Almost Terrible Mishap

He is. I treat him with dignity and respect. That goes a long way with these bozos. Our newest gm's mom still does his laundry and packs him a lunch. Gotta love it. Skeleton crew during winter. Hopefully when he weather breaks we'll get some more help. My rope man is getting worked into the ground because he's the only guy who can do anything but drag brush. Foreman has back issues so he does nothing. The kid is just a scrawny little kid. Still in observation mode and the other climber is impatient. He likes to bury them especially when there's 2 climbers up and 1.5 gm. Just skimming bye. It's actually comical if you could just live a week in my shoes. But hey, it's my choice and I love having work every day. What an awesome job!!'
 
Steve Connally said:
There is a company who'd take me. Good guys starting out. The money isn't worth my travel time and they spike Prunings. So where do I fit in around here?
Click to expand...
Have you discussed his practices and made a pitch as to why he should be doing it the right way and how you can help him do just that and be profitable? Instead of selling just your skilled labor, sell your knowledge. That may make up the difference.
 
Yes sir I have. Unfortunately his willingness to invest time and gear in learning that isn't a priority for him at this point. We've discussed it but he's reluctant at his point. He doesn't want to shake up what he's doing until he's certain they can make it. Doesn't make sense to me but it does to him.
 
Hard sell but, you may want to turn him onto all the companies that prune spikeless and apply new methods profitably. It doesn't need to be used in selling unless it's actually a buying motive for a client. A piece in his arsenal. You may even propose to him that you'll demonstrate the value for him at the rate he's willing to pay you for a set period, maybe a season and then agree to come up in wages if you prove to be correct.
 
Its a mentality thing for him I think. Coming up he always spiked pruning. He was the lead climber and his partner was the foreman where I work now. They finally just couldn't take it any more and moved on. When I first started where I am, they respected my refusal to climb w spikes on prunings. Even under direct order from the boss to tell me to spike, they honored my choice. They've brought me in for a few days when they had massive pruning jobs on high value properties because I climb spikeless. I still don't understand their reluctance to cross over. The key for negotiations will be waiting until spring when they get super busy again. There was even discussion of me training their rookie climber. It just kinda stalled out. Both partners feel my pain as they have been exactly where I am. I just think they are worried about keeping me paid what they think I'm worth and not having to lay any of their guys off because they can afford both. I talk to them regularly so the dialogue is ongoing. I haven't written off the possibility. The issue is you either have to commit to stay a small outfit or you have to grow in both personnel and capital assets. But you can't commit to grow unless you are sure you can sustain those investments. I guess I'm an investment they'd rather just call when needed at this point. Really what I want is to leave this area all together. I want to go west or at least to the mountains. I was just looking today at limbwalker and another outfit in Asheville. It's not gonna happen but I can wish rite? I'm being strategic in my decisions. I'm good waiting for the rite fit. I have know evils and I am dealing with them the best I can. After 3 years I'm pretty keen to the game. We will se what happens this spring. We have a new loader, new stumper, new truck, and maybe a new grapple coming. That's a lot to invest without having quality personnel. Maybe the boss has a plan he's not discussing.
 
I can feel your pain. It was a tough first few years when I moved to NJ. I stuck to my guns and finally saw the opportunity with the guy I subbed for. He went full time and now we're growing. We're on the same pages where it comes to doing things the right way, from business management, sales, safety and production.

Keep up the effort and it will pay off.
 
Read all the way through this. Hadn't realised it was still current!
<tip my hat> to you Steve!
I hope you don't mind, I actually copied and saved the text from your letter. That was very well written and addressed!!


As for all the "it's your fault for staying" type comments. <Shrug> them off. Life is what you make if it, usually the best you can manage at the time in less than perfect circumstances.
Address everything you can, as much as you can. Document as best you are able any time you have flagged an issues (particularly safety stuff).
Get your rope man to start putting stuff on the truck (if you aren't there and not one else will).

As for king douche!
Meh. Let him climb everything and anything he wants. One of my most trusted teachers told me "the day will come you first turn down a tree. You'll feel like a dick, but as you gain experience, you will come to trust your judgement and get over/past that feeling"

We had a case out here where a climber was basically told "climb it or you're fired".
Tree failed, major injuries, boss faced the music for not appropriately adhering to WH&S practices etc.
Control what is in your sphere of influence and move on.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

New threads New posts

Back
Top Bottom