We have been following the various articles in the paper and so many of our elected officials are squeezing into the picture eager to announce the "hundreds" of jobs that will be created. We also noticed and appreciate the multi-million dollar grants and government payouts that are making these jobs possible.
That all makes great news, the governmental assistance is welcome and neccessary to stimulate the industry..............
With all of that said - we have yet to hear what kind of jobs these will really be. Will they have hourly wages that will help someone maintain a middleclass lifestyle? Will they pay enough to buy a house in Ulster County? Will they have a health plan that covers the employee? What about family coverage? Is there any chance of having something put away for a retirement or pension plan?
The sad part is that the great majority of our "leaders" will shudder at the prospect of someone asking that question.
Just once it would be nice for someone who is considered a "leader" - someone who is in place to help the residents - someone who feels that just creating "jobs" is not really good enough unless they are "good paying jobs" - to ask the "hard" questions.
The sad fact is that is a subject that you are just not supposed to speak of or ask questions about. To do so would make you an ingrate - or someone who is "crossing the line" - a jerk who is looking a gift horse in the mouth.
Want proof of that??? When was the last time you heard any of our "leaders" ask about it? We believe the answer to that is.....never.
So consider the question asked - can someone explain to the community - what kind of jobs are our millions creating?? And please don't give the generic, fluff-off answer - be specific.
Please - don't take this wrong - we hope these are great paying jobs with great benefits. If they ARE, they are worth every penny of investment and MORE.
But can somebody answer the question, "What kind of jobs are we really creating and what are the particulars concerning the COMPENSATION FOR THE WORKERS THERE?
We believe that in order for those jobs to REALLY BE good paying jobs with good benefits - they need to be covered under a collective bargaining agreement and the people should be represented by a union from the area.
The good news is that inroads are being made to ensure Ulster residents get something worthy of their investment and "good" jobs are not just an afterthought in the process.
Hey........somebody's gotta do it.
5 comments:
Greetings Bullhorner, I am in my cockpit early this morning,good buddy! Great posting, this question needs to be asked. Nothing would make me happier than to see good paying jobs with benefits and oppertunities to come home to the area by way of these preposed solar jobs! However, I have seen too often the "fluff" that is generated by local politicians on the front page of the newspapers telling the people what good jobs they're bringing to the area only to see it never come to fruition, or a lot of hoopla over mediocre jobs that dont' have bennies or a take home pay that is meaningful. I too am taking a risk at sounding ungrateful, but lets keep it real folks! I'm observing with lots of hope spiked with a little cautionary cynicism...
Although you can bet your bottom dollar they will not be union jobs, I believe that Mr. Brady from Precsion Flow said the jobs would high tech in nature and would be in the 35-60k range. The bottom end of 35k is no where a living wage, however the top end of 60k is getting there.
The proof is in the pudding and when these people start spending the paychecks locally, then I will believe it. Until then, sign me Doubting Thomas.
PS. Hasn't Hinchey announced hundred and hundreds of jobs? Where the Hell are they?
As a former IBMer my advice to the people who get those jobs is to form a union. At least they will have a written contract. As someone who had a "high tech" job without a contract and took a screwing from Big Blue, I speak from experience. Don't let the "high tech" label fool you into leaving it all up to the company, I don't care what they tell you.
I have asked everyone I know if they know of any person who works there? No one does - seems weird or is it bs and only poltically connected are on payroll?
Prism Solar - the "crown jewel" of TSEC on their web site reports....
"Currently Available Positions at Prism Solar Technologies:
No positions currently available.
Please forward your resume to Shannon Whitlow, s.whitlow@prismsolar.com or fax to (845)883-4200 ext. 103."
where is all the money going that Hinchey got them if they do not have any openings?
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