The Weight of Labor

Standing on a walkboard, this carpenter is removing a solid pane window. Creating a hole in the building, that invites things that are a discomfort. The importance of removing and replacing in a single day is top of mind, when attempting this task.

In my late 20s, and I found myself at the desk of a commercial maintenance company. At that point, it was a means to an end. Advancing from my time in retail management, to managing trades people. Landscapers and plumbers mostly. Helping occasionally with electrical and HVAC. Buildings needed to be maintained and repaired. And our job was to resolve these issues.

From the view of where I sat, we were the gate keepers. Some of my co-workers believed they sat at a seat that required respect. Talking down on the trades people who signed contracts with us. Establishing their dominance, with no remorse.

But headaches always grew into eruptions.

The frustrations the clients would go through when their buildings failed. With only the smallest movement to a resolve. The impossible feeling of those corrections, when finding a trade. Even the insanity of dealing with our own internal politics. It would break those who were not ready, for the unknowing and uncontrollable stress.

I learned very quickly, that I did not have a chance of accomplishing a single job from my desk.

Not without the sweat of another on the project.

A carpenter is on a roof repairing a section of the roof that has become a problem from past tree limb damage. To completely remove any section of a roof, can lead to sections of the interior from being further damaged if not handled correctly.

For the few years I was in management, the importance of taking care of my trades people was key.

Where most of management puts the client first, real success begins with the trades.

When I took care of the people who knew how to complete the projects, my clients were more satisfied. This did not rely only on monetary rewards. Most times, it was standing behind the decisions they made. Nudging them to believe in their value. And most importantly, making sure they were paid. And paid on time.

Almost a decade into my own journey as a carpenter, it is more apparent what the trades people under me dealt. Diminishing the hierarchy of an administrative role in my mind. 

This house had the option for adding additional living space, but the joist were undersized for any live load. By completely replacing the ceiling joist, unused space can become usable.

Where does this disconnect begin?

Ultimately with ourselves. The first person we ever take care of, is ourselves and our families. Physically, mentally, and monetarily. A lot of business owners, and managers look to increase their own earnings. While pinching pennies is not a bad thing, when we trade one skilled labor for more affordable labor, the cracks only start to show with time.

I have also heard the argument be redirected to protecting the clients bottom line. But the real redirection, should be how can we best use our clients investment, to deliver the expected product. If we take that investment to just getting the job done, the client will most times be unhappy. Cause getting the job done, doesn’t always require skill or best practices. And once the client is having a bad experience, it never begins with the administrator, but with the labor.

If we convert investments to labor, to produce better results, then most times all parties end up happy. 

Its more than just a body to apply a product. Having a painter who understands their products, is what defines a long lasting application, from one that will fail in a year. Here a painter is applying a transparent stain over an exterior wooden tongue and groove ceiling board.

So, how do we get there:

 - Training our trades on best practices. 

 - Developing customer service skills. 

 - Clear understandings and development of their actions to monetary value. 

 - Occasional off-site training events 

 - Protection of their decisions (when applicable)

 - Building the importance of their labor and worth (both with self-confidence and monetary)

The forementioned advice could be writings on their own. But if administrators do not take care of their labor, they will unfortunately be without work themselves.

The environments worked in can be dangerous, as well as dirty. For most ceiling joist, there is the possibility of blown in insulation to fill the living space below. Here a carpenter is removing the demolition, making sure to use a respirator, along with ducted fans to remove as much particles in the air.

To end this I want to share a moment witnessed in a public setting, that began this thought.

There was a construction business owner, enjoying his lunch. Dressed as you would imagine most business owners would look. A logo’d polo and hat. A very nice wrapped truck in the parking lot, to match. In the first moments, he blended with the crowd.

At some point, a phone call came. The conversations in the restaurant were minimal, but he immediately brought attention to himself.

On the other end of the call, was someone upset. Most likely the client.

You could hear the fear in this man’s voice.

When the brief call ended, he immediately made another call. This time to the trades person.

Quickly, an argument rose. The conversation revealing the tradesperson was in concrete. 

A concrete finisher, pouring a hand made mix for a new slab. 

And the concrete trucks were on site… with no forms installed. No tools. No bodies.

The conversation boiled down to money. The foreman had decided to pull his crew to another job, where the compensation was better. And you could tell by the business owner’s demeanor, were possibly treated better.

Anger spilled through his voice. Not begging. Demanding the trades people to be on site. 

And just as quick, as the argument started. It ended with silence.

No more calls followed. He sat there quietly.

Silence echoed throughout the restaurant. And that awkward minute, felt like forever.

Everyone ignoring him. Except for myself. I looked at the man as he sat there blankly. You could see the following scenarios resulting from this, playing in his mind. And then… 

He broke into tears.

At this point, the trades person who was most likely never taken care of, ruined a business. 

Without context to either side of the story, it solidified the belief of how fragile a construction businesses can be.

The trades people, while may have been mistreated or undervalued by this owner, easily moved on to another. Possibly they are just as undervalued with the next business. But they saw an opportunity for themselves. And took it. 

What may seem fast and simple, is only the accumulation of years of experience. Here, a carpentry crew has built a shed addition in a day. The cut man is waiting for the next measurements from the lead installer. 

Would this had to happen if the owner had valued them more? 

At one end, if the trades person values their own development, wanting to see where the construction journey will take them, then maybe. But the relationship would not end on bad terms, as this situation was.

But for most trades people, a place where they are valued both as a person, and monetarily, only builds trust and commitment to the businesses cause. 

A carpenter is removing rotted wood from a chimney that has gone long past time for a repair.