Let's hear it for the Ground-Man!!!

[Lumberjack]

Originally posted by MasterBlaster
Ha! Good luck there Carl, old buddy!

So far it is working out great, but there is still room to improve (duh).

 

[Lumberjack]

Originally posted by Rich Hoffman
IMO the crew that we are is as good as it can get. Everyone gets along and looks out for everyone. In this biz this is a requirement, too much danger involved. Most of the time work is almost not like work. It is great when you can have fun and make money at the same time.

Awww comeon therer is always some room improvement. It is nice for the groundies too look out for the climber tho.

 

[rahtreelimbs]

Husky288XP ( formerly Husky288 ) is a great example of a good groundman. He shows up on time, has his own gear and is just plain standup. We were doing a fair size Sycamore back in February. When he was running ropes for me things were real smooth, almost as if nothing was happening. Future work has him included.

 

[rahtreelimbs]

Originally posted by Lumberjack
Awww comeon therer is always some room improvement. It is nice for the groundies too look out for the climber tho.

That's true........but.........understanding that no one can be perfect pretty much leaves it as I stated.


Should have said "is about" as good as it gets.

 

[Lumberjack]

Just ribbin ya.

 

[rahtreelimbs]

Originally posted by Lumberjack
Just ribbin ya.

Cool LJ, didn't take it that way.

 

[Lumberjack]

Goose fra-ba



Didnt mean to ruffle the feathers, my bad.

 

[xander9727]

I start guys out at $8 if they have little or no experience. I have several incentive programs to get guys to increase their proficency and level of knowledge. I payed up to $15 for a really sharp, skilled guy. A good groundie takes a little time to cultivate. I've learned that you can always replace brawn with equipment or mechanical advantage, there is no replacement for brains. I try now to pick them smarter vs stronger. If they work with me long enough they'll end up strong.

 

[rahtreelimbs]

Originally posted by Lumberjack
Goose fra-ba



Didnt mean to ruffle the feathers, my bad.

No prob. Although my saddle does crunch the family jewels every now and then!

 

[TreeJunkie]

Originally posted by coydog
How do you know they're not too bright if you don't speak their language?

Before you jump to conclusions you might want to ask whether i speak the language or not, and by the way i'm not that bad actually 4 yrs in hs and 1 in college....thanks for trying to make me look like a jerk though, better luck next time..

 

[Jumper]

I never saw anyone pay $15 hour for a groundman in Canada, $12 is about the upper limit and there are still some people out there paying $8, though do not know if they get any takers. One place I worked for was only paying his climber $13 per hour.

This is a classic case of you usually get what you pay for. $10 or less per hour gets you an inexperienced, often immature so called worker who often has severe financial, chemical dependancy or personal problems. He or she often is ill, does not show, or if he does is under the influence of something. Often the drivers licenses of these people have been suspended for DUI of non payment of child support, which in my book makes them useless as a groundman These people do not last long, and drift on to another job or are fired. The same help wanted ads for these companies appear over and over again in the Job Bank listing on line, perhaps if they attracted a better quality worker with a little more $$$$ they would not have so many personnel problems.

On the other hand I have had an employer that paid me groundman wages, but expected me to prune and climb smaller trees. No problem, but on a $400 plus hedge job, I think I deserve more than $50 (4.5 hours @$11 per). I left there, got this job and I see they are still trying to get someone out there; cripes how many people at that wage even own a car to drive all the way out there)

I have taken the time to learn my knots, understand general rigging practices, bought all my own equipment, have a valid commercial drivers license, current first aid and CPR qualification, do not abuse chemicals, and believe I am worth at a minimum $12 per hour in this line of work. but many employers out there do not think so in general terms, preferring to pay their people as little as legally and adminsitratively possible, and then wonder why they can not attract, let alone hold onto workers.

I likely will be doing this again when I return to Canada but I am a little wiser as to what is acceptable (not only in terms of $$$) from an employer. I am sure the good companies exist, but they do not often advertise because they hold onto their employees by treating them right!

 

[Jumper]

My point exactly, though you have expressed it in black and white terms. These same companies are looking for people over and over again, because in large part,

They are dangerous as employers to work for;
They do not pay their people enough;
They do not pay their people on time or for use of personal equipment and vehicles;
As a company they are adminstratively inept;
They do not support their employees with safe and serviceable equipment to do the assigned tasks;
They abuse their employees, verbally, emotionally or physically;
They over assign work and do not pay over time as required by law; and
They are a two bit hack outfit that no respectable groundperson would be caught dead working for around reputable arborists.

Or combinations of the above

My observations over a three year period.

 

[coydog]

whether you speak the language or not any time you use the terms el salvadorans not too bright refried beans and hustle all in one sentence you come off sounding like a jerk in my book.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

Brandon's post could have been worded better, but he did say they were very good workers.

One thing he did not mention is that one of the formen of his uncles company is Hispanic. So they are not a bunch of rednecks over there.

I think the comment was a case of familiarity and a comfort level which we cannot guage.

We forget that we are really a bunch of strangers here and tend to fall into speach patterns we would use with our buddies.

 

[TreemanFJR]

Originally posted by YUKON 659
I've got a great groundman....ME!!!! My son does the climbing for me. But I'm making "all" the money!!!

Jeff

Your son is lucky to have you as the groundman! I try to appreciate everytime my dad is the ropeman because having to teach someone new each time can be a struggle.

This is my first time posting guys and I think its really cool to find a place where i can pickup information and learn new things. I found out about this site from a link on the isa site.

Take it easy!

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

Welcom aboard FJR!