Thank goodness My job is secure with both the business of internet sales/shipping and being a Teamster. Once again we had a record peak season at UPS, and we were still heavy after the New Year. Things have finally returned to normal.
When I started at UPS eleven years ago, the ratio of boxes with MADE IN THE USA could be seen on a frequent basis. Now when I pick up a box off the slide, it will most likely display MADE IN CHINA.
It's a shame the manufactures want profit over quality, and the public wants inexpensive products no matter where they're made. I call it shopping without conscious. Unfortunately we are not given a choice for our needs in many cases. Walmart... ya don't want to get me started on Evilmart. They're just at the top of the problem. All the retailers are guilty.
Foreign cars are made here, but their profits are going back to the manufacture country of origin. Funny how Toyota wants to move to Detroit. Not long ago I went to Red Wing Shoes. Now there's a firm you would think still carries American made shoes. The shoes I ended up buying were yes,... The last time I bought boots from Red Wing ten years ago, they were still made in the States. Next time I'm going down to Nelsonville, OH to buy Rocky boots. I hope they haven't decided to import their shoes.
I don't have kids so I really don't know first hand what their direction is going. I do know my nephews aren't interested in any of the labor trades. Only one displays any interest in tinkering with his tuner Honda.
One thing I rarely watch is these reality shows. Channel grazing, I watched a little of Real Housewives of Orange Co. One of the kids was complaining about starting out as a parts gofer in a Benz dealer. "Its not air conditioned and too hot." I had to LOL! I just wanted to jump through the TV and throttle the kid about starting at the bottom and working your way up. I never got a cake job handed to me, and I'm still waiting.
Many years ago I had my friend Jim go into welding engineering at The Ohio State University. He graduated with a bumper crop of engineering degree holders touting at the ceremony, "We have jobs, we have jobs". I lost count how many jobs my friend Jim has had over the years.
My older sis went to OSU for a degree in computer engineering back when punch cards were the technology of the day. She had a job as a computer programmer for Bausch & Lomb for many years. She was let go due to a restructure. Six months after they let her go, they had to call her back to finish a program she was in charge of. She told them to contact the temp firm she was under contract to. She got paid better with the temp firm than B & L.
Brad, it would be a wise thing to keep your eye on what jobs are available if the axe is looming to fall. Just remember when one door closes, another opens.
Hey, UPS is always hiring. It's hard physical work and ya start at the bottom with lousy pay. But as far as benefits go, they're the best I know of even for part timers. I know many part timers that have another PT job, and they stay on at UPS just for the benefits. It's also a gateway to get into a full time job or to go into management. I don't think it's needed anymore but you can use me as a reference.
