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JOE96924 t1_jdjfx8p wrote

I work in highrise construction and little by little non-union is taking over. It has unfortunately been on the fast track the past few years largely due to the unlimited, cheap workforce that the non-union companies have now. They pay these people very little and they don't het benefits but they don't know what the real cost of living is here yet and we're losing all of the rights and legitimate pay that the union members fought for all of these years. Many friends have lost their homes and I was even out of work for 6 months last year after working every day through covid. I just think that it's wrong to give away freely what others have made as their career and take advantage of the situation. When you get free room and board, the money they make may seem like a lot. I know when I was out of work, I still had to pay rent, etc. I kissed the unemployment gravy train, I got laid off the month after the bonus money stopped when the rest of the people went back to work. Yeah I'm bitter, I don't like it. I think we should also care about what happens to our own life long residents but that's not what happens.

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TatankaForever t1_jdjguqh wrote

I had no idea the struggles of the Union members of the construction industry were facing, thank your for taking the time to educate me on this.

I think this is a legitimate concern and one we all should strive to fix. It unfortunate that this new cheap labor influx is destroying the rights those in the labor force, like yourself, fought so hard for. I offer my condolences for your struggles and thank you for working to make the city better through your work on the infrastructure here in the city. I hope one day we can find a solution to these problems, and I’ll keep this information in mind when I next talk to people about the subject matter and hope to educate them as well. It is unfortunately the best I can do to assist, is spreading information the best I can when appropriate.

As an insider to the industry do you have any solutions to fix the issues facing the industry of union construction labor?

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JOE96924 t1_jdjhmkq wrote

I'm just a worker, I wish I could solve the problems but our politicians aren't helping and we're largely overlooked. Thanks for responding in such a civil manner. I really enjoyed our chat and your outlook. Have a nice weekend:)

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TatankaForever t1_jdjhtmr wrote

I enjoyed it as well. Thank you and have a nice weekend as well!

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