I don't know what the deal is here... ?

This surely can not be happening.

I am not a big fan of collective bargaining but if this is real we need a NATIONAL CONCRETE PUMPERS COLLECTIVE.

I hope that this is someones idea of a rude joke; if not then it is just rude!

Our government has gone insane!

New Rules issued by the DOL and FLSA - This is insane.  The DOL in its 
wisdom has decreed that if you work for a company that has only one truck cross 
over a state line at least once a month, and all drivers are eligable to be that
driver then ALL OPERATORS ARE EXEMPT FROM ALL OVERTIME PROVISIONS OF THE 
FLSA.   Check out Fact Sheet #19 issued by the DOL.

You do not even have to have a CDL.  Example: (and I ran this by the  DOL)
You are a contractor with 100 employees.   You have one employee  with a CDL and
a truck over 10,001 lbs.  Once every four months you have  your driver and
the loader (who can be any of the other 100 employees,  load and strap in and
safety check to insure your  box of corn flakes is  properly loaded and secured,
and if any of the 100 employees could have been  chosen to perform that duty
then ALL are exempt from overtime pay if that truck  crosses the state line
for one mile and returns.  Does not have to unload  or anything else. 

This ruling applies to Pump Operators, Crane Operators, Tow Truck Drivers, 
Boom truck drivers, etc etc etc and in the case of corn flakes anyone on the 
job.

If you want to verify this is true then contact Joy Stevens with the FLSA  at
202-693-0685.

Overtime has been cancelled for the entire construction industry if the 
employer knows how to work the system.

What employer in the right mind would attempt to do this. Ever heard of mass turnover. They would not be able to find anyone to work for them.

  I PERSONALY DONT THINK I'VE EVER RECIEVED A SINGLE HOUR OF OVERTIME.  DID 4 YEARS IN SERVICE. FOLOWED BY ENTRY INTO CONSTRUCTION FIELD WERE I WAS WITHIN A MONTH MOVED TO SALARIED POSITION. FOLLOWED THIS WITH SELF EMPLOYMENT.   GUESS EMPLOYERS USED TO GET OVER ON ME--NOW HALF THE TIME I WORK FOR FREE...   ISNT CONSTRUCTION GREAT!!

Insanity is this industry's name Bob. You have been in this industry as long (perhaps longer) than I.

Now to answer your post, government employees use to work for us, now we work for them, you know six weeks paid vacations, two sick days per month, one "personal day" per month. Not to mention full medical, dental and retirement benefits...Oh and lets not forget OT and comp time at a ratio of 1.5 to one. Oh lets not forget multiple retirements from different departments or offices.

I would just like to see this industry return to the 70s for margins and costs of living...you know the days where a new pump was 125k and the hourly charege was $120.00 per hour $2.00 a yard plus mobilization and a four hour minimums. Maybe then could the low life business owner such as myself be able to make profit enough to provide my employees with 1/2 of the benefits of a government employee.

Lets see in todays numbers that would equate to some $360.00 per hour and $6.00 per yard. At those rates I could pay my people and myself well. Wouldn"t that be nice.

Speaking of insanity did you notice the new "Les" or is it "Less" deals...First 6 months for $100.00 a month...send me six of them Less I'll run them into the ground for a mere $3600.00 and let mine set. Now thats insanity matched with desperation. What a retirement plan.

I'm sure he is looking for a bridge to live under in Florida and I'll be happy to send him a cardboard box. Welcome to the insanity.

Dick Tracey,

No (tch tch tch) comment.

;~)

Come on Bob, we are in the midst of an industry melt down.

I predict in two years there will be only 4-5 manufactures still here in this country. No body wants a pump right now, many areas of the country are or have experienced a slow down equal to 40%. That means all these machines are parked and all those expectations of high utilization have come to a screatching halt. Blood is spilling all over the streets...what does it mean ? Maybe our costs should have been figured on 4 hours a day utilization so during the good days you could make hay and bank funds. When the hay stops you can park the machines and not destroy the assett and keep the prices where they belong....

Along with only 4-5 manufactures left I also predict many failures in our industry. We will need to reinvent the monies charged in this industry and fall into place with profitable industries (ie Cranes) ...dont look for banks to be financing concrete pumps and time soon they got enough problems with the ones on their books now.

If you read my very old posts you will see that I warned people to not get too extended; that this slowdown was coming. This is not the first time that this has happened and will not be the last time. The people that pay attention, and read more than the sports page took steps to prepare for this.

This is just another lesson in life. Learn from it.

When brand X wants to make you a deal you can't refuse...... refuse it. They are there to make pumps & sell pumps. They are not your friend IF they bury you and your company. Remember who the company was that made that "special" financing deal that just added to their bottom line.... and your demise.

Live, learn, remember. ;~)

Three companies have filed 7 this week in Texas, Pumpstars and Reeds. Check Reeds site (prices not pretty).

60 pumps hit the market in Florida this week as well, another chapter 7. Schwing cut pay 20% ruduced hours to 32 coupled with a round of lay offs, rumor is Putz is following suit.

Concrete Industry numbers are off 30% - 50% in most markets across the US. This is the biggest implosion to hit the pumping industry ever.

Those that "own the banks will survive" and reorganize.

D. T.