Concrete will be here at 10AM:thumbsup: Gonna be a hard days work. 11 yards:thumbdown:

Sounds like you made out pretty well. Good luck!
 
/ I HAVE A JOB...........OH-YEAH
  • Thread Starter
#13  
Sounds like you made out pretty well. Good luck!

Thats what everyone keeps telling me. But when unloading ~4500lbs out of the back of the truck all 4 nights (so I can go get more the next day), and then 9000lbs on the trailer one night and another 7000 the last night, I sure dont feel like I made out well:mur:

And now knowing I have to move it ALL again once the concrete is set up......:mad:
 
/ I HAVE A JOB...........OH-YEAH #14  
Congrats on the new gig. You were indeed fortunate to find it. Unfortunately $15-$18 an hour for skilled labor is the new reality. In some areas of the country people would be lined up for blocks to get an $18 an hour skilled labor job.
 
/ I HAVE A JOB...........OH-YEAH #15  
Great news LD1! Spending less time on TBN due to employment isn't a bad situation to be in. Congratulations!

Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet
 
/ I HAVE A JOB...........OH-YEAH #16  
Good News! Hope you enjoy the new job. That's quite a severance "package" you hauled home :dance1:
 
/ I HAVE A JOB...........OH-YEAH #18  
Glad it's working out for you...and you have stuff for welding projects for years to come!!!

all that free stuff means you can take on welding projects for pay...and pocket all but costs of supplies.
 
/ I HAVE A JOB...........OH-YEAH #20  
COngratulations LD1 - have also been wondering what you would do.. It sounds like you got a nice severance from the old co in the materials too! Getting a comparable job is tough in todays market, but appears you landed nicely on your feet.

Regarding hotels and internet, msot have computers in lobby or business centers today, and or you could get a very inexpensive laptop, like a Google Chrome laptop $249.

One other aspect, your mileage reimbursement @ $.40 is on the low side, as govt allows $.53 I think for this year, so the difference $.13 x 2000 for example mi is $260 you can claim on your taxes as unreimbursed business expense plus any other costs you might have out of pocket, but it sounds like the meal plan $36/day should keep you fed OK. If the hotel rooms have a fridge and mwave you can save more too.

Have fun working your concrete today and it looks like warmish weather is on your side for a few days.

Carl
 
 
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