Progressives want to see the end of the Skilled Trades, because they believe that all labor should be subsumed by Andy Stern's SEIU.
The Skilled Trades built the vanishing American Standard of Living and the American Middle Class.
Skilled Trades Unions are always targeted by media investigative cadres. There is never an inquiry of the power and corruption within Services Employees Services Union. That has been the case since the Leftist SEIU devoured the old janitors unions back in the 1970's.
Today a Skilled Tradesman, Plumber Michael Hanley, hits back at the broad brush media smears. Well done , Mike!
Plumbers work hard, earn their pay
December 26, 2009
While I agree with critics who say the city plumbing inspector accused of violating codes should be fired, why bring his salary into it?
I am a union plumber and proud of my trade, though I've been laid off for 21 months.
What do critics think is a fair wage?
If I were working now my salary would be similar, though as a private-sector plumber I would not get paid holidays, sick days, vacation, etc.
I am tired of people commenting negatively on our pay and charges for work performed.
I and every other union plumber out there went through five years of apprenticeship, and we work very hard to earn that money, whether that's rodding out sewer systems, plumbing single-family homes or 95-story high-rises. We do the work that you don't want to or don't know how to. It's a skilled trade, and you pay for that skill.
Without qualified plumbers and the plumbing inspectors, everyone's health could be put at risk through improper water connections or sewage disposal.
Instead of complaining how much a plumber makes, next time thank him for providing safe drinking water for you and your family and for getting that razor out of your sewer that you flushed down the toilet so your home isn't backed up with raw sewage.
Michael Hanley, Canaryville
Wow! How bizarre...I google myself, and BAM! There's a little rant I wrote 3 years ago. I was 21 months off then, and 36 more now. I am "working", but sadly the economy hasn't gotten back enough that I can be a full time Union Plumber again, but I am looking forward to that day! Thank you for the acknowledgement and my feelings are still the same. My childhood friend's father, a MD, often told me when I'd say "Oh, I'm just plumbin'..." when asked what I'm doing: "Plumbers save more lives in one day then I will in 10 years..." Thanks Mr Szwed, I'm still "Just plumbin'!"
ReplyDeleteMike Hanley