Comments on: Going Rates For Unskilled Labor?

By: This annoys me… - [tmbchr]â„¢

This annoys me… - [tmbchr]â„¢ — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 21:28:46 +0000

[...] I’ve written about going rates for skilled and unskilled labor in the past, so I won’t rehash that argument. But I wanted to highlight this one for a common theme: “you should go into the ghetto and find yourself a drug addict laborer.” As if every person who works below a certain dollar-per-hour figure is a drug addict. The other common phrasing I’ll see is “crack addict,” as though only people with severe chemical dependencies are willing to work for reasonable rates. People need to get a clue! Articles With Similar Themes: [...]

By: Un/Skilled Labor in Reality - [tmbchr]â„¢

Un/Skilled Labor in Reality - [tmbchr]â„¢ — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 04:53:33 +0000

[...] After finding yet another posting on Craigslist about the subject of fair wages for skilled and unskilled labor, I decided to post something in the wrong category (I posted it as a “gig” when it’s really just a rant) since that’s where the conversation is happening on the ground. Here’s how mine went: I appreciate the comments of people who have been posting on the subject of going rates for various grades of labor. Buuuut it seems like people are being perhaps a tad unrealistic. [...]

By: Big Elk

Big Elk — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 04:19:42 +0000

Preach on, sister.

One thing I’ve learned from doing manual labor is *EXACTLY* how expendable/replaceable I am. That, and how damned easy it is to get really badly hurt and completely lose my earning power for the rest of my life. That shit is very sobering.

By: Julia

Julia — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 04:16:36 +0000

Wake up, you’re all dreaming. If you’re in a union and in a strong union town (like Chicago) you may be able to make over $10.00/hr. $65.00/hr for MID-skilled?!? Even then work is thin. Work hard while it’s there, save up for lay offs and pray that your coworkers’ drug/alcohol habit catches up with him before that day comes.

If you’re not in a union you are competing with disposable people from other countries. When residents in the halfway house I work at get upset at the racism they see I ask them if they would lose an eye or use of an arm if that meant they could buy a house for their family? They all say yes.

By: Big Elk

Big Elk — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 01:12:43 +0000

Another CL poster on this:

http://baltimore.craigslist.org/lbg/895642971.html

Here are some tips….

1) Skilled Tradespeople: (i.e Plumbing, Electrical, HVAC, Trim Carpenters) don’t get out of bed for less than 50.00 an hour.

2) Handyman: 30.00-75.00 an hour.

3) Painters: 1.00 per sqft.

4) Drywall hung and finished: 50.00 a sheet.

5) Carpet and Flooring: 4.00-5.00 a sqft.

6) Hauling: Figure 100.00 a load