Are blue-collar workers looked down upon in this country?

[June2]

Unfortunately, I think the answer is yes. White collar workers tend to be college educated and blue collar workers less so and I think that influences perception. Also, I know you don't want to get into the union issues, but I think unions have contributed to the negative thoughts.

[dulaney]

Thanks June

Unfortunately, I think the answer is yes. White collar workers tend to be college educated and blue collar workers less so and I think that influences perception. Also, I know you don't want to get into the union issues, but I think unions have contributed to the negative thoughts.

And, just to clarify, it's not that I didn't want to get into unions. I took issue with someone using the post (without even answering the question) to talk about how bad Obama's union plan is going to be. But, you answered my question, so thanks. And, you gave your opinion of why- valid and fair.

Kristin

[augie]

I posted a question about the world's assessment of blue-collar workers. I never asked what Obama (or McCain's for that matter) stance on unions was- whether they were for it/against, what they're plans are for them. In fact, I didn't even ask a question about unions. I asked about blue-collar workers. I just happened to mention that both my dad and dh were/are union men.

If someone posted "sorry Kristin, but yes, most of the world thinks blue-collar workers are stupid and uneducated", it wouldn't have bothered me, because that is in fact, what I asked about.

But, you want to take the opportunity to post about how someone thinks Obama's plan for unions is bad and then make a statement about how this guy doesn't see how any businessman could vote for Obama. Now, how does something about a businessman voting even apply to what I asked?

Kristin



There is no rule against bringing up related subjects in a thread. Threads on the Soapbox often spin off into different directions. No one should expect to be able to control the direction of a thread, even the poster who started the thread.

Lifestyle Hosts.

Today I am reading all over about Obama's true intentions regarding coal. Does this affect blue-collar workers? Absolutely!

Obama to a SanFran newspaper in January of this year:
So if somebody wants to build a coal power plant they can. It's just that it will bankrupt them because they are going to be charged a huge sum for all that greenhouse gas that's being emitted . . .

First of all, this is going over really well in the coal-producing swing states. Second, another example of citizen journalism - finding this in the well-buried transcript of a newspaper interview. Third, how can a union like the United Mine Workers of America endorse Obama? Fourth, I think the person who looks down on blue collar workers more than most is Barack Obama.

Add this to VP Joe "no coal plants in America" Biden's comments -- I don't see how blue collar workers who labor in the coal industry could support him! Add in the "card check" bill . . . I don't get it. I think that blue collar workers are some of the hardest working people in America. What does baffle me, though, is that they could blindly support someone like Obama.

[maryellen]

What does baffle me, though, is that they could blindly support someone like Obama.

Because they are not, in fact, doing it "blindly." That's your assumption. Doesn't make it the truth.

[augie]

Because they are not, in fact, doing it "blindly." That's your assumption. Doesn't make it the truth.

Of course not. I just don't get it.

I've also never understood why blue collar union members are supposed to vote with the union in politics (I wonder how many actually do - the beauty of the private voting booth). Imagine working for a university or law firm or hospital and being essentially told "this is how you are to vote".

[jvirginia]

I don't think blue collar workers get enough recognition for the vital role that they play in our society. I have a 17yo ds who is a senior in high school. He is very talented with woodworking; he has made the most incredible tables, shelfs, etc. in Wood Tech. He wants to attend a community college for their building trades program. He's hoping to be a builder, his friend wants to be an electrician and they have this dream to someday own a construction business. They were both discouraged from doing this at their senior planning meetings. Their school counselors attempted to steer them to a four year state school for more white collar professions. I couldn't believe that they would do this. My ds' plan is to transfer from the community college to a local college for the business aspect of owning a business. I think we have devalued the importance of blue collar professions.

Now, see, I come from a highly educated family but have nothing but admiration for people who are skilled in the trades. I think if my DH could, he'd leave his stressful job in finance and have a 2nd career as a builder - but he realizes how hard it is, and how much skill it involves, both on the business side and on the craftsman side. I have the greatest respect for the people in our town who are in the trades. I went to college while they were out there working and learning, but I feel like that means I know some things they don't, but they also have a ton of knowledge and experience I will never have.

[dulaney]

My experience

I think that blue collar workers are some of the hardest working people in America. What does baffle me, though, is that they could blindly support someone like Obama.

I know that dh's union does a lot of research and checking into the stances of the presidential candidates and they always "support" a candidate. I can't answer for whether other unions do this or not. We always receive a call letting us know who they are supporting. They look at what would be best for their workers. I got the call a few days ago and they are supporting Obama (plus they gave me the name of the person they are supporting for Congress in my state as well). They were also supporting Obama over Hilary in the primaries.

And, I can tell you that my dh has been in a union for almost 20 years and they have always backed a democrat. In general, republicans are against unions, so it kinda makes sense.

Kristin

[dulaney]

Well, it's interesting to me (m)

Now, see, I come from a highly educated family but have nothing but admiration for people who are skilled in the trades. I think if my DH could, he'd leave his stressful job in finance and have a 2nd career as a builder - but he realizes how hard it is, and how much skill it involves, both on the business side and on the craftsman side. I have the greatest respect for the people in our town who are in the trades. I went to college while they were out there working and learning, but I feel like that means I know some things they don't, but they also have a ton of knowledge and experience I will never have.

I realize that my dh is not the normal case of a blue collar worker while I type this (and I'm not trying to brag, just give an inside look at what some accomplish as a blue-collar worker). And, I know that my dh's job is not low-stress. LOL! My dh is very intelligent, but he just hated school. There was no way he was going to college. So, a trade was the perfect answer for him. And his intelligence has come out in his field. He is well known and well respected in our state and several surrounding states where he works. His experience is sought out by many. He constantly receives phone calls from other companies offering him jobs with them. He has accomplished things that no one else has done at his age. He became first a Boilermaker Superintendent and now works as a Project Manager- in his 30's (most people that hold these positions are in their late 50s/early 60s). As a project manager, on a big job he is responsible for all the trade men (and women, although there aren't many) which can be 500-700 people. His stress level is high, since these are multi-million dollar jobs and he normally brings them all in under budget and under time. He is never "off" work and he works tons of hours. And, I am sure that he makes more than most white-collar workers. But, the point is, my dh is just not a man that could wear a suit and sit in an office all day. It's just not his thing. He hates it when he gets tied up in too many meetings.

So, I hate the thought that people might think just because someone is a blue-collar worker that they are dumb.

Kristin

[augie]

I realize that my dh is not the normal case of a blue collar worker while I type this (and I'm not trying to brag, just give an inside look at what some accomplish as a blue-collar worker). And, I know that my dh's job is not low-stress. LOL! My dh is very intelligent, but he just hated school. There was no way he was going to college. So, a trade was the perfect answer for him. And his intelligence has come out in his field. He is well known and well respected in our state and several surrounding states where he works. His experience is sought out by many. He constantly receives phone calls from other companies offering him jobs with them. He has accomplished things that no one else has done at his age. He became first a Boilermaker Superintendent and now works as a Project Manager- in his 30's (most people that hold these positions are in their late 50s/early 60s). As a project manager, on a big job he is responsible for all the trade men (and women, although there aren't many) which can be 500-700 people. His stress level is high, since these are multi-million dollar jobs and he normally brings them all in under budget and under time. He is never "off" work and he works tons of hours. And, I am sure that he makes more than most white-collar workers. But, the point is, my dh is just not a man that could wear a suit and sit in an office all day. It's just not his thing. He hates it when he gets tied up in too many meetings.

So, I hate the thought that people might think just because someone is a blue-collar worker that they are dumb.

Kristin

Your husband sounds like a very talented man. Can I be really naive and ask what boilermakers do? I'm thinking it's something with large industrial building projects (furnaces?) but am not really sure.

My DH has the same "anti-office" twitch. He's in IT and gets to go out and about to lots of different and interesting clients, so that's a good fit for him.

[julied]

I wonder if my DH is considered blue collar....

He's a USAF pilot....is this considered white or blue collar? He's a military service member, wears a flight suit (no suit and tie) and doesn't work a 9-5 job, yet he does have a degree (an MBA in fact). But after reading Dulaney's last post about her DH not wanting to do the office thing, that was my DH as well....but he has the academic education behind him. So now I'm curious....is he white or blue collar?

[dulaney]

Yep, that's pretty much it

Your husband sounds like a very talented man. Can I be really naive and ask what boilermakers do? I'm thinking it's something with large industrial building projects (furnaces?) but am not really sure.

My DH has the same "anti-office" twitch. He's in IT and gets to go out and about to lots of different and interesting clients, so that's a good fit for him.

My dh mostly works in power plants -the companies that provide electricty to us, but they also do work in blast furnaces as well. Most of the time, they are making repairs and it does involve large equipment (the boilers are big and there are times that they are working 700-800 feet in the air, so it is a dangerous job also). My dh's favorite days are when they make lifts- they bring huge cranes in to life metal pieces that weigh thousands of tons and then they are there, ready to set the piece in place. There are other times that they are building a plant from scratch.

Kristin

[dulaney]

Well

I wonder if my DH is considered blue collar....

He's a USAF pilot....is this considered white or blue collar? He's a military service member, wears a flight suit (no suit and tie) and doesn't work a 9-5 job, yet he does have a degree (an MBA in fact). But after reading Dulaney's last post about her DH not wanting to do the office thing, that was my DH as well....but he has the academic education behind him. So now I'm curious....is he white or blue collar?

I had no idea, so I did a quick internet search and it seems like there is a big question about whether pilots classify as white-collar or blue-collar. I only did a quick seach, but I am sure there is more info out there. But from what I could tell, there seems to be no clear-cut answer about that.

He can be whatever he wants to be- LOL!

Kristin

[Doe]

I don't think blue collar workers get enough recognition for the vital role that they play in our society. I have a 17yo ds who is a senior in high school. He is very talented with woodworking; he has made the most incredible tables, shelfs, etc. in Wood Tech. He wants to attend a community college for their building trades program. He's hoping to be a builder, his friend wants to be an electrician and they have this dream to someday own a construction business. They were both discouraged from doing this at their senior planning meetings. Their school counselors attempted to steer them to a four year state school for more white collar professions. I couldn't believe that they would do this. My ds' plan is to transfer from the community college to a local college for the business aspect of owning a business. I think we have devalued the importance of blue collar professions.

I think this is a great post - every worker is out there supporting and helping our economy grow...

My husband has worked hard and has been a loyal employee for 19 years - blue collar all the way - he gets a very nice hourly wage, but his real return is on the end... and that is why the union has served himself so well. His pension is very handsomely funded - over $4 per hour for every hour he works, also excellent health benefits... so, I wouldn't look sidewise at someone taking a job like this. When my DH retires (4 years, 5 months) he intends to drive school bus. It's the same union and his pension is protected and he will continue to add to it, albeit at a lower rate. When he completely retires at 65 (12 years) he will bring in nearly what he makes now... So, yeah, it's really not a bad gig, y'know?

Just curious, since I have never given this a thought until yesterday. I posted yesterday about having a small chat with a stranger about the traffic being bad in the city since Obama was in town. He started right in on how he didn't know why anyone would go see him. I told him that I thought he might pack the place. He then rolled his eyes and said "yes, it will be all those blue collar workers". I then told him that my dh was a blue-collar worker.

So, is this the nation's view of blue-collar workers and if so, why?

I grew up with a dad that was a steelworker, so that is blue-collar and my dh is a boilermaker, which is blue-collar.

Of course, after thinking about this, I am not really sure if my dh is still actually considered blue-collar. I think he is! He works in a blue-collar field, and works mainly on site (not in an office) but he has one of the highest positions that you can have in this field, so he is considered management (I guess), but he still wears jeans, work boots and denim shirts to work and gets paid hourly (thankfully!).

I know this isn't really political, per se, but since it came up as a negative in a political conversation, I thought I would post it here.

Thanks!

Kristin