Things (life) has been a bit of a rollercoaster of late. Financial and emotional turmoil and stress are the order of the day. it seems, the more we try / put in / "come to the party", the more the goal posts get moved.
Not too sure what I want to say here, suffice to say I have a lot going on, and can't see the light at the end of this damn tunnel. I also found a payslip from July 2004 the other day, whilst clearing out my bedside drawer, and lo and behold, I was clearing, after taxes and deductions, the same then as I do today. So, taking inflation and rising costs into consideration, I'm probably 30% down on earnings? Fuck, no wonder everything's such a mess.
What I wish for is for a big union (like Cosatu) to come into my employers space and recruit workers. I am convinced that once they start, there will be a mass migration to join them, I'll be on that list.
We are truly being abused, and whats worse, guys like me have no option but to put up with it. I mean, where is a 49 yr old, white male going to find another job today?
In discussions with the Princess, she who takes care of me, we came to the agreement that should I find a job overseas, that pays well, I can take it. This might mean being away from home for prolonged periods of time, but it all comes down to money now. Financial freedom (now there's an oxymoron for you).
The more I "tow the line" at work, and this year I really have been behaving myself, the more it seems my damager pants to trip me up. There is this culture of "the sales people dont know what they are doing, we need to treat them like children" in the office, and I'm really getting very pissed off with it. But that goes back to the MAWMLIA situation.
Spent some time over the past weekend with a friend, who's into new mining / prosessing innovation. He has, for some time, told me he wants me to go work for him. he knows what I am capable of, and is keen to get me on board. I have repeatedly told him that I would want a) as a minimum, my current salary, and b) assurances of at least 24 months empployment. On Saturday I told him what I earn so that's out of the way. I think he thought I was earning a bit less, but then he knows what I can bring to the party, so it shouldn't be a show stopper.
What is good news from him is that one of his latest "inventions" / "desighns" has been quite successful in pilot phase (about 5 kg per hoiur product) and he has generated enough interest in it to have got an order / funding, for a larger unit - about 1 - 5 tons per hour. If that works, and there is no reason why it shouldn't, then it's 25 tons per hour, and many, many machines. In fact the first oreder would be for about 8 machines. Build, install and commission would take about 18 months. During this time, he is sure that further order would come in from other clinents needing the same, so the business would feed itself, and I could be busy till I retire - now there's a thought. I also made him think a bit wider, throwing ideas at him, and now he's doing a test on a different product, and if that's successful, he will have doubled his possible client base.
All very exciting - let's just get on with it....... More to follow.....
Salagatle!
7 comments:
Unfortunatly they do not accept any unions. If they did they would have been in shit years ago.
Going overseas sucks! Its hard for the whole family. I have been part of this process for years. While I have seen a lot of the world it takes its toll mentally. Whatever you do dont go the the Middle East right now, its really a disaster. Read the blog "Jayne with a Why" also a Saffer to see what she and her husband are experiencing in AD. Good luck with your new career projects. :)
I would be name number two on that list...
How is it possible to get a rating that says you are an overachiever in most respects and yet you get a 0% annual increase? Fuck this...they want loyalty, let them go buy a fuckin' dog... First chance, I'm outta here...
Fishman, if the "PD" employees decide they want to unionise, my employer will have no option. There are some countries overseas where the employees of this company are unionised.
A2Z - I hear you, but there must be a better way to earn a living. I'm not looking to get rich overnight, or to retire in 5 yrs, only to earn what I know I am worth, and to do so happily....
Will check out your refered sites...
DMD - u got it on the nose bro. It's just not worth it anymore...
Salagatle!
I hear from a colleague in the know that someone tried to start a union a few years ago and eventually left when he found out that his email was being tracked at the leadership team's insistence.
Apparently, you need a "chorum" of staff (50% + 1) to start, or bring in, a union. I don't see that happening with us as (1) no-one wants to be victimised as above, (2) we'll be lucky to get a chorum.
I also heard that when a public sector client was outsourced to the company a couple of years ago, the company was very quick to shut down their membership.
Fuckit, I'm going to Toyi-Toyi outside the toilets...
8000 more laid off today - I'm scared to answer the phone - thats 29000 since January 1st....
Wreckless do what's right for you and your family - where we are certainly isnt the same and i've been at it 25 years now.....
Just got wind that there may be some "rationalising" going to take place here in SA. Don't know the details yet, just that there is going to be some focus on utilisation...
Keep your head to the grindstone, bro, and Brutha...
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