This economy has to get better soon....

[az03sonoma]

Well, I live in the capitol of the housing slump, construction slump and rising unemployment... Arizona is getting hit hard from all directions and it's getting too close to home for me.

Our company took a 12% pay cut across the board two months ago and I thought that we would make it through it without too much concern, but... then comes the layoffs...

I watched 8 dear friends walk out the door Friday after loosing their jobs with our company and they all have been with us for at least two years. One has been with us for 11 years... Our company is doing what they can to survive. I respect and appreciate all that they are doing to keep everyone employed, but this sucks...

There are contractors dropping like flies all over the state. Luckily I work for one of the top 5 Electrical contractors in the state. It's just sad to know that so many people are out of work and struggling. It's amazing how the trickle down affect runs so broad and deep...

I'm going to have to slow down on my project which is displeasing to the heart as I was looking forward to racing the tribute truck this fall... I have some odds and ends that I can do, but I definately won't get very far this summer:sick:

Sorry for the rant, but I needed to get this frustration out of me before I snap :fighting15:

I hope that everyone else is doing well out there. :10:



Tony

[Star]

rant away ...we all feel the same way
some thing has to give soon

[Diabolical]

Tony..
We are all feeling it everywhere..
I am trying to get ready for the enevidable myself..
Right now I have over 200 electricians working for me..
I am a Union Electrician myself (20 years).
The job is starting to wind down.
You know whats next :(

[dand355]

rant away... where all with you.. i myself will be looking for my next job soon . not to many people starting up new dryclean stores. going to have to repair sh$t equipment know

[434 smallblock]

Im in the bodyshop business and we are slow just trying to get by

[lsx10]

I've been really blessed in all of this with my job, my wife even found a job that she started this week. but I have quite a few friends and family members that have been hit pretty hard. my dad is is the hole pretty bad right now and my sister got a 12% pay cut. I'm the least educated and have the lowest amount of experiance and am doing the best out of anyone in my family...

[az03sonoma]

Tony..
We are all feeling it everywhere..
I am trying to get ready for the enevidable myself..
Right now I have over 200 electricians working for me..
I am a Union Electrician myself (20 years).
The job is starting to wind down.
You know whats next :(


Cool :10: A fellow Sparky :laughoutloud:

I'm fortunate that I'm running our Healthcare division and we have been fairly busy, so I should be safe for now, but you never know...

We are not a Union shop, but I have many friends that are in the Union and out of work here. The Local 640 is not very strong in Arizona and we actually have a few card carrying guys working with us. Union or not, I hate seeing fellow sparkys out of work. The sad thing is that construction lags 12-18 months behind the economy, so we still have a ways to go before it gets any better...

I hope that it keeps going for you and doesn't slow down too much...


Tony

[Diabolical]

Thanks Tony,
I do underestand.. I dont care to play the Union/Non-Union card.. never have.
I am union by choice. I have never thought different about anyone who was not..
One of the smartest guys I know is a non-union electrician..

The project I am on is funded by secure funds.. Its a MDAD/MIA project.
I am scrambling to make sure I dont have to lay anyone off..
It's a seven year project (Lets hope).. My only real problem is when the other contractors
get behind it stops my foreward motion..

Healthcare Division Hu?
I just completed the Homestead Hospital Project
What an animal..

http://www.protectingamerica.org/enews/images/MAYenews/homestead.jpg

http://www.baptisthealth.net/en/about-baptist-health/PublishingImages/HHlpanorama350.jpg

Hopefully everything gets better for everyone..
I climbed my way up the ladder from Apprentice helper to General Superintendent..
I know what its like to be the little guy and I still care about everyone.

Mike

[az03sonoma]

Star, Thanks and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for everyone :10:

Dan, Thanks. I like to fix things, are you hiring???:cool4:

Everett, I worked in a bodyshop for a few years back in the late 80's. That was fun and I wish that I would have stuck with it... Hope that things keep going for you.

Greg, does your sister work in Phoenix for an electrical company? (12% pay cut...) I'm glad that you are doing well and I hope things get better for your dad soon


I have not watched much TV or read the paper to fully realize how deep this recession has gotten and I've always heard about someone else having the misfortune of being laid off, but never having it hit so close. I guess I have been lucky for the past 25 years...


Tony

[lsx10]

Greg, does your sister work in Phoenix for an electrical company? (12% pay cut...) I'm glad that you are doing well and I hope things get better for your dad soon

Tony

no she works for a pharmasutical company in tucson, I think it was an 11.x% paycut, I just rounded it to 12

[az03sonoma]

Thanks Tony,
I do underestand.. I dont care to play the Union/Non-Union card.. never have.
I am union by choice. I have never thought different about anyone who was not..
One of the smartest guys I know is a non-union electrician..

The project I am on is funded by secure funds.. Its a MDAD/MIA project.
I am scrambling to make sure I dont have to lay anyone off..
It's a seven year project (Lets hope).. My only real problem is when the other contractors
get behind it stops my foreward motion..

Healthcare Division Hu?
I just completed the Homestead Hospital Project
What an animal..

http://www.protectingamerica.org/enews/images/MAYenews/homestead.jpg

http://www.baptisthealth.net/en/about-baptist-health/PublishingImages/HHlpanorama350.jpg

Hopefully everything gets better for everyone..
I climbed my way up the ladder from Apprentice helper to General Superintendent..
I know what its like to be the little guy and I still care about everyone.

Mike


Wow, that's a cool project :10:

I 'm with you on the Union/Non-Union issue. I have worked side by side Union electricians for the last 10 years at intel and they are good people with the exception of a few hard core individuals from back East. We are all in it to provide for our families and enjoy our chosen profession.

Healthcare... It's a whole different game... Especially when working in a hospital that is currently operational and requires ICRA... Talk about taking for ever to run a circuit 100'...

I moved up to a Project Manager a year and a half ago :10: So, I'm learning the management ropes and Healthcare all at the same time... It's been cool, but is putting a strain on the family with the extra unpaid hours is has required (salary sometimes sucks...):yikes:


Tony

[az03sonoma]

no she works for a pharmasutical company in tucson, I think it was an 11.x% paycut, I just rounded it to 12

OIC

12% doesn't sound like much until you lose it... Hopefully she is able to adjust and still live comfortably. We have adjusted and hopefully we'll keep up. Sucks living paycheck to paycheck...

[Diabolical]

Cool!!
A Project Manager with an Electrical background!! rare indeed...(snicker)
The position I am in right now puts me in the middle of 3 different Project Managers..
Not one has any real Electrical knowledge.. (I let them know this on a daily basis)

[lxtasy]

Hang in there. I was laid off for 3 weeks with out any sign of getting any work in my area. I sold my project/toy just to survive. Sucked because I didn't need to after I slipped back to my old shop and was "begged" to come back. Thank goodness. BUT, after the job we are doing now (banking alot of o/t) who knows what is next.

I know how it feels. I went through the 1st layoff with no problems , I stayed working. last one was the one that got me out. They laid 11 of us off. I am only 1 of 3 they hired back.

[az03sonoma]

Hang in there. I was laid off for 3 weeks with out any sign of getting any work in my area. I sold my project/toy just to survive. Sucked because I didn't need to after I slipped back to my old shop and was "begged" to come back. Thank goodness. BUT, after the job we are doing now (banking alot of o/t) who knows what is next.

I know how it feels. I went through the 1st layoff with no problems , I stayed working. last one was the one that got me out. They laid 11 of us off. I am only 1 of 3 they hired back.

Glad to hear your back to work. Sucks that you had to sell your project though... but good that you are banking the OT. I'd do that if I had the oportunity :cool4:

[az03sonoma]

Cool!!
A Project Manager with an Electrical background!! rare indeed...(snicker)
The position I am in right now puts me in the middle of 3 different Project Managers..
Not one has any real Electrical knowledge.. (I let them know this on a daily basis)

Ya, been in the trade since 1987. Started with my first employer as the fleet mechanic for a few years. Went from that to operating a backhoe, then into the field. Something about having the ability to use the phrase "I'd like to check your shorts" on all the girls at the TT bar stuck with me...:laughoutloud: been the trade ever since and I'm only on my second employer :10:

Tony

[dand355]

Tony if you like fixing old beat up junk come on over. There to cheap to buy new ones old rusted abused sh@t...oh well it's something

[az03sonoma]

Tony if you like fixing old beat up junk come on over. There to cheap to buy new ones old rusted abused sh@t...oh well it's something

I have a relative in New Port Richey, how far is that from you? I think they have a room available for me :hat: