Immigration and Welding
Once again, the issue of immigration is making headlines. This time there were widespread reports of farmers who decided not to plant crops this year because immigration crack-downs have reduced the number of workers who help with the harvest.
These, for the most part, are fairly low skill, low-paying jobs by American standards, and there aren’t a lot of Americans claiming that illegal migrants are taking farm hand jobs that should rightfully go to legal residents.
Welding, by contrast, is a high skill, high-paying job, especially by trade standards. Although there hasn’t been a major rebellion against illegal immigrants taking welding jobs that should go to legal residents, there also hasn’t been a lack of available welding jobs. In fact, it’s the opposite — there are more jobs than welders — for now.
The ongoing welder shortage could very well lead to employers looking to other countries for their welders, which could make progress toward solving the welder shortage, but also lead to protests from American welders.
There are valid points on either side of the immigration debate, and we’re not advocating either side in this blog. However, these are genuine issues that affect, or will soon affect, the lives of everyone in the industry. We should all take it upon ourselves to learn as much about this issue as we can, so that we can form our own well-educated opinion on the subject.
What are your thoughts or experiences on the immigration issue as it relates to welding? Are immigrants a good way to address the welder shortage? Please share your thoughts by posting a comment below.
Average (Not Rated)
October 30th, 2007 at 7:47 pm
Hy! about the topic, I think, that the shorthage in welders in America is not a matter of ligal or not ligal residents. To me it is a proffesion well skilled to de most if you are talking about a “welder man” a cuality welder.this people is made at the school or at the job site,it does not make a difference, if the individual have the conviction for this profesion. In may working carrer I have met a lot a good welders how deserve all my respect. And to the other hand I do have to tell tha this is not a easy job, it is well paid, but not all people prefers good pay, many times is better to have a good airconditioned emviroment even sacrifing a few dollars, and those are the coments I have heard among welders… Peter Garcia Shop foreman …from Mexico.
October 31st, 2007 at 11:55 pm
I think about all this, they are the Latin legal or illegal people, in this country, which is a free country and which was I begin for immigrants of several parts of the world, we would have to respect these people, that the only thing that they do is to work without rest, without asking the government of USA for anything anything The migratory reform would have to be supported by all the companies on the country, I do not want to say that all the people, this one in disagreement with the immigrants, but many people know that they can abuse them for being illegal and for being very good workpeople I have the hope that the future is better for all, and you might have the best welders and better workpeople. Hector from Appleton
November 1st, 2007 at 8:49 pm
making job training available with the studies to back it up
for american citizens is the long term answer,importing
skilled welders or workers is short sighted. we need to give our young people a better chance again for jobs that have
pride of accomplshment and a secure future. in two or three years with journyman oversite we would have the young
people well on the way to filling the jobs. ask any one around
during ww2 it can be done
November 2nd, 2007 at 1:06 pm
I am almost impressed with your English skills. As such, how are you at reading blue prints? Are you able to communicate problems effectively? Not to offend anyone, but communication in any manufacturing field is essential to safety, quality, and manufacturing integrity. Illegal is illegal. Period. A good education AND training should be a prerequisite to any structural and/or manufacturing job. Video games don’t count as an education. My child will be like me in at least one respect; he’ll have an education and he’ll have a trade. Surely one or the other will keep him employed in an environment of safety and security. He’ll look back and say “My building is still standing. Not surprised.” rather than looking back and wishing he did it right the first time. This is called integrity and dignity.
November 2nd, 2007 at 2:51 pm
As a retired welding teacher.I can tell you it doesn’t matter if the learning weldor is legal or Illegal. Whether he or she is white,black brown or yellow.
It’s what’s in his/her heart that matters. Welding is a differcult craft to learn . It requires 100 percent COMMITMENT while learning. The student must be willing to apply all of their ability and talents to the task.
Over 45 years I have worked in the Nuclear Industry and trained hundreds of welders from all walks of society. I have found that it doesn’t matter who the welder is .What matters is the QUALITY and QUANTITY of their welds. There are many reasons why we have a shortage of welders in this country. The answer is we must be willing to open the schools and industry must be willing to pay to train good hard working people who are ready to make a commitment to learn a fantistic trade that they can learn to love and are paid the wages that they deserve.
November 2nd, 2007 at 4:43 pm
In Canada (Alberta) there is a severe labour shortage and yes there is a Chinese labour force near Syncrude People from Chile in Lloydminister and a contigent of Malysians near Toefield all working on oilfield projects.
Still there is a shortage of labourers for constructiion and other trades.
Companies are basically just planning ahead. I’ve been into some machine & welding shops who are running with bare skeleton crews, and having to search outside of North America to run thier machines. It’s only going to get worse.
Yes there are communication issues, however if these people are trained properly and can do the job then all the power to them.
November 3rd, 2007 at 10:39 am
From what I have been seeing the shortage of welders has more to do with employers who try to “low-ball” the potential hires in many cases offering near or at minimum wage, and then cry about the results.
Immigration has little or nothing to do with the situation at the present time, however that may change and bears watching.
November 5th, 2007 at 7:40 pm
I own a manufacturing business. My family like everybody else’s in the USA were imigrants. the difference between the legal and illegal issue is the the term ILLEGAL. if somebody risks his or her life to escape from a country then does not take steps to become LEGAL, how good can that person be as a worker in any industry. If they don’t apply themselves to become a citizen then how hard will they apply themself to the job at hand. I have hired people that worked very hard until something that might pay .05 more comes along, then they just leave, no loyalty to my company for training them, no chance do I get to match the offer, they are just gone. I have people that have been with me for 10 years, they have recieved offers, but they give me the chance to be loyal to them, and I have.
Get Legal, show employers you have what it takes, you will get the job. Show some loyalty, you will get loyalty. No matter where you are from, learn english, old guys like me are NOT going to learn whatever language you speak, like Mr. Traylor says(not a perfect quote) “communication skills are very important”. They are a major key to quality and job performance.
Thank you
H.H.
Irish, Greek, and Russan. And I don’t speak anything but English
November 6th, 2007 at 12:07 am
The problem is employers who want to low ball the work force. In Canada they are bringing in people to do these job’s because of the profit margins. It may cost more in repairs but the money saved on labour costs offset repairs, plus completing a job on spec verse pentlies. The other thing is the all mighty dollar, greed is a driving force in this problem, I worked in a Canadian Rail car plant that closed (1200 people) because the profit margine in Mexico was better. Canadian manufracturing has had this problem for the last ten year’s. Now you have people in a lower income with a trade looking to better them selves so with the dream. There is a supply and demand problem. Kids are growing up in a urban enviorment without the need to use trade skills, Trade schools in Canada and I can guess in the US have a lot of empty seats. Because of the demand I had to move 4000 miles to make a living in the trade. I hope the people in the US will look at the problem in Canada and take the time to not allow the problem get out of hand as we fallow your trends.
November 6th, 2007 at 8:01 am
as far as this topic,i’ve worked along side some immigrants from mexico.the welders of the group actually were welding some pretty sound welds.not as well welded as mine,but for the funtion of the weld,they worked.
November 6th, 2007 at 1:22 pm
Let’s say the true: the privilege US citizen or people that have the oportunity to work legally in this country is the one that is going to pick first and take the better jobs (easiest and well paid) the rest (the hard or dirty jobs, sometimes well paid because of the same hardeness) are the ones that not by option but for default need to take the worst or their family won’t eat, as simple.
Welding, farming, manufacturing, cleaning, packing, etc, the companies need people to do the job, and reliability, and the immigrants need the job, any job, even if they know they are going to be abuse they need to keep it or AGAIN their family won’t eat, as simple.
November 12th, 2007 at 8:26 am
I have no problem with legal aliens learning to weld and receiving employment in this country. However illegal is another story. Like Steve says communication is a major safey problem. In construction communication is paramount to safety on the job. Why should illegal aliens have the right to any employment in this country? Welding jobs can pay very good wages. Illegal aliens not only drive the hourly wages down for American citizens, but are a major drain on our social- economic system. W says there are not enough workers for the jobs available. Pay our citizens a decent wage that they can live on and I think You will see a much bigger pool of workers.
November 18th, 2007 at 5:25 pm
My husband has been on a few jobs where workers NOT being able to speak English has created a BAD situation. I think you have to be able to speak and read english because somebody elses life could be at stake and I’m not talking about picking produce either. Working around heavy equipment, following instructions and job safety. If you can’t read/speak english you and the people around you could be at risk. I think the companies that are knowingly employing illegals bare a big responsibility to this problem. Everything in this country is paying the price for absobing an illegal work force…. wages,healthcare ect. ect. ect.
November 19th, 2007 at 7:25 pm
By the way, my grandfather came from Italy in a boat. I have his certificate from Ellis Island. Just after he got to the USA, he served in the US armed forces in WW1. He became a legal welder just after the war. I’ve worked quite a bit in Mexico. The Mexican people in Mexico are treated like crap and paid worse. Period. That’s why they come over here. I an imigrant wants to live here, they should follow our rules and live by our laws. This includes paying taxes, having proper insurance, and acting better than the norm. It’s not about color, race, or religion. It’s about being right and living right for the future. Period, again.
November 19th, 2007 at 8:33 pm
now who’s fault is it that there is a shortage ?? the push for white collar workers and and easier working enviroment makes a lot of people go for it no dirt and nice clean office .. so us as northamericans talk about illegal what is the difference when we go to there country and do construction ???
i am not big on bringing foreign workers over when there is a sleu of young workers looking for a shot to get training and experience but company and employers need to sit down and figure out a way to get the young in to these .. we have a few young workers within our company that go with good quality tradesmen to learn the ropes and be safe and we give the company a labor break on there rate to get them into the business
and to learn .. the coleges here r full 2yr wait time just to train but the companies want skilled ??? where do we draw the line ??
November 23rd, 2007 at 7:17 pm
We don't build in mexico; we pay and suggest. They (edited) us on property costs, and give us cheap labor and cheap quality. Look at the Pharr Bridge; the American side is smooth, but the Mexican side is like a ride in the gulf. Our design, but separated by two construction methods. Go to McAllen and head to Pharr and take a ride on the bridge! You get what you pay for in this world; their corrupt gummit (slang for government) didn't get much because they didn't pay much. Is this what we should let happen to our codes and laws? Please answer the question without emotion. Just the facts. I know how these folks are treated in mexico and I know it's wrong. It's as wrong as a four-door motorcycle! They are the only people that can change it ! If we let them come over here, who will stop the corruption in mexico? We and our tax dollars will. (edited) We're doomed if we don't live as one country with one language and one law. Period….again.
November 27th, 2007 at 8:33 pm
Pay? Hmmmm. Let me see….I can work in an often hot and often uncomfortable environment for $35k per year, or I can be a department manager selling chinese crap at walmart for $60k per year. Tough choice. How 'bout some employers dropping a line to this blog trail? Not the small shops, but the mass producing few that are owned by "investment" firms. I bet we won't see a reply to this blog from auto parts suppliers and such. Why? They don't care about the blue shirts. Only their white shirts count. How can we entice young people into this field? Pay them. You get service two ways; full price or half way. Today's world leans toward the "half price" junction and sometimes toward the "full price/half way" crowd. Let's get it right America !!!
November 28th, 2007 at 9:42 pm
I have been on the white collar end of the working world (IBM, Texaco Research and various small companies), but after a 5 year absence to pursue Christian Ministry I am making welding my 3rd (and hopefully least) career. Why? Economic times are changing; and while a cushy office job is nice, it is also very easily moved to China. I believe in America there will always be a need for American men to join metal to metal here in America. It might be rough, lean and tight; but there will still be a need. As for immigration; I have never been a huge union fan, but under those circumstances I believe that would be the answer. In such circumstances it is the right environment for a “members lead†union of have its proper and true place. I know Japan was importing skilled tradesman from the USA about 10 years ago… it would be interesting to research and see what happened when their economic situation took a downturn when the “.com†bubble caused the Asian to tank a few years ago.
November 29th, 2007 at 7:35 am
Immigrants, weather legal or not, entering the US and taking welding, or other skilled trade jobs puts this country in a very bad situation. On the legal side, HB-1 policy allows thousands of immigrants to come to this country and take skilled trade jobs that are left unfilled due to the shortage of US welders etc. On the other side many illegal immigrants also take the welding and skilled trade jobs that are available.Aside and apart from the immigration, and homeland security issues addressed here
the United Stated is quickly eroding our skilled trades labor pool. With immigrants comming in and taking these jobs there is less to be had by our citizens. Therefore each year less and less schools offer welding, etc.
Now we are all feeling the pain because of this countries dependance on foriegn oil. If immigrants are allowed to keep flooding this country and taking the welding jobs the US will find itself dependent on foriegn workers
November 30th, 2007 at 7:48 pm
Its a combination of companies not wanting to pay what welders are worth, and the lack of interest in the younger generation. I am only 17 years old, and have a solid career in welding. But everyone else my age is working at taco bell, or walmart saying that they are going to go to college and become a lawyer or some other high paying desk job where you dont have to get dirty. I dont think that we need any more lawyers, but no one wants to actually work hard any more. My family moved from Canada to the US because of work, And if getting welders from other countries is what it takes to keep this country going, makes people open their eyes to whats going on, maybe it will get more americans into the trade. Codi Esayenko from AZ
December 5th, 2007 at 7:18 pm
By not paying competitive wages, the employers are forced to outsource. The demand for welders may be high, but without compensation, why do the welding gig? Since the demand is high due to production requirements and the supply is low due to lack of interest which is due to pay, work environment, safety, etc… I think it’s safe to say that the employers and feds are to blame for this artificial imbalance of supply and demand. Take a look at the oil industry. We welders can control supply, but it doesn’t help with the advent of the cheap labor supply afforded this country by our lack of border control, NAFTA and such. Why would big oil increase capacity if the very lack of capacity makes the supply low relative to the demand? This raises prices of oil without requiring capital for infrastructure and labor improvements which leads to record profits. Who wants to leave their family or move their family to the tundra to make 70k after working 12 hour days 7 days per week welding? The man can’t get cheaper oil, but he can get cheaper workers and continue to use old facilities for production. BANG. We lose, they win…for a while.
December 6th, 2007 at 9:54 pm
im a 20 years old welding is what i do but it is so hard to find a job.
i have been look every where for a welding job. all my frends say i should take up a different hobbie i tole them that it’s only my hobbie it’s the way of my life.
so the next bast thing wanted to was be in the army as a welder and a
soilder. i can TIG, MIG, and Stike weld
December 7th, 2007 at 6:28 pm
David:
The US Military was hiring welders in Columbus, GA. Hang in there and find a shop that does more than repetitive production welding. Learn to crank handles on machine shop equipment, too. Become turn key. Robotic welding is not hard; learn it if you can. Fanuc stuff is really easy, so don’t be afraid to try it. I am a Mechanincal Engineer and I love the fact that I can weld with the best of them. There is good money in it IF you can find a home. Be careful and give ‘em hell !! I have 2 engine driven welders, LN25 for flux core, dry rig tig, small mig, and can beat the crap out of welding engineers when programming Fanuc welding robots. I keep my equipment so I can remain flexible. One education and one trade. Can’t lose if you set yourself up like that. You are still young, so don’t give up and don’t settle for low pay unless you are only capable of low pay work. If that’s the case, learn something every day. Grow your mind to grow your career. Weld to live or live to weld. Geographically, roughly where are you located? Maybe someone in this blog train can help you. I will try if I can.
December 7th, 2007 at 11:41 pm
the only way americans will re enter the welding industries as weldors is to make it more profitable for them. unfortunatly the american buisnessman will hire illegalls only to exploit them economicaly. this brings wages way down from what they should be. illegals come here because they live in poverty at home & welding is an easy market to enter. no matter what the answer is lets keep two things in mind. #1 they are our neigbors. #2 they are the indigenous people of the continent.
December 11th, 2007 at 8:34 pm
Yes, they are economically exploited, both at home and here in the US. Why don't they fix their problems at home? Because it's easier to run and hide in the US. Either way, they are going to be exploited, so why not do it in a place that lets them get away with "illegal" living.
December 17th, 2007 at 8:34 pm
Interesting discussion. I come from an IT background and can tell you for certain there never was a shortage of IT workers. This was a made up Hoax in order to let more H1B visa people into the country and drive down the wages in IT. As someone mentioned above it’s a supply/Demand situation. People aren’t willing to invest in education only to have their job outsourced or taken by an H1B visa holder/illegal immigrant. All of the H1B visas issued this fall were gone in 1 day. College enrollment in IT, math and science is dropping off of the board because there is no job security anymore. Don’t want to pay a prevailling wage? Call you congressman and ask for more visas/lax immigration policies. I enjoy welding as a hobby and I thinking about a career change. I can see this industry going down the drain too, if there is another false shortage. Who profits from a false shortage? Upper level management. I’ld be happy as a clam to be welding up in Alaska for the right money but, I think it’ll never pay a good wage when they claim a shortage. Shortages correct themselves, it’s econ 101.
December 30th, 2007 at 6:15 am
I recently worked a job in southern U.S where there was a lot of Hispanic workers. I found some to be very skilled at there respective trades, with some decent rod burners among them. However, I also found it to be extremely frustrating and dangerous working side by side with whole crews that could not ( or would not ) speak a word of English. I have no problem with someone coming to the U.S and working ( no matter what the trade ) as long as they are legal, learn to speak English, pay taxes, and follow all rules and regulations that are required of everyone else.
January 2nd, 2008 at 6:59 pm
I have worked as white collar worker and continue to be involved in this industry of welding. This job outsourcing has gotten out of control with a government that is unable/refuses to manage our resources, instead letting big business control the labor pool for greater profits. I have no problem with legal immiagrants who are willing to become a citizen and support the system. Look at our slowly detoriating health care, education system, and the rest of our infrastructure. Who can afford a 20,000 education to have it out sourced in two years. It affects the initative of our working class of people. I think there is a place for immigrants in this country that are willing to make a commitent to become a citizen and learn the english language, and are willing to pay taxes to support our system. That has made this country one of the most powerful in the world.
January 2nd, 2008 at 8:22 pm
bottom line.. greedy business owners will look for the person who wants
the least amount of pay, and who will be willing to sacrifice the american way
of life i.e( work 15 hr. days, work holidays) essentially bend over backwards
to make their world more profitable. welding to me is one of the last great
american trades, and i say that with certified pride. it’s insulting when i see
in the classifieds, welder wanted, spanish o.k, or bilingual a plus $10 per hr.
w.t.f? i know i know, this country was founded on immigrants, but they came
here to be americans, prosper, and help build this country to what is is now,
i myself am half mexican, but above that i’m an american and i think welders
deserve a lot more respect than what their getting now.
January 20th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Respect is earned. We work our butts off for pay, but rarely get respect. Go weld a doctors boat dock and listen to them gripe about the charges. Then they'll tell you when you get your lungs checked that you're about to owe thousands of $$. I charge to include knowledge, risks, and warranty. They charge for guesses. (edited) No pay, no knowledge. Share the wealth or I won't share the knowledge.
January 28th, 2008 at 11:51 pm
We shouldn’t be importing products made by abused labor, nor polluters, or we are undercutting our own economy. We should not, likewise, import cheaper labor on the black market. Why? A guy could raise a family as a house painter twenty years ago and now a young guy’s competing against illegals who hot bunk and only worry about a beer supply, cable TV, and remitting some money back to wherever. Sure they can run a crew if they have the gumption to contribute to the problem. (Sure you can say, “Just desserts for not being good in school” right? I don’t think so.)
Are we going to import doctors, lawyers, accountants, …? Why not? Let’s flood the market with “professionals” and see how they like it! Hey, let’s import politicians! Guess what! As we get more illegals we get more of them voting (illegally, but what are you going to do after the fact?) and then our country gets run more and more like all those unsuccessful, paternalistic, feudal countries south of the border.
If you think there’s a glut of welding work and we should bring in illegals to increase the supply of welders then guess what happens to the pay for weldors? …especially when there’s a subsequent oversupply?
I grew up speaking Spanish, BTW. I lived all over Latin America as a kid. I am 1/4 Puerto Rican by blood but I am 100% American. (I am ZERO percent Puerto Rican and that’s the way LEGAL immigrants act–GRATEFUL and assimilating.). It pains me to see the United States being dissolved by enemies and ignorants within. Anybody who thinks illegals aren’t an enemy should start paying attention. Look at what happens to countries which go bilingual. Look at countries who bring in non-assimilators–as you can see in Europe and now here.
It’s not just about weldors and pay levels. It’s about everything.
February 6th, 2008 at 5:03 am
I was born and raised in the San Francisco bay area. I’m 55 year old and have been welding for a living, for 33 years. I left the U.S. for New Zealand because my home has been invaded by vast numbers, (twelve million I believe just in California) of illegals. They, the illegals will work ten to twelve hour days, weekends, holidays for straight time and for a third of what the going rate is. They figured out years ago that working the fields of lettuce, payed less than, the fields the developers were turning into housing. The corporate powers, (money} that put politicians into power are lining their pockets and keeping the stock market looking good for the short term. This is how the United States is going to compete with the growing threat from India China and the Pacific Rim.
The growing wine industry, and not just in California, is one of the worst offenders of the use and abuse of illegal labor. They can hire, legally, for less than the minimum wage [there is a min. ag. rate] to work the fields. Then they bring them in to work the processes in the winery. Then they put them to work doing the construction of the winery it’s self. Welding s/s tanks for ten dollars an hour is just an example. These types of things are going on in manufacturing, construction and development and all sectors of our community.
Our young people can read the righting on the walls. They can see that there is not much future in these industries.
Corporate greed. The immigration problem will never get solved until the people that knowingly hire illegal immigrants pay for their crimes. Twelve INS agents for California with twelve million illegals tells me the government does not have the citizens best interest or welfare at heart.
I was making ten dollars an hour thirty three years ago welding carbon steel. I was offered to help weld s/s tanks for the same amount thirty three years later. The cost of living in California has sky rocketed in that time. The work going to illegals, is theft and it’s going on, on a massive scale.
If I hear that they are “just doing the work that Americans won’t do” one more time… well I have and I and my family have moved to New Zealand to try a country that might try harder to protect it’s citizen way of life instead of it’s corporate CEO’s bank accounts.
It is a breath of fresh air to see the there are others speaking out who have seen the same thing happening. The men that I know that came illegally to this country don’t speak the language. I’ve known them for a least ten years and they are difficult to understand and really have no intention of learning the language. It is not healthy or safe for America to have so many people that are not held to the same standard.
Many welders here in New Zealand have asked me why I would want to move out of the U.S. and why is it so hard to get into the U.S.. I answer both questions with one answer. My counry has been invaded and the american government won’t do anything effective to stop it.
February 9th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
Visit the Pharr bridge in Texas. You will quickly see the difference between mexican processes and American processes.
February 23rd, 2008 at 8:36 am
i personally have not seen immigration to the extent the southern US has seen. here in western canada we do have some asian and european workers coming to work here. as far as i know, for the most part they are legal workers. One example i like. a friend of mine works in a prod/fab shop in a local city.the company brought in 10 european weldeers. they paid them $5/hr less than the other emmployees, in exchange for helping with housing,flights, etc. all the company employees thought that was reasonably fair.thats until the shop slowed down. now they have 10 local employees under a 2yr employment contract that hardly speek english. so they laid-off the top 10 wage earners that wernt managers. this all happened within 2 months.this all bit the company in the back side when theeuropean welders went to test for the canadian certifications. not one of them passed, even after 3 attempts. in a matter of 4 months the company hired 10 people they could barely communicate with, lost 10 skilled welders with needed certifications, and upset some of the local employees at the same time.they lost money and worker morale.LESSON LEARNED?????? i sure hope so!
March 4th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
Read and write english and do your job as instructed. I owe you nothing . In America we work hard to have the things in life that make our life better. Welcome, the legal way.
March 8th, 2008 at 11:54 pm
“Keep American wages low. Hire illegal.” With the trend that has been going on the past several years, everyone may as well buy this bumper sticker and advertise. The government is either blind or overly greedy. Speak up America.
May 6th, 2008 at 11:39 am
i dont think that it should matter whether you’re from America or not,i think that if you are a well-rounded and efficient welder you should get treated just like everyone else
August 22nd, 2008 at 5:18 pm
I’ve work with immigrant welders in Alberta most were Asian or East Indian The guys at the shop I worked at were all dynamite fabricators and welders, however all of them were Journeymen or Apprentices. This is because in Alberta, welding is a compulsory trade. If you are employed as a welder you must be a registered apprentice or a journeyman. Coincidentally in Manitoba were I currently work it is not. So alot of so called welders are hacks and farmers with no qualifications or Certification. This has kept wages substansially lower for ligitimate tradesmen.
On the basis of illegal immgrants we have no need for them since they work for less they also contribute to a reduction in overall wages, which ironically is harmfull to their North American Dream!.
August 27th, 2008 at 3:57 am
Wealth and Power have one mandate in mind…..more weath and more power!They have absolutely no loyalties to you or I.If we as a province,state,country or nation can’t answer to their beckoning call-guess what?W&P can buy anything including politicians,lawyers and governments!! In a perfect world the host would provide the manpower and if we couldn’t ….only after all avenues were exhausted we would then go to our neighbours. In our case it would be the Americans.Apparently it doesn’t work that way though,instead there is alot of behind the scene deals made and at the end of the day everyone goes home happy except for our future generation of skilled tradesmen.If we give away jobs to other countries because we don’t have the numbers that’s one issue but if the jobs are given up because of W&P’s need for greed then shame shame on another bought government!
September 13th, 2008 at 9:16 pm
I work with a mexican who paid a coyote to bring him to the states. He is a very hard worker with ambition. He is not yet a citizen but is working on it. You cannot blame a person for wanting the best for his family. Although I will always put my countrymen first, I am the minority where I live, and when I show this guy a little here and there I cant help but wonder if I am shooting myself in the foot.
January 6th, 2009 at 9:25 pm
It does not matter if you are mexican,black, or of any other race! they say the mexicans take all the jobs! not true. they want to work and they work hard! they have familys that they want to bring up the american way, they become a U.S. resedent, pay taxes and do it right! then you have people that are here legaly have a drivers license a social card and do nothing but sit at home and collect a goverment check and that strike a arc in my life
alot of them do jobs that other people think are crap. I have tought guys a skill that they would never learn in another country but will work to keep a family with food on the table and the kids clothed. everyone is going to blame everyone it’s just the way life go’s!
April 2nd, 2009 at 7:37 pm
I am 33 and about to graduate welding school.Well folks,sorry to be the black heart here,but I’ve got enough stacked against me to get solid in this field without worrying about IA’s.Let’s see how all you lovey doveys feel as the economy gets even tighter and companies are really motivated to hire illeagals.I have a family too.This is my country.Not here legally…NO JOB! PERIOD.As a matter of fact, if I end up at a company that is hiring a bunch of IA’s to line thier pockets, I’ll call in on them.
April 17th, 2009 at 6:58 am
well, IM AM MEXICAN!i’ve delt with racism all my life growing up. my mom and dad came here illegaly and went through the right channels to get themselves legalized.it took my mom and dad allot of hard work selling produce and whatever they could to send me and my sister through school and my mom and putevery nickel and penny to get me through a vocational school for welding. now 20years later i am a foreman and my sister a school teacher. and i will return to teach others how to weld in that same vocational school i went too. i will teach whoever would like to learn.not because there this color or that color but for the love of the skill. i love putting things together.my mom told me no matter what anyone says dont let them get to you. i’ve been called the worst names in the that americans give to us mexicans and it does hurt my feelings that someone can say a stupid and immature thing to tell someone.its not funny.that just pushed me to be a better person than you. we work hard to provide for our family just like the americans do.reading and speaking english,i do all of that and then some. in my case i am better than some,not because they are different in color it is i went to school and trained in welding and the other guy did’nt. guess what they are some americans who cant weld. dont get mad.we try just as well as you do.some make it and some dont.as for as commiting crimes i do belive some need to go back from which they came.NOT JUST MEXICO folks!!!they are americans that do for more worst crimes than just crossing a fence line like we do!! i bleed the same color as you.
May 11th, 2009 at 9:45 am
i have no problem with the immagrants taking the welding jobs that are available because the shortage makes it appear that people in this country don’t want to do the work to get the job so if the immagrants are willing to do the work then they have earned the right to that job
May 11th, 2009 at 9:49 am
Here in wisconsin we really don’t have much an issue with immigration and welding we just have our jobs filled up by students like me, but i agree with the fact that the jobs shouldn’t be filled up by illegals , but for the time being with not a huge issue and a job shrtage might as well let them have the jobs.
May 11th, 2009 at 9:53 am
Immigration really isn’t a bad thing here in Wisconsin. Most of the welding jobs are taken up by students that are in high school. Personally i think that immigrants shouldn’t be able to take our jobs but, if they are good at what they do then they should get that job.
May 11th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
I think that to weld, you have to have some interest in it and not just do it because you are of a different race or there is a shortage of legal and illegal immigrants. Some people might need a job right away so this is what they go for but I also think that you should be able to choose what you like to do because of the interests you have.
July 24th, 2009 at 10:26 pm
There is a HUGE I mean HUGE difference between a LEGAL immigrant and a ILLEGAL immigrant and what it cost to America, or any country that does not enforce it’s immigration laws. There is just a tiny little thing that makes the difference and that is the LAW and the way it is enforced.
“Hector” the welder who’s parents sneak across or rather cut in line in front… those families that are standing in line to get here legally… and finds someone to sell him some fake ID and social security number and buys a car and drives to work without insurance, rent 5′X10′ space on the floor of a house with 20 or 30 others that was never zoned for that purpose, hence being unsafe and bringing down the home prices in the area. I could go on and on about the true cost of illegal immigration to the American people. And because the dollar in Mexico buys three or four times as much, he can work for three or four time as less than a law abiding American can and still makes out like a bandit.
Hector from your post you still do not appear to see yourself as an American but rather a Mexican. Your parents left Mexico probably because the “rule of law” is so corrupted in Mexico they felt they had no chance to pursue Happiness in Mexico. Why do we have a border? Should we become more like Mexico and disrespect it’s people and it’s law and become more corrupt than we already are? The United States constitution was written by people who came from a very repressive government. Mexicans need to change Mexico to solve this huge problem.
Hector would you let me come and take stuff out of your house just so i can “make a better life” for my family? You’ve got more stuff in your house than I have in mine and you don’t use all that stuff in your house all the time. I’m just trying to better myself!
Well, when some people say that illegals are just taking work that americans won’t do…. think again. I was born and raised in California and no, yes no, effort was made by the AG industry to get me to work the fields. They made up their minds a long time ago, they were going after the people they could more easily take advantage of.
If you come here illegally and take a job, you stole it. If you hire an illegal, you stole a job. If you buy stolen goods that is a crime and is illegal. If i go into a store and change the price tag on the hamburger with that on the t-bone steak because nobody is watching, what would that be? What if everyone did this because nobody was watching the store? This is what is happening in California and California can not survive this corruption on the massive scale that is happening! I’ll pay more for my food and still save money if we just obeyed the law. Stop cheating!! Everything we need to know we were taught in kindergarden.
People, we are being fooled by some very clever and crafty powers that do not have any regard for the Constitution of the United States and if we the people fail to stand up to these powers, we will not be free to pursue happiness or to have any freedom at all and we will all just work for the….mmm, you fill in the blank.
August 12th, 2009 at 7:42 pm
OK, we are all guilty of not contributing to the American image, I challenge you all to pile everything you own in a pile, sort it out and look, most of it is from China! When will big industry finally realize our pride in our work distinguishes us from the rest of the world, not the profit made in a third world country? I have gone through the gauntlet in the welding field for 30 plus years, I have seen days when I could quit one job and go across the street and start working that same day, now that company has its product made in Mexico. Common sense was Ben Franklin’s book name, now we need another book, like that one. How embarrassing would it be to tell a modern day Franklin that it’s cheaper to print the book in China and that even though we can do it here, we use Mexicans who can’t speak English for half price? Our common sense is that we legal Americans can do superior work and would like to keep it that way. I am so frustrated when I see an American product made in China or Mexico, I feel it’s a rip-off, and usually is! As American welders lets vote out these people who don’t respect our border laws and allow illegal people, regardless from where, become state and medical burden. Your children and mine will have to suffer if we don’t. I know I am a flag waver, but it is the least I could do for the people before me who fought and died for it.
January 12th, 2010 at 1:24 pm
I worked in a factory here in Indiana, where the people on the floor was 95% Hispanic. When I started factory work I made some wheres around $1000-1200 a week, and didn’t put in a whole 40 hours. When companies started hiring Mexicans our pay droped to around $400 a week, plus we were working 50-60 hours a week. 2-3 families living togeather, and working under the same SSN, they can now either buy new homes, or most take the money back home with them. They don’t really care for the US, most are even more predgedest against us than we are them. I believe in giving a fair chance, but we need to draw a line some wheres. I love welding, it is an art, not just a job. It requires skill and a pride in your work. It is not a skill for just anyone. We all have to fight for our freedom in this country, not just sit back and let people come in and take over. Our jobs are not just a living, it is our culture!!!!!
February 6th, 2010 at 9:30 pm
For starters I have a Spanish wife and I have been down to Central and South America a lot. I traveled there for 30 years. I’m also a Vet and a AWS certifide welder.
FIRST if they are here illegaly then they need to go home and apply. If we go to Mexico and get a job w/o the governments OK, it’s two years in the pokey. Start fining employers and landlords like they did at the end of WW II. They didn’t have to deport the millions that were here at the end of the war, they went home the same way they came. Then stop the welfare and free medical.
Change the law to read that if your parents are here illegally then sorry you are not automatically a citizen.
SECONDLY. The U.S. needs to stop making it so finacially attractive to our citizens to sit on their butts and not work but draw welfare.
THIRD. We need to start encouraging good students to get into the welding trades and we need some of the community colleges to start running some type of advanced training for welders who have been in the field a couple of years. Computerized plasma tables, orbital welding, Flux core welding just to name a few things.
Understanding Blue Prints, weld specs, safety requirements and being able to communicate are very important requirements. NO ONE likes reworking someone elses fab errors or getting hurt because the guy didn’t understand the language.
Many of my American-Mexican relatives and friends feel the same way I do.
February 21st, 2010 at 7:07 pm
if you or your parents or any relations came to Canada or United States illegally you should be removed and banned from re-entering EVEN IF YOU WERE BORN IN THE USA OR CANADA
There are proper ways to LEGALLY immigrate to another country, USE THEM IF YOU DO NOT QUALIFY THERE ARE REASONS FOR THIS !.
Welding certification/apprenticeship should be manatory in all states and provinces NO TICKET = NO WORK. All skilled trade should require a liscence/appreticeship program it weeds out the idiots, 15 years as a liscenced Mechanic in Canada my skills and knowledge does not mean a damn thing as far as an employer is concerned.
Ontario used to make welding a integral part of the automotive liscenced technicians apprenticeship program well not NOT ANY MORE they removed it from their curriculm. All trades are under pressure from illigal immigration/unskilled immigrant labour and poorly skilled workers it is time for both governments to realize that 12 poorly skilled trades people will never equal a properly trained one. I have always enjoyed my job and welding as part of it not any more. People who cannot read or write in engish is just not acceptable in this day and age on the jobsite.
Most companys are slowly weeding out all the highly skilled techs/ trades people for CHEAPER UNLISCENCED ones as long as you have enough liscenced techs to keep doors open legally they will keep finding ways that people no longer fit within the company = you know too much/cost too much, Secretary bring in the next poor soul for the meat grinder !.
I will be getting my welding liscence to compliment my mechanics liscence BECAUSE I WANT IT not because I need it.why buy a chinese imported product when you can buid it yourself !
Young people do not want to get DIRTY they want to flip burgers or worse sell illegal pharmaceuticals they want to follow in their parents footsteps WRONG !
I have seen very few who show the initative or the interest in skilled trades
so the infux of immigants Will lead to a reduction in the quality of life for all
trades people on a whole just because the immigrant is a skilled tradesman in their own country does not mean they know what they are doing here YES some are highly skilled BUT they should have to Prove it.
Government’s are you listening :
Require any economic stimulus jobs be filled by americans/canadians/LEGAL immigrants the money WE make stays in our respective economies and is NOT sent out of the country.
October 27th, 2010 at 7:38 pm
Send the illegals bagk where they came from and let them apply for entry like everyone else. Why should they be allowed to jump to the front of the immigration line while others have applied and are waiting. Starting out to become an American by breaking our laws and then expecting to be rewarded for it.They should be deported and forbidden to come back for a long period of time.These people should not expect anything except to be treated like the law breakers they are. Illegal immigration is a crime and that means those who come here illegally are criminals, nothing less and nothing more.