Labour pay scales?

[Jock]

How many of you companies or individuals employ foreign labour? if you do which I just happen to know some American Arb companies do, are they paid the same rates as an American would be paid? and if not, why not? Dont jump on me please, theres a lot of bad feeling and silence when a company feels it needs to answer questions to cheap labour. I personally employ foreign labour, and my reasons are I cant find it here, and thats the truth, not just me as a company but many UK companies, I cleared 3.5 hectares of overgrown christmas trees in 9 days, thats 10-11,000 trees averaging 12-14 ft, I used and paid for Latvian's to cut and drag to the chippers, 4 men cutting and dragging, these guys wouldnt stop, it was like a competition to see how quickly they could finish the job, the labour was hired to me from the c/tree farm owner. Myself and the owner agreed with local labour they would have stretched it to 12-14 days!! For this particular job i paid these guys £11.00 per hour for 72 hours each. Any feedback if any would be appreciated.....Jock

 

[TREETX]

I would say that I pay them the same but that there are few Americans that will do physical work at all and few that will do it for the wage offered.

 

[Jock]

Actually in one of the TCI mags, it referred to foreign labour as Alien Labour

 

[Treeman14]

I tried to hire a climber from England a few years ago. After reams of paperwork, months of waiting, thousands of dollars, and many phone calls, the INS informed us that H1-B visas were being held indefinitely. Huge hassle for us and our prospective employee. We gave up and haven't tried again since.

 

[Toddppm]

Anybody try H2B workers? Alot of landscapers are using them and seem to be real happy.

 

[treeclimber165]

What's an H2B worker? And why would a landscape laborer be qualified to work as a groundman?
I think that the inherent risks involved when working under a climber would eliminate most people who are used to digging holes or pulling weeds for a living. A completely different mindset is required.

One crew I climb for has an excellent groundman. He's worked there for almost 4 years and he looks out for me as well as keeping the job flowing. He makes $150-$180 per day and earns every penny. I climb for another company that pays $75 per day for groundmen and he cannot keep good help. Most are unmotivated and not bright enough to work under a climber who has a running chainsaw. I'm constantly having to watch them more than what I'm trying to do. I also have to keep close tabs on my lifeline so they do not drag it across the landing area towards the chipper. I usually have to do most of my own roping because none of them can tie (or untie) a knot. I also have to time my work so I can come down and gas my own saw because they screw it up almost every time.

 

[TREETX]

Yes, it is prejudice. I pre-judge potential workers based on apperance, experience, and yes, race plays a role. I can count on one hand, with fingers left over, all of the Americans I have worked with who could do labor work hard, fast, steady, and show up on time sober.

I have used Mexican labor that have broke and stole equipment. But I have worked with countless numbers that could really get it.

My current right hand man IS American. Hard worker and honest as they come. Tell him to meet at 7 and he is there at 6:50.

The pay does not change based on nationality but people of other nationalities are drawn to fair pay for hard work, simply showing up to work hard and finish a job for a check.

The pay may seem lower but I feel no need to jack up the pay to the point it would take to meet the opportunity costs for most Americans to put down the cheeseburger, get away from the TV, and go sweat for a pay check.

 

[Toddppm]

Originally posted by treeclimber165
What's an H2B worker? And why would a landscape laborer be qualified to work as a groundman?

You've never trained anybody? They're qualified in that they want to work and show up!
H2B is the same kind of program that Brett was talking about, just never heard it as H1B? You pay for them to come in from wherever and they can only work for you. They stay for a set period of time, seasonal 8 or 10 months? I haven't checked into it too much, don't need it right now.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

These are both occupational temporary visas allowing 6 month stay.

H1B is for skilled workers and supermodles, H2B is for unskilled labor. Which makes the H1B harder to get because the unions lobby for tighter controls.

 

[TREETX]

You look at an idividual and pay them accordingly? That is prejudging!! I go by apperance, experience, and performance. I will trade some of all of those for honesty.

Doing a little pre-judging keeps me from having to deal with sorry mo fo's.

Why does prejudice bother you?? Do you not prejudge a tree?? Do you judge a strong oak differently than a dead cottonwood??

You can have preconcieved ideas without being a racist. Anyone who is not a dead head, shows up, and thinks on a job gets good pay from me reguardless of race, tatoos, length of hair, etc.

 

[Yellowdog]

I need some Latvians! I have been scared to bring in employees (temporary, part-time, or otherwise) but my business is growing so fast that I can't be everywhere at once. I have worked with Mexican nationals but language is a barrier and so is immigration status especially since the Sep. 11 attacks. I understand that East Europeans, Asians, etc. often learn English and come to America to work hard. Alot of Mexican nationals don't learn English for some reason and I won't work with someone who doesn't speak the language that I (for safety reasons).

I want to pay someone good who wants to work hard. I don't think 12-15 dollars (US) would be out of line for a good brush dragger and all around helper.

 

[TREETX]

That is a great wage, especially for the Bandera area. I'm making assumptions