Economy Improving Yet?

[westcoastr]

I've been wondering if ya'll are seeing any signs of life in the economy across the nation? Not like it was a year or two ago, but are companies and jobs starting to pop-up, even a little? Or is it still getting worse or staying about the same?

[regularfella]

We Pipefitters here at UA Local 72 in Atlanta have a sizable Ga Power job in Smyrna and another big job in Chattanooga, Tenn; neither of which have started but it's looking good in the near future

[brandon113]

Not here in Texas looks worse than it did.....

[mla2ofus]

If BO and the dems get their way, I just don't see how things are gonna get better and I shudder to think what we're doing to our kids and grandkids.
JMHO,
Mike

[Magnetic Mechanic]

Just wait till we spend a trillion bucks to save money on health care:rolleyes::eek::realmad::confused:

[rmx5]

was laid off on monday.....along with 5 other employees

[Powerstroked]

I've been putting in applications all over the place in the MD/DC area. I'm a certified pipe welder and I can't even get a response. Looking at the shipyards in Norfolk now. Gotta do something here soon.

[GT Steve]

powerstroked,

I work as an engineer and was just looking at our careers site. They have openings for plate welders (X18 structural welders), pipe fitters (X42) which may include some welding, and AMSEC has a position open for a Master Tradesman (12+ years experience), looks like basically a welding foreman. You can check it out at careers.northropgrumman.com and search for jobs in the "shipbuilding" sector.

Good luck!

[Sparky#1]

If BO and the dems get their way, I just don't see how things are gonna get better and I shudder to think what we're doing to our kids and grandkids.
JMHO,
MikeIf BO gets his way I see a crapload of infrastructure work coming my way.

[Fat Bastard]

If BO gets his way I see a crapload of infrastructure work coming my way.

Nice pipe dream if you can afford the pipe.

[farmersamm]

Contraction of the economy taught employers a very big lesson

You can lay people off, and get the work done with less employees if you push them to the hilt.

Don't look for an upturn in employment anytime soon

[Powerstroked]

Contraction of the economy taught employers a very big lesson

You can lay people off, and get the work done with less employees if you push them to the hilt.

Don't look for an upturn in employment anytime soon

As some of you know I've been looking at some of these jobs all around the U.S. just to see what they pay. Some of these people want certified pipe welders to work for $11-12 an hour. This is just outrageous.

[scott brunsdon]

Come over here, guys. All is well. This week we signed Australia's biggest ever export contract - liquified gas - with the Chinese. Last week it was India. I reckon there will be a lot of pipes that need sticking together. Summer is coming, and the beer is better.

[Sparky#1]

Nice pipe dream if you can afford the pipe.For you maybe but not for me,it's already started.:laugh:

[ekfiely]

For you maybe but not for me,it's already started.:laugh:

good to know my tax dollers are keeping you working so you can pay my unemployment.....how long can that work???

[obewan]

We have had three engineering layoffs since December.

Now, the shop is getting worried and the rumors are flying. They are on 40 hours or less for the first time in the last 20 or 30 years, and they are being told there are more people than there is work.

Our jet engine business is down about 20% for the next 3 years, so the math is pretty simple when we only had a 15-18% profit margin to begin with.

[Sparky#1]

good to know my tax dollers are keeping you working so you can pay my unemployment.....how long can that work???Stop typing and start looking for a job.

[6010]

We have a bearing manufacturer that makes a lot of bearings for the auto industry that just called a lot of people back to work.

A tool manufacturer that was on short time just went back to five days a week, and I read in the local paper there were two new businesses opening up in the near future.

I am afraid it will take a little time before things get back to normal. Jobs have been leaving this country for many years - they are not going to come back overnight. I have really been surprised that with things as bad as they are, crime has not gotten as bad as I had feared. But the unemployment checks haven't run out yet.

[dellwas]

News reports indicate that France and Germany are out of the recession, and the following shows that the Canadian one is ending, so I suspect that Stateside will be coming out of it as well.

http://thespec.com/News/Business/article/621441

[ekfiely]

Stop typing and start looking for a job.

over the last 5 months I have sent out 0ver 57 resumes had about 3 interviews but when they have over 100 peaple to look at for 1 job I geuss 10 years of welding and passing the CWI test still isnt enough. ill keep looking but till i find somthing you just keep thinking about me when you look how much of your check went to taxes. I will take the money to feed my kids and keep my house that dousnt mean i agree with it.

[Sparky#1]

over the last 5 months I have sent out 0ver 57 resumes had about 3 interviews but when they have over 100 peaple to look at for 1 job I geuss 10 years of welding and passing the CWI test still isnt enough. ill keep looking but till i find somthing you just keep thinking about me when you look how much of your check went to taxes. I will take the money to feed my kids and keep my house that dousnt mean i agree with it.Listen,I'm not immune to being unemployed but I am fortunate to be a union member who's local finds employment for its members. I'm not thrilled with all of the taxes that come out of my earnings either but it is what it is so deal with it. I'm glad that out of it at least when unemployed I'm able to receive what I've payed into. Keep your head up man skilled labor will always be needed,also don't be afraid to go on the road.

[6010]

ill keep looking but till i find somthing you just keep thinking about me when you look how much of your check went to taxes. I will take the money to feed my kids and keep my house that dousnt mean i agree with it.

There is nothing wrong with you getting this money to take care of your family - it wasn't your fault the economy went bottom up. We had a business advertise for workers to fill their future expected work force of 300 people. The got 1000 applications in two weeks.

[gofaster]

employment is always a lagging indicator. In the last recession, even when the recession was over unemployment continue to increase for sometime afterward.

A recession is technically defined as two consecutive quarters of negative growth in gdp. as of this month, most indicators suggest the economy has stopped shrinking. Doesn't mean its started growing yet.

But unemployment will continue to increase. Old estimates were that it would 11+ percent. Now they're saying it'll peak just below that maybe later this year early next year.

2/3 of the US economy is driven by consumers so group psychology is a huge factor. The stock markets already gone crazy and that tends to be a leading indicator of economic conditions. People are seeing their 401ks go up by large amounts (which is relative since they fell so much, even a little gain ends up looking like a lot) has a big impact. Oil is already above 70 dollars a barrel and when u watch the financial channels like cnbc or bloomberg, the optimists outweigh the pessimists 2 or 3 to one I'd say. The pessimists are just pissed b/c they missed the boat.

If people stay in their houses and stop walking away b/c they're seeing their home prices either stabilize or start to go up that will be huge. The supply of houses on the market would then decrease and prices would start to go up further. I think this will spark latent demand of people waiting on the sidelines for things to hit bottom. We're already seeing that here in southern california, one of the worst hit areas in the country.

The Canadians are in good shape b/c their banking system was extremely conservative. Of course they're impacted b/c we're their biggest trading partner. The europeans are way behind us. They refused to stimulate their economies to a sufficient degree early on and now they're paying for it. The Chinese put up massive stimulus which is why they're ahead of us.

sorry for the length of the post...

[Fat Bastard]

Listen,I'm not immune to being unemployed but I am fortunate to be a union member who's local finds employment for its members. I'm not thrilled with all of the taxes that come out of my earnings either but it is what it is so deal with it. I'm glad that out of it at least when unemployed I'm able to receive what I've payed into. Keep your head up man skilled labor will always be needed,also don't be afraid to go on the road.

Your local find you jobs??? BS it is the contractors that get the work and choose to hire out of your hall.


Your employer by law pays 3-5 times into employment security tax than you do so thank your employer and your union for that as well, and don't bitcch when we make a profit on the job.

[Sparky#1]

Your local find you jobs??? BS it is the contractors that get the work and choose to hire out of your hall.


Your employer by law pays 3-5 times into employment security tax than you do so thank your employer and your union for that as well, and don't bitcch when we make a profit on the job.I don't know about Alaska but our Local places its members. I don't bitch about contractors making a profit I want them too. What I Bitch about is guys like you that Bitch about how much qualified labor cost while making huge profits.

[Fat Bastard]

I don't know about Alaska but our Local places its members. I don't bitch about contractors making a profit I want them too. What I Bitch about is guys like you that Bitch about how much qualified labor cost while making huge profits.

Huge profit? Huge? Right pal, get a clue. 15% over costs and I would be happy. That and reasonably priced health insurance.

And for $58.00 an hour I expect a lot more than "qualified" I require inspired god damned dynamos. Guys that I need to rein in every hour or so. .

[Burnit]

Things never seemed to get too slow for welders and machinists around here, the amount of
open jobs shrank quite a bit.

Up until a year ago, If you had enough of your welding/machining job in this area, you could have a new job lined up over your lunch break.

There were plenty of open jobs and the employers knew it, you asked for what you wanted per hour and if they couldn't pay it, screw 'em, some one will.

That kinda went away and there were some layoffs, but lots of places especially those that do heavy fabrication are still busy.

Oshkosh truck just had a huge job fair, they got some military contract.

We are busy as hell, supplying weldments to several larger companies including Link-Belt and P&H mining.

Almost everything we are doing right now has to do with power generation.

Tanks for transformers (really big ones), parts and assemblies for electric mining shovels used to move overburden off coal, lots of material handling equipment for the nuclear sector, and we may get a new contract soon for wind turbines.

[Sparky#1]

Huge profit? Huge? Right pal, get a clue. 15% over costs and I would be happy. That and reasonably priced health insurance.

And for $58.00 an hour I expect a lot more than "qualified" I require inspired god damned dynamos. Guys that I need to rein in every hour or so. .15% ????? Wow your working on a very low profit margin. Why ?????

[Fat Bastard]

15% ????? Wow your working on a very low profit margin. Why ?????

What makes you think that 15% profit margin is low?


















Because labor costs so much, and insurance, workmans comp, and now we get to pay people to buy cars, and send the prez all over the country selling us on the notion that the gubment can fix health care when they were the ones that screwed it up.

[obewan]

I work for the mighty GE and they are usually happy with 15% profit for our division. They have even been known to take 13%, and they have never asked us for more than 18%. But, crunch time has arrived. Now we are in a new division called "supply chain". That means we need to be a dedicated supplier of parts for years on end with only a 5% profit margin!!!! I suppose that will put an end to our famous generous annual bonuses!!!

[Sparky#1]

What makes you think that 15% profit margin is low?


















Because labor costs so much, and insurance, workmans comp, and now we get to pay people to buy cars, and send the prez all over the country selling us on the notion that the gubment can fix health care when they were the ones that screwed it up.Depends on the size of your workforce.

[regularfella]

I just got hired on the Atlanta Airport expansion job appr 3 wks ago. Job lasts until 2012. Will most likely turn out on this job. Hey Sparky, we have many of your IBEW brothers on this job as well

[Sparky#1]

I just got hired on the Atlanta Airport expansion job appr 3 wks ago. Job lasts until 2012. Will most likely turn out on this job. Hey Sparky, we have many of your IBEW brothers on this job as wellAtlanta has a pretty strong IBEW Local. I hope their is plenty of work for you guys out there.:)

[JLWelding]

I like the way workers think the contractor is just filthy rich. Come run my shop and make me rich, I will split it 50/50 with you.
I placed a add 2 weeks ago saying I needed someone to run shop, Your pay is based on the work you bring with you. I did not need a employee, I needed someone to estimate jobs figure cost and loses. You know I had 3 people apply, two where looking into it for a friend and one just needed a welding job. So I dont wont to hear about it, go to work the jobs are out there. So what you have to take a job for 15.00 a hour, you to good for that? In 1980 I took a heavy equip. job for 5.00 a hour and two weeks later we had a 5% pay cut. I stayed with them untill job market got better and moved on. The sooner you people figure out if the company aint making money you anit making money. duh
Sorry I had to vent.:angry:

[Sparky#1]

I like the way workers think the contractor is just filthy rich. Come run my shop and make me rich, I will split it 50/50 with you.
I placed a add 2 weeks ago saying I needed someone to run shop, Your pay is based on the work you bring with you. I did not need a employee, I needed someone to estimate jobs figure cost and loses. You know I had 3 people apply, two where looking into it for a friend and one just needed a welding job. So I dont wont to hear about it, go to work the jobs are out there. So what you have to take a job for 15.00 a hour, you to good for that? In 1980 I took a heavy equip. job for 5.00 a hour and two weeks later we had a 5% pay cut. I stayed with them untill job market got better and moved on. The sooner you people figure out if the company aint making money you anit making money. duh
Sorry I had to vent.:angry:That goes without saying,the contractors are always crying broke and they aren't making any money.:cry:

[JLWelding]

Some of us do not have a clue what it takes to run a welding Co. All they know is what they are tolded.

[Antibling]

That goes without saying,the contractors are always crying broke and they aren't making any money.:cry:


Not to reduce this to childish name calling, but I've seen both sides of the coin, my dad was a contractor, I was in the union before I got laid off, but you're just an asshat.

You have no idea how much overhead actually goes into a business. All you know is you better get yours or you'll get the union involved.

As far as the union, good for you that yours lines up work for you. Mine didn't do anything but pass along well wishes for the future.

So to sit there in a union that does find you jobs, to tell someone they aren't trying hard enough to find a job without anyone just handing them jobs, asshat move.

To sit there and talk about contractors like you know how it actually is, you should be on the other side of the coin in the bad years, my dad always made sure we never went without and I've never been spoiled, I've worked for everything I've gotten, but he also made sure his employees never went without their work & pay, they were making more money than him. So to talk about contractors & companies like you actually know what it's like to run a business, asshat move.

[Sparky#1]

Not to reduce this to childish name calling, but I've seen both sides of the coin, my dad was a contractor, I was in the union before I got laid off, but you're just an asshat.

You have no idea how much overhead actually goes into a business. All you know is you better get yours or you'll get the union involved.

As far as the union, good for you that yours lines up work for you. Mine didn't do anything but pass along well wishes for the future.

So to sit there in a union that does find you jobs, to tell someone they aren't trying hard enough to find a job without anyone just handing them jobs, asshat move.

To sit there and talk about contractors like you know how it actually is, you should be on the other side of the coin in the bad years, my dad always made sure we never went without and I've never been spoiled, I've worked for everything I've gotten, but he also made sure his employees never went without their work & pay, they were making more money than him. So to talk about contractors & companies like you actually know what it's like to run a business, asshat move.Before you call someone an asshat consider yourself one too. I happen to be the son of a retired contractor so I know a whole hell of alot more than you. Fingers can be pointed in both directions,my fathers company was run down by his partners poor buisness practices. Not to say he didn't make out well but you can't blame everything on unions and workers.:gunsfirin

[JLWelding]

Before things get real out on a limb, I think this got read wrong. I am talking in general, most folks wont it handed to them and when people do such, it has no meaning to them ,they did not earn it and with that, is no pride in workman ship. Like said in the other post, people think it is beond them selves to take a job that payes less than what they where making. If I didnt take the 5.00 hr job I may have not ever got to where I am today. Not that I am rich money wise. But if I wont to go fishing guess what the shop might be closed until further notice.:drinkup:

[Powerstroked]

Before things get real out on a limb, I think this got read wrong. I am talking in general, most folks wont it handed to them and when people do such, it has no meaning to them ,they did not earn it and with that, is no pride in workman ship. Like said in the other post, people think it is beond them selves to take a job that payes less than what they where making. If I didnt take the 5.00 hr job I may have not ever got to where I am today. Not that I am rich money wise. But if I wont to go fishing guess what the shop might be closed until further notice.:drinkup:

Their are a lot of people that would kill for an $11.00 an hour welding job. But when you have 250+ people applying for one of them, it doesn't really matter what you want because the employer has you by the short hairs. That's the way it is around my way. My friend that works for Rec & Parks had over 3,000 people apply for one job. People aren't refusing jobs, they just can't get them, at least around here anyway. You would think being close to a major city that jobs would be easy to come by, but it isn't working like that for some reason.

[cmartman46]

Alot of oil field related offshore/inshore boats are being tied up in south Louisiana from I heard this from my buddies down there.

[mark8310]

Ummmmm...... what's this bit about all our dads???? What does my dad, or your dad, have to do with today's day and age???? MY dad,,,, worked for the fed government all his life, never gave me a penny. Ten year gap, between his retirement, and me starting business. As it should be. I,,,, I,,,, am a contractor,,,,, I have no concept of what my dad did previously,,, how it has any bearing on my status today. I ask him how to get a gravy fed contract today???? "hey, bud,,,, no idea,,,,, you are on your own". "Sorry"...... As it should be.

I do thank my dad, for having enough business sense,,,, to pass some on to me. "Pay your self first" .... umm,,, how do you do that??? "DON'T spend money you don't have,,,, don't stick your neck out too far, just be sure you can pay your bills" .... "Pay yourself first, is more a function of proper planning, than withholding payments from others." "You is a smart boy, you figure it out"

Yeah, Dad. Thanks. http://slagpit.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gifhttp://slagpit.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif Not sarcastic here, my real thoughts.

[Fat Bastard]

That goes without saying,the contractors are always crying broke and they aren't making any money.:cry:



It goes with out saying the IBEW is full of whining little girls .

[Sparky#1]

It goes with out saying the IBEW is full of whining little girls .Say that to one of their faces.:)

[obewan]

The layoff rumors are flying here again. One engineering manager told his people there will be a fifth engineering layoff in one month. He got his butt reamed out for spilling the beans. They really should be up front about this stuff. I think there is even a fedral law that says that two months notice is required, but I think it only applies if more than 60 people are let go, so here they just do it in batches of 5 or 10 at a time.

I could take a lateral transfer to a welding engineering position at the oil and gas division in Houston. The problem is I have a brand new condo that won't sell in Jacksonville. I talked to the realtor yesterday and he told me the $136,000 units were selling for $75-$85,000 dollars! Gee, at one point only a year after 2005 they were all the way UP to $179,000! It is as bad as the stock market! LOL

[Sparky#1]

The layoff rumors are flying here again. One engineering manager told his people there will be a fifth engineering layoff in one month. He got his butt reamed out for spilling the beans. They really should be up front about this stuff. I think there is even a fedral law that says that two months notice is required, but I think it only applies if more than 60 people are let go, so here they just do it in batches of 5 or 10 at a time.

I could take a lateral transfer to a welding engineering position at the oil and gas division in Houston. The problem is I have a brand new condo that won't sell in Jacksonville. I talked to the realtor yesterday and he told me the $136,000 units were selling for $75-$85,000 dollars! Gee, at one point only a year after 2005 they were all the way UP to $179,000! It is as bad as the stock market! LOLCan you sublet ? If so hit the road.

[pkt51687]

Even tough for the labor providers, rumor is Tradesman International is closing offices and reducing payroll across the board 10%.

[JLWelding]

Oh you havent heard Osama is going to save us all, sorry Obama, never mind it's the same guy. Anyway all you have to do is put your family in det untill the youngest hits 95 then the economy will slowly pick back up again, or you can throw 15 trillon at it and hope something sticks.

[swsweld]

We're bidding a job next week in central NC that has 42 general contractors bidding on it, so far.
The point is that there are too many companies for too little work. So, out of those 42 contractors at least a few of them will give stupid low prices just to get work, use low skilled labor, do a sorry job, try to cut corners, use the cheapest products possible, try to change order everything and then some and knock several more deserving companies out of the work. Sorry to be so bleak and no I'm not telling you contractors where the job is ...until it bids :)

Unemployment is usually the last thing to improve after a recession. Hopefully it will pick up soon.

[obewan]

Well, things at my job took a turn for the worst. The press today reported that they did not approve the second engine for the Joint Strike Fighter. Now the government is captive to one supplier. Our managers had demonstrated that having our engines would save billions over 10 or 20 years. 60 people here work on the JSF. If approved, it would have been 120. Now it will mean 60 layoffs. And for all the Obama bashers, this is one to post up. He said that even if funding for the second engine was approved that he would have vetoed it. So, that puts him on my rat list. LOL

[swsweld]

Obewan,
I'm sorry to hear this news. I knew that some military projects and some industries would suffer and some others would do well with the new administration.
Not bashing just observing the change.
I hope it all works out for you.

[quasi]

Come over here, guys. All is well. This week we signed Australia's biggest ever export contract - liquified gas - with the Chinese. Last week it was India. I reckon there will be a lot of pipes that need sticking together. Summer is coming, and the beer is better.

beers better? whatever lies you have to tell yourself to get through the day. at least you will have paychecks to buy all your mediocre beer

[mn welder]

dont feel bad i emailed 5 states worth are welding shops with websites and didnt get much if it gets worse a man like me doesnt have a prayer

[obewan]

Well I have seen this coming for two years now and the other shoe finally dropped.

Yesterday I got my layoff notice. My last day of work will be Nov 27th. If it is any consolation, they assured me it is strictly due to cashflow problems and not performance and promised me excellent references. I will get a weeks severance for every years service and a cash bounus of 10% of annual salary. (Plus govt layoff money).

When I started here I had 85 new weld procedures to qualify. This entire year I had less than 5!!!!! I am suprised they kept me on as long as they did.

Now I have a major challenge to sell my new condo and relocate to a new welding engineering job. The condo has fallen at least 1/2 in value and I don't want to rent it.

One option is to get my CWI and get work with one of the inspection firms in town.

[Antibling]

I caved and took a welding job that pays less than my unemployment. On top of that, it's working nights again. On top of that, went to orientation and while I work 4 10s holiday days are only paid as 8 hour days. On top of that I don't get insurance for 90 days. On top of that it's an all around crappy place to work. FML

[gbolasalawu@hotmail.]

Every other sector depend on What Engineers and designer we do to manage this stituation we are in the world. In ''US Green colar job'' in UK Green Environment. alternative energy source. Welders should not left behind we are at the central of all pocesess

[gbolasalawu@hotmail.]

my case is different, I need a welding job urgently I got to Uk from Nigeria , where I have been working with big Steel fabricator Company, I put every thingtogether to get to Uk and Get A Degree In mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering to Butteress my Welding Skill Now I ned a part time Work To survive my study here in uk please help economy situation not improve u can get back to me At gbolasalawu@hotmail.co.uk

[bdurham1]

Makes me glad I'm retired. My son in law has been looking for a while and seems no closer to a job.