Opinion

Job, pay are never sure for road crews

Posted August 06, 2010 11:00 pm

Hooray for Pat Slavik's letter, "Road workers face tough conditions" Not only do road crews work in many extreme conditions, but they get paid only for hours worked. No holiday pay, no sick days, no personal days, no maternity leave (yes, females are in this trade). Over Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, Labor Day and Christmas, the workers' jobs are shut down but there is no pay.

Need time off because of flu? No pay. Yes, roadwork usually shuts down before Christmas, and unless you're lucky you are off until springtime, again, if work conditions start up. Many workers are off much longer. And of course there is no vacation time from spring until layoff time.

You have to make hay while the sun shines. Construction workers hope to work in inclement weather. If weather conditions are bad, the job is shut down.

Arthur Cammarata

Retired Operating Engineer Local 150

Mount Prospect

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