Workers of the World........

[BigJon]

"Workers of the World unite you have nothing to lose but your chains". What does this mean? How many of us out there would like to ban together stop the cut throat under bidding and poor quality work? Is the value of quality tree men being brought down by fly by night companies? I feel tree workers as a whole are under paid not just me but everyone. I believe the only way to inflate our rates is if we all stick together. We all win, even the little guy.

 

[TreeDr]

BIGJOHN, Take the bull by the balls and form a union. UUTW (United Union of Treeworkers. I'll join

 

[Stumper]

Then what? Are we all expected to join the Socialist Party or something?

 

[BigJon]

Any party is a good party. I just think we should ban together. What we do is dangerous and technical. I remember a time when I was in a union and fighting over a new contract and they wouldn't give us more money because we weren't skilled labors? Are we skilled labors and who decides if we are?

[ August 22, 2002: Message edited by: BigJon ]

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Most of us are already in an organization, or two, that should be speaking for us. This is an issue that the ISA and the chapters should be addressing. How much publicity does any of our chapters present to the public? It sure seems like a "union" of the chapters and the state urban forestry agency would be a good way to let the public know about professionalism in arboriculture. I don't think this is an issue that an agency employee would promote on their own. But, a team approach might be feasible.

If you are familiar with the work of the early union organizers you'll know how much, and dangerous, the work of organizing is. There is a huge resistance by the "others" to becoming professional and operating at current standards. Did anyone ever see the movie "Joe Hill"?

Tom

 

[Riggs]

I wouldn't want anything do with a union , you would be more salary capped than you are allready .Real good tree climbers(productive , safe , motivated ) are few and far between and some people couldn't make money if they worked at the Franklin Mint . I doubt you'll ever see a major change in the pay scale of a tree climber in our lifetime . People are too cheap as a whole.

 

[roachy]

I dont mind sticking togeather but a union I dont want that its hard enough getting people who want to work hard a union would make that harder.A good employer will see quality and dedication in your work ,if you have it,and they will reward you for it.Few of us aside from Glenn(Riggs)are getting rich climbing trees but we have come a long long way.
sorry Glenn just jealous.

 

[frans]

While checking out the great climbing in Seattle this year I jacked up (I mean spoke with) several ISA big whigs: Mary K. Schmitz, director of finance mschmitz@isa-arbor.com, Derek Vannice dir. of educational programs dvannice@isa-arbor.com, and Eric Duchinsky educhinsky@isa-arbor.com.
These folks told me that yes advertising for ISA arborists is being considered. Becouse of the incredibly high cost of placing ads in such mag. as Better Home and Gardens, or that National Geographic, the ISA is considering placing articules extolling the merits of modern day arboriculture.
I was very encouraged by their response.
I encourage ISA Cert. Arborists to lend your voice to this campaign by contacting the above folks.
It is through active membership that we as a group can raise the standard (and prices!)of our chosen craft.
Frans

 

[MrPez]

Educating the public on trees is definitely the way forward!

I've thought long and hard about this before. I, and others I have discussed it with, think that TV would be the best vehicle to carry the message. I don't know about the USA, but the coverage really would be national with one series in the UK.
TV companies are always looking at material to use, and I think our industry is so diverse it could educate and entertain. It could be a documentary or a series based on tree work with lots of humourous incidents that we all know, and have people on their knees laughing at in the pub!

Just a few minutes listening to Prof.Claus Mattheck, Alex Shigo and others with vision, and seeing what legislation has to be complied with, risk assessment and planning has to be done before the tree can be worked upon, will make people look at both trees and tree workers/managers/researchers in a whole new light.

If we can help the general public see a little of what we see when we look at a tree walking down the street (simple bio-mechanics at work, target pruning, pests and diseases), they will appreciate the level of training and knowledge that goes into managing urban trees. This will have the knock on effect of the public seeking a good firm by asking pertinent questions that they have been informed upon. Companies that don't fit the bill, will have to retrain and prove their competence to win contracts.

So how about the ISA setting up a script writing competition for such a programme. Two categories, one for a humourous series, and one for a documentary?

 

[Ghivelder]

I would go for an action movie:
Something like "The trees strike back" or "Tree wars II - the revenge"

Sergio
www.treeclimbing.it

 

[Nate]

You can keep your unions.

If you consider the low balling, "hack" ladder guys competition, then maybe you should re-evaluate your own personal situation and skill level. I never worry about these people. Not every person out there is a customer I want. Some people just want to pay less for inferior work.

I heard that American Forests mag had a TV show about champion trees.

ISA does not do enough to advertise for certified arborists. Most of the public does not know the difference between certified or a member. The dairy association advertises milk, why can't ISA do the same for arborists? I would pay more for it. Now the only benefit of paying their fees are getting over priced publications at a slight discount. The ISA is more of a business than a business organization. I am sure that this will change with time.

Have observed this board for a few weeks. Finally had to speak.

 

[BigJon]

I am not really talking about a union per say but I just think there should be a little more organization. I have had my share of the "union" and it sucked. All it was was another hand in my pocket. I am just saying we should stick together. Weed out the underbidding nonclimbing hackers and then raise the cost of such luxuries of having a man risk his life so a tree can look pretty. I really don't think I tree would die if it still had dead wood in it. I think survival of the fittest would have took them out a long time ago if that were the case.

As far as our employer rewarding our hard efforts I feel they do. I just think we need to take a closer look at we charge per man hour. The employer can only afford to give up a percentage of what he makes.