07-03-2008, 05:37 AM
Jay,
Point taken about a living wage. What will you pay your 15-18 year old helpers?
I have a friend who has worked in the building trades for 38 years. He is a contractor with a license and is a master cement mason and can build the heck out of a rock wall, but can do it all. He is happy with $25/hr. He has always paid his men well, btw.
My question to you is: how does one afford to pay casual labor $20/hr.? I am not wealthy. Most of the day laborers I have had need absolute supervision. Even with that, they have made mistakes when I turn my back for a few moments. I can work circles around many of them and, often, have to in order to keep them working. It's exhausting having employees, if you ask me.
While I totally agree with you that wages have not kept up with cost of living, especially in Hawaii, that means ALL wages have not kept up. Mine included. If one is wealthy, then, of course, I think you should pay what you can afford, especially for a GOOD worker or a skilled worker.
If I had to pay casual labor $20/hr. I would not be able to hire anyone.
april
Point taken about a living wage. What will you pay your 15-18 year old helpers?
I have a friend who has worked in the building trades for 38 years. He is a contractor with a license and is a master cement mason and can build the heck out of a rock wall, but can do it all. He is happy with $25/hr. He has always paid his men well, btw.
My question to you is: how does one afford to pay casual labor $20/hr.? I am not wealthy. Most of the day laborers I have had need absolute supervision. Even with that, they have made mistakes when I turn my back for a few moments. I can work circles around many of them and, often, have to in order to keep them working. It's exhausting having employees, if you ask me.
While I totally agree with you that wages have not kept up with cost of living, especially in Hawaii, that means ALL wages have not kept up. Mine included. If one is wealthy, then, of course, I think you should pay what you can afford, especially for a GOOD worker or a skilled worker.
If I had to pay casual labor $20/hr. I would not be able to hire anyone.
april
april