When I first came to the North Country, I asked a friend of mine, who was about 45 at the time, why on earth he would work for $8 per hour. His reply was very simply, "That's the North Country." I didn't understand it then, but I understand it now. That's why I'm a real estate agent. I'd rather take my chances and work for chunks at a time, or nothing, rather than be a slave to some cheap employer that doesn't appreciate me. I mean, don't think they give you benefits in any way, shape or form, either.

One large manufacturing company here in Watertown, a very large, money-making, growing company recently made their employees work 10-hour days around the 4th of July. America's birthday was on a Wednesday, so the employees got it off, BUT the rest of the week they had to work 10 hours and, in essence, "make up" for the time taken off. They also did this on Memorial Day and Labor Day. AND, legally (I suppose) they didn't have to pay the employees overtime for that extra 8-hour holiday. In fact, these employees had to sign a contract, from what I understand, agreeing to an "occasional" mandatory 10-hour day. But for the last 4 weeks, "and until further notice," they are on FIVE 10-hour work days, with no end in site. 10-hour work days x 5 = exhaustion and accidents. And don't get me started on the cheap-ass raises. Pathetic! Can you say UNION?!

Another big company, retail this time, does not allow employees to work 40 hours in one week. Only management is given that privilege. After all, they'd have to give an employee benefits after 40 hours, right? Not! Not in the North Country.

And then there's ... well, we'll just call it a "mill." Ooooh. Where is OSHA? I would have to guess that OSHA has never visited this mill, or it would be closed down. It's so bad that I would be very much surprised if nobody ever died working there.

Well, on that happy note ...! You know, I just had to share this today. Because these employers are doing absolutely nothing for the economy of the North Country. There are restaurants and motels and lots of great retail going up here. Who's gonna be able to buy anything on minimum wage??! Do we actually want crime to get worse here? Happy, well-paid employees make good things happen - especially in the real estate world!

I don't know who's reading this - I get lots of hits, but nobody ever comments. I just hope you're enjoying my blog.