I wonder why I pay dues

z31maniac wrote: I'm completely with Datsun1500 on this one.

Plus another 1.

Lots of people I know recently got a 17-22% pay cut. I was not offered a position on the new contract so I was looking at a 100% paycut. I could sympathize with them, but after a while grew tired of listening to them complain about how they were being treated. I kept telling them that 80% is a lot more than 0%. Eventually, after coming down to the end of my 2 week's notice, I managed to get a new position with no pay cut, so it seems like it worked out in the end for me.

It's a bit disturbing that so many people want to take pot shots at the OP here. If you think he makes too much, then change career fields and go work at a casino. Datsun1500 has it right IMHO.

Or he could change career fields to get what pay he feels he deserves...

I've taken paycuts in the past. You know what I did (and it wasn't posting about it on a forum)? I freshened my resume and got another job. I know, crazy thinking!

In reply to T.J.:

Well, the man has options, doesn't he? If his labor is worth more than what he is being paid, presumably he can go elsewhere to get a higher wage. If noboby else will pay him more, he is probably receiving a market correct wage. So, it looks like the OP either doesn't wish to seek out another job paying him his fair worth or that an unsustainable gravy train ended at his current job.

How about taking a different angle?

"I just got a big pay cut, which kinda sucks. But I'm still pretty well off, since I still make 26% more than what the US Census says is the median income ($33,161). I'm also pretty proud of my union. I have benefited for 10 years from an overtime arrangement that is much better than what the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act requires. Now I get what is legally required, but I am happy I did better for so long. The good news is that I still make a lot more than most people, and I do it in a part time job which enables me to take additional work and augment my salary. I know there are a lot of folks out there suffering, so I feel very fortunate. I'm gad to have a job."

I can personally name more than 100 people who would trade places with you in a heartbeat, including me. My training was as a stagehand, and I'm from NJ, so don't think it can't happen to you. Gratitude will get you a lot further than bitching.

Frankly, if I was your boss or your union leader, I'd do my best to show you the door.

I am sorry to hear about your pay cut. I know the pain. But 80% of the workers in my industry in my area are unemployed, and 70% of the commercial retail real estate is vacant. I am thankful for what I've got. Gratitude is great. I highly recommend it.

I just got a solid pay bump with a new job in april and if I lost it next month I'd be stressed out about money, even if my wife and I weren't exactly hurting back in march.

Whether or not it's distasteful to complain about hit to your salary in this economy, I have sympathy for anyone who gets hit with the cutback stick. Losing salary hurts WAY more than gaining salary feels good. Almost everyone spends close to what they make, so there's no one who can just lose 25% without sacrificing stuff that was "normal" for them.

If someone came here and complained that their race trailer loaded down with a Porsche GT3 was stolen, I'd expect "sorry, bro, that sucks" rather than "berkeley you, I can't afford a Porsche!"

In reply to ppddppdd:

Not me. I know if I got fired tomorrow, there'd be a good chance that I couldn't replicate my current salary unless I was willing to move or wait an undetermined amount of time to find the perfect job. As a result, I save about 25% of my salary through retirement and just plain old savings. I figure I could pretty easily find another job making 75% of my current salary.

Every time I get a raise, promotion, cost of living increase, whatever, I just put that entire amount in savings. I don't increase my spending. This makes my life far less stressful.

SVreX wrote: How about taking a different angle? "I just got a big pay cut, which kinda sucks. But I'm still pretty well off, since I still make 26% more than what the US Census says is the median income ($33,161). I'm also pretty proud of my union. I have benefited for 10 years from an overtime arrangement that is much better than what the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act requires. Now I get what is legally required, but I am happy I did better for so long. The good news is that I still make a lot more than most people, and I do it in a part time job which enables me to take additional work and augment my salary. I know there are a lot of folks out there suffering, so I feel very fortunate. I'm gad to have a job." I can personally name more than 100 people who would trade places with you in a heartbeat, including me. My training was as a stagehand, and I'm from NJ, so don't think it can't happen to you. Gratitude will get you a lot further than bitching. Frankly, if I was your boss or your union leader, I'd do my best to show you the door. I am sorry to hear about your pay cut. I know the pain. But 80% of the workers in my industry in my area are unemployed, and 70% of the commercial retail real estate is vacant. I am thankful for what I've got. Gratitude is great. I highly recommend it.

This right here.

Otto Maddox wrote: In reply to ppddppdd: Not me. I know if I got fired tomorrow, there'd be a good chance that I couldn't replicate my current salary unless I was willing to move or wait an undetermined amount of time to find the perfect job. As a result, I save about 25% of my salary through retirement and just plain old savings. I figure I could pretty easily find another job making 75% of my current salary. Every time I get a raise, promotion, cost of living increase, whatever, I just put that entire amount in savings. I don't increase my spending. This makes my life far less stressful.

THIS.

ppddppdd wrote: If someone came here and complained that their race trailer loaded down with a Porsche GT3 was stolen, I'd expect "sorry, bro, that sucks" rather than "berkeley you, I can't afford a Porsche!"

THEFT is not the same as CHANGE IN VALUE. The first is a violation against the owner. The second is a natural occurrence, for good or bad. I didn't come on here and bitch when my house dropped to 60% of its previous value and my retirement investments did the same or worse. Yes, they both sucked to see happen, but they were not the same as having something stolen from me.

This thread did not go as intended, I'd wager.

Osterkraut wrote: This thread did not go as intended, I'd wager.

The Union would like to inform you that you need to pay us 5% of your wager. Also, your wager is cut by 25%. Thank you for supporting your Union.

I mostly just needed to bitch. I live in Southern NJ.. where rent on a small one 1/2 bedroom apartment runs me about $800 a month, insurance on two old cars is almost $200 a month (liability only, no accidents or tickets in 5 years years) and other aspects of life is VERY expensive.. so no, $42,000 does not get your very far.

My really big beef is that one of the places I work at.. the Borgata, is NON-union.. and we just got a dollar raise.

And trust me.. I know what it is like to bring in $0. I spent 9 months on unemployment when the economy first tanked. They simply stopped doing shows and cut half the full time employees in half.

Personally, I am surprised at the sour grapes I am hearing. I live and work week to week because I never know what I will be working next week. Last week I did 56 hours in those 4 days.. (between two different casinos) and the week before.. I did 12

SVreX wrote: How about taking a different angle?

Just curious, is there anything you haven't done? Honestly, it seems like every thread dealing with these situations, you've worked said job and been in said situation. I know there is that whole old age thing, but damn you've moved around

DILYSI Dave wrote:

mad_machine wrote: I have a degree... just not in theatre. I have a communications degree in Broadcasting.. but unless I want to live in Philly or NY, it's impossible to make a living doing that down here. now before people think I make 76,000 a year... last year was my best year yet.. at $42,000 gross. I typically only work 20 to 30 hours a week.. and unlike a lot, do not get any benefits.. everything comes out of my pocket. NYC (IATSE 1) and Chicago (IATSE 2) are the only places that make more money than us... but they also work a lot more than we do. I am typically idle mon, tues, and wed, and most of thursday and sunday

So you bring in $42k a year working 3 days a week. Not too shabby.

Seriously. I'm not trying to pile on the gang-bang or anything, but get a 2nd job 2 days a week and make mack money.

Interesting aside: I wonder if I'm just getting to that age where what I think is 'good money' isn't 'good money' anymore. We were getting drunk by the pool at the challenge last year with some 20-somethings (I won't name names) who didn't know the vice president's name.

Anyway, one of the kids is going on and on about how bad his job sucks, and how it's not "challenging" enough. I do my "Hey, berkeley it man, you're young, the economy sucks, just be happy you have a job." On and on he goes, and then mentions he's ONLY making THIRTY FIVE berkeleying DOLLARS AN HOUR.

"YOU MAKE $70,000 A YEAR and you're complaining about sitting on your ass in front of a computer all day?" I says. "I'd play milk the berkeleying trouser-snake with my boss every day for $70k a year!"

I would. Seriously. Any takers?

No sour grapes, mad machine. I'm really not trying to go all democrat on you, and I know we all need to vent. Look at the responses as "Hey man, it could be worse."

mad_machine wrote: now before people think I make 76,000 a year... last year was my best year yet.. at $42,000 gross. I typically only work 20 to 30 hours a week.. and unlike a lot, do not get any benefits.. everything comes out of my pocket.

might as well jump on the "bash mad_machine" band wagon for a moment

I've got 2 associate degrees ( both in the engineering field ) and would gladly take your gross... and I typically put in 45 - 55 hrs / wk

so this probably isn't the best forum in the world to try to find some sympathy when making more than $40k

you do realize that we'll all get back to loving you for who/what you are after we get over our own rants don't you... ?

I am one of those people too HiTemp. When I was in college getting my degree.. I was working at the theatre there, and either working at A: pumping gas B: local radio station C: DJing at a skating rink D: or managing a furniture warehouse.

Later on, I was editing video for a living AND working for my uncle doing building maintance.

Then I was working at a Theatrical rental house AND working at another Radio Station..

this is the first time in my life I am not working multiple jobs at once... and even then, I work for multiple employers doing the same thing.

You pick up a LOT of skills and experiences doing that kind of living.. and it wears you out

What is with all these people getting paid by the hour? I haven't been paid by the hour since I made minimum wage at a record store working my way through college. Smart companies pay salaries so they they can work you 60 hours a week at no additional cost.

Datsun1500 wrote:

" I says. "I'd play milk the berkeleying trouser-snake with my boss every day for $70k a year!" I would. Seriously. Any takers?

Got a photo? Are ya cute? Soft hands?

Silky smooth, baby. I pay myself to post E36 M3 on internet message boards all day while the rest of you suckers are out there getting your hands dirty.

Otto Maddox wrote: What is with all these people getting paid by the hour? I haven't been paid by the hour since I made minimum wage at a record store working my way through college. Smart companies pay salaries so they they can work you 60 hours a week at no additional cost.

I made that mistake once...

Datsun1500 wrote: Please do not act like you have 2 jobs. Mad_machine is only working 3 days a week according to **the post he himself made eariler in this thread**.

You had a typo, but don't worry, I fixed it for you.

HiTempguy wrote: Hell, I only earn $24/h and pay WAY more taxes than you guys could ever dream of (and probably have twice the cost of living expenses as food/rent is literally twice as expensive up here) and I went to college. Just got a raise today though, so I guess I shouldn't complain

If Alberta is anything like Ontario, the Canada/US tax situation is not nearly what you think it is, especially now.

MM, Don't blame your union, blame your brothers. it was THEY who voted to accept.

For the last 2 years, I've only worked 3 days a week. Since I transferred, I'm now working 3.5, but I get paid OT for the extra hours

I'm a commisioned technician, so you won't get any union sympathy from me.

Every dime I make I had to prove myself and work hard for. If I am not making enough money, then I need to step up my game. If I want a raise I don't have a union leader to go argue my point, I have to set up a meeting and do my own negotiations. If my shop doesn't have enough work to keep me busy, then I have to go find one that does. My wages are as performanced based as it can get. So cry me a river about how your union that has collective bargaining to get raises and benefits for you that others have earned.

Want a rant? I now have to pay more taxes so that all the crybaby CA union workers can get free health care, 8 weeks paid vacation, guaranteed employment, and six figure pensions. All while I get no sick days, 2 weeks vacation, a measly 401K (that I actually have to pay into), and insane healthcare prices.

Is anybody just elated with their current situation? All I hear is people going on about how bad their situation sucks and then they point out that they never complain about it.

I am more or less content at my job.