Your thoughts on minimum wage

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I had a reasonably tolerable experience temping some years ago. I started doing it when I wasn't getting enough callbacks for permanent jobs. It was technically unskilled office work, but I was very attractive to temp agencies due to my typing speed. I didn't sweat the prospect of just being told not to come back the next day, but in practice this never happened - either I had assignments that had clearly defined start and end dates, or the places tried to hire me.

My last temp job turned into a pretty decent media job. As far as I could tell, there were two main reasons for them using a temp agency - one was that it was a way to get around corporate moratoriums on hiring. As time went on, people would get bought out from the agency either as contract workers (still due to corporate limits) or full fledged employees. The other reason was that it was a way faster process than actually interviewing & hiring people themselves - they were way too busy at the time to block out chunks of the week for that.

That said, before I ever talked to a single temp agency I was well aware of most of the forms of abuse possible (I think the Star used to cover the topic a lot in the 90's) and tried to be smart about it. The only problem I ever had was sometimes an agency would oversell your capabilities (but still underpay you)
 
inreb said:
Good points BrownBrady. As a tradesman I've worked along side others and it's been discussed many times "we should start our own business". Not gonna happen for the reasons you outlined. Of course we all know people who absolutely will not work for others come hell or high water. Nobody said starting and running a business is easy (gov. will make sure of that) but for certain personality types it's easier and the only option. That can lead to seeing their employees as dirt.
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That's so true, but you can still apply your entrepreneurial tendencies and still remain as an employee. I didn't complain or squat outside my customer's offices when I didn't like what they were paying me. Instead, I offered more value-added services, negotiated better terms, or finished off the contract/took the loss, and looked for more customers. Looking for new customers was equally difficult and frustrating as looking for a new job. This is why raising the minimum wage feels like another handout to me. It removes the drive of people to "own up". Instead of looking at the minimum wage as a way to oppress me, I look at it as an inspiration to negotiate better terms, find an additional job, or to go find my next boss.
 
Yea. I worked for companies like that too. When i was an aircraft mech me and half the company got laid pff the second the owners heard that Zoom airlines bankrupted. News was announced at noon, 2pm i was called and said not to come in, ive been laid off. So when people chirp about two week notices by employees and how its not enuf, screw em.

caboose56 said:
In some companies it won't matter how had you "go get em". You're still just a number and you're just as expendable as the person next to you.

I was laid off along with 95 other people. Some full time, some contract, some in idle departments, some in departments working overtime that actually had job postings on monster to bring in another head. Yup. Makes sense. I don't know a single person there that loves their job and they are a big employer. Everyone full time says they put up with the BS for the pay. And the contractors are just hoping for full time.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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BrownBrady said:
That's so true, but you can still apply your entrepreneurial tendencies and still remain as an employee.

This is why raising the minimum wage feels like another handout to me. It removes the drive of people to "own up".
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I hope I'm following you correctly. A lot of people don't realize how much trades people "apply entrepreneurial tendencies". It's nothing like Mike Holmes or any of the other home improvement shows. Often times you do not get the support of company owners/management that you would assume is in their interest to give you. They drop the ball all the time once they know you'll do back flips to see a job thru all the while reminding you who cuts the cheques. Being able to think on the fly and improvising is almost like running the business. Some employers don't want to acknowledge how lucky they have it once a business is established. Of course there is a whole spectrum of scenarios.

Same with the minimum wage. Some businesses can support better wages than others and when you have very profitable businesses offering minimum wage on the basis of it's a buyers market and would pay even less if they could....it goes both ways.
 
inreb said:
I hope I'm following you correctly. A lot of people don't realize how much trades people "apply entrepreneurial tendencies". It's nothing like Mike Holmes or any of the other home improvement shows. Often times you do not get the support of company owners/management that you would assume is in their interest to give you. They drop the ball all the time once they know you'll do back flips to see a job thru all the while reminding you who cuts the cheques. Being able to think on the fly and improvising is almost like running the business. Some employers don't want to acknowledge how lucky they have it once a business is established. Of course there is a whole spectrum of scenarios.

Same with the minimum wage. Some businesses can support better wages than others and when you have very profitable businesses offering minimum wage on the basis of it's a buyers market and would pay even less if they could....it goes both ways.
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My bad, it was me who wasn't following you correctly, I think. In my case, I got a taste of the competitive tech market in my first job posting with a low-paying wage and got a poor response (from GTA applicants anyway). I had to bump up the pay to get better qualified applicants. I lost one employee because he felt I was not paying well enough. Since then, we reviewed and re-negotiated every year because I valued their talents. I agree to your point that some businesses can support better wages than others but still offer minimum wage --- but many still choose to accept these positions. Had people flocked to my low-paying job posting, or had that one employee not been brave enough to quit, I would not have raised the pay rate. I can only imagine that if tradespeople that you mentioned had done a similar thing (re-negotiated/walked out), they might have been rewarded more. But I don't have a clue how rare talented trades people are, and how competitive that industry is. :(
 
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BrownBrady said:
My bad, it was me who wasn't following you correctly, I think. In my case, I got a taste of the competitive tech market in my first job posting with a low-paying wage and got a poor response (from GTA applicants anyway). I had to bump up the pay to get better qualified applicants. I lost one employee because he felt I was not paying well enough. Since then, we reviewed and re-negotiated every year because I valued their talents. I agree to your point that some businesses can support better wages than others but still offer minimum wage --- but many still choose to accept these positions. Had people flocked to my low-paying job posting, or had that one employee not been brave enough not quit, I would not have raised the pay rate. I can only imagine that if tradespeople that you mentioned had done a similar thing (re-negotiated/walked out), they might have been rewarded more. But I don't have a clue how rare talented trades people are, and how competitive that industry is. :(
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I think that works in every field and occupation. Companies that pay below average salaries find higher turnover rates. Companies which pay decent wages and treat their employees fairly are rewarded with low turnover. Ive left jobs before as I felt I could make more elsewhere and I did with some good searching and a bit of luck.

My previous employer (before we got closed by mother firm in the US) had very low turnover and paid decent wages to their employees. Obviously everyone complained but when you look at industry avg we were paid above the avgbut people will always complain.

I'm also happy with my wage at my current employer although slightly below my last one. But that's just the way it is. However the experience being gained is awesome and I think it'll round out my experience way more than previously.
 
I've really never respected a job agency. I think of them as mercenaries & I must do the same
 
I saw this on the internetz and couldn't help but think about this thread

Gotta love the Republicans, lol

r-BOSWORTH-403xFB.jpg

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/01/gop-food-stamps_n_5246559.html
 
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RockerGuy said:
I've really never respected a job agency. I think of them as mercenaries & I must do the same
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I am with another company now but still in the defense industry. I went from a company with head offices in the US, to a company with head offices in Norway. Moving from one work environment to the other has been a life altering experience. The pay is better than with my previous contract position, but still a bit low compared to other comparable full time positions...... However, I love working for my current company.

I feel particularly sad for new engineering grads because the job market is still awful. They will have to put up with years of contract position jobs, while making their $500/mo OSAP payments, and if after two years they are sick of the contract BS they still have nothing to bargain with. If they are not willing to do the work there are thousands of other EIT's out there who will.

- Hey boss, I've been here two years.. if you don't roll me over I'll quit.
- Ok, bye.
 
My first job was through a temp agency....14 years old, they sent me to a powder coating company where my job was to go in the giant ovens (after being off for 15-20min cool down) and clean/pick up items that may have fallen. I remember going home at night and blowing black mucus out of my nose because we weren't provided any protective gear. Obviously numerous red flags fly when I think back but at the time I was determined to buy my first bike at 16 years old....which I did.
 
Ya but now that you're in Canada every thing is fine, right?
 
caboose56 said:
I

I feel particularly sad for new engineering grads because the job market is still awful. They will have to put up with years of contract position jobs, while making their $500/mo OSAP payments, and if after two years they are sick of the contract BS they still have nothing to bargain with. If they are not willing to do the work there are thousands of other EIT's out there who will.

- Hey boss, I've been here two years.. if you don't roll me over I'll quit.
- Ok, bye.
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I think its become tougher for alot of job sectors.......just look at the folks graduating from teachers college.
Although at GE we had a few new engineer grads for $25-$30 an hour under contract, and GM hired a few directly.
Our coop students get $22-$27 an hour.
 
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murf said:
I think its become tougher for alot of job sectors.......just look at the folks graduating from teachers college.
Although at GE we had a few new engineer grads for $25-$30 an hour under contract, and GM hired a few directly.
Our coop students get $22-$27 an hour.
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I feel bad for the teachers trying to get jobs too, but that situation is a little different from what I've experienced. For them it's often the union rules that keeps new grads from finding work.

I don't think "socialism" is a bad word, I also don't think a higher minimum wage is a bad thing. However, there are lots of other things that need to change in order for that to work. Major social changes, a major ideological shift in how our government operates and a big change in how we deal with foreign trade.

One thing I am certain of, is that a country like Canada that is rich in natural resources should manage them to benefit all of it's citizens. How those resources are plundered by corporations with no benefit to you and me is disgusting. Pretty sad. That doesn't have much to do with minimum wage but in my mind it all ties in with the way I see how this country could be run.
 
caboose56 said:
I feel bad for the teachers trying to get jobs too, but that situation is a little different from what I've experienced. For them it's often the union rules that keeps new grads from finding work.

I don't think "socialism" is a bad word, I also don't think a higher minimum wage is a bad thing. However, there are lots of other things that need to change in order for that to work. Major social changes, a major ideological shift in how our government operates and a big change in how we deal with foreign trade.

One thing I am certain of, is that a country like Canada that is rich in natural resources should manage them to benefit all of it's citizens. How those resources are plundered by corporations with no benefit to you and me is disgusting. Pretty sad. That doesn't have much to do with minimum wage but in my mind it all ties in with the way I see how this country could be run.
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At the end of the day its every man for himself and you will never change that.
 
My company has a lot of 1 and 2 year contract positions in the mississauga/brampton area. If anyone is interested send me a PM. (i most likely wont be on here tomorrow but i will be on sunday to check in)
Yes its a temp agency but its not casual work, you are given a contract and guaranteed those hours plus possibility of overtime at time and a half and double time....and minus the occasional canceled shift when the building has to shut down for annual inspections and repairs.
$14 per hour, plus afternoon premium, and a chance of a full time position.
Crim background check required.
 
EaZ8 said:
My company has a lot of 1 and 2 year contract positions in the mississauga/brampton area. If anyone is interested send me a PM. (i most likely wont be on here tomorrow but i will be on sunday to check in)
Yes its a temp agency but its not casual work, you are given a contract and guaranteed those hours plus possibility of overtime at time and a half and double time....and minus the occasional canceled shift when the building has to shut down for annual inspections and repairs.
$14 per hour, plus afternoon premium, and a chance of a full time position.
Crim background check required.
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14 an hour ? Im assuming this is a position as a security guard?
 
Paul1000RR said:
14 an hour ? Im assuming this is a position as a security guard?
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Nope, general labor in a warehouse.
We have a health plan option after about 3 months.

Security pays about 12 or 13 a hour, I can set people up with that if thats what they are looking for. I know the security manager
 
Warehouse is hard work. Kudos to those that want to work it. I've done my share of ****** work
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