I started my apprenticeship working as a scaffold builder in a coal fired power plant. Starting pay was just above minimum wage as an apprentice and my boss at that location was a complete asshole. He expected all the workers to work at an unrealistic pace. He expected a large scaffold to be built in a matter of hours even though it violated OSHA and basic health violations. He felt if you weren’t picking up slack or breaking your back, literally, then you weren’t seen as valuable. So, this location is situated on a Indian reservation where basically anything goes. Not to make it a race thing, but it seemed that American Indian health was not a concern for the major companies at that specific location.
I have since moved to another place of employment that treats me so much better that I can’t believe I worked in dirty and depressing conditions. Other union members and I have spoke out about the issues at this place but nothing seems to change and I believe it has to do with the fact that it’s on sovereign Indian land. I see posts on this subreddit about petty work issues and I just thought I’d express my experiences which might be totally degrading if someone else were to experience them. Any questions are welcome 🤘