Posted on 09/27/2009 9:40:37 AM PDT by Saije
Over the past 25 years, Larry Valdez has worked as an electrician in Grand Junction, Colo.; Duluth, Minn.; Salem, Ore.; and more than a dozen other places.
A skilled tradesman with a union card, he could always hop from one job to the next, building a mall, a power plant or a microchip factory. Five years ago, he landed in Las Vegas as developers were breaking ground on a series of lavish hotels and casinos on the Strip.
Thousands of carpenters, ironworkers, electricians, pipefitters and other tradesmen were lured here by the concrete and steel rising from the desert -- and the promise of steady work and higher pay. Known in the trade as "travelers" or "boomers," they have long served as a sort of a roving labor pool, providing the skilled manpower needed to get big projects off the ground -- no matter where they popped up.
Now, many of those Las Vegas construction projects have been mothballed or are nearing completion. Usually, Mr. Valdez, 52 years old, would be striking out for the next job by now. Instead, he has been out of work since April, with no prospects, even as construction cranes continue to dot the skyline. "All that work is just sitting there," Mr. Valdez said. "You can see it right across the fence before your eyes. You just can't get to it."
The economic downturn has hit construction harder than most other industries. The unemployment rate for construction workers was 16.5% in August, double the rate a year earlier and the highest of any industry. The industry shed nearly a million jobs in the past year, a fifth of all jobs lost, as development slowed nationwide.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
Maybe he should join his brother Juan in the coffee business.
Welcome to my world, mr. tradesman.
Al Gore’s energy green car company is getting over 5 ot 800 million of tarp money to build his green car in Finland. Maybe there is a position for this electrician in Finaland! If the green car company doesn’t show a profit, no sweat off of Gore’s back, its just the tax payers money that is lost. If the car company makes a profit it goes to Gore not the tax payer. You see what all of the global warming $hit is all about? Lining the pockets of Gore and other politicians. That’s all! The union workers have also been the driving force of business moving overseas.
What happened to all the money he made as a highly paid UNION worker, when times were good. He was propably making 4 x the average salary. Did he not put any back?
A construction worker can’t find work? Where are all these shovel-ready jobs 0bama promised us?
He’s only 52. He’ll be shovel ready when he turns 65...
When nationalized healthcare kicks in, there'll be plenty of 'shovel work'.
“What happened to all the money he made as a highly paid UNION worker, when times were good.”
Probably living on it like the rest of us. You have to make a whole lot of money these days to have enough to set aside to stop working at 52, unless you live like a monk.
Construction work has always gone in cycles (which is why I left it years ago). I woke up one day and realized I was getting older and there would come a day I would not be able to work. I needed to find a steady job and plan for my future.
There is nothing unusual about this man’s story except that the down turn may be longer than normal.
However, having said this, there will always be work for a skilled tradesman (just not at the wages he would get on a union job).
Obamas slogan: No Job Left Behind.
Just close your eyes and visualize a calm, beautiful green job, building solar panels for unicorn farms in Lollypop Land.
There, see how easy that was? Now cash your imaginary paycheck, and keep voting Democrat.
Just drove down the Vegas strip and there are at least three enormous building complexes with tall towers that look stalled. One is named the Fontainebleau and the sign says it’s opening Fall 2009. There is no way.
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