1486
Fry cooks (i.imgur.com)
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[-] sebinspace@lemmy.world 21 points 1 year ago

I don’t think you’re looking at this the right way.

It’s not that packing boxes isn’t a skilled job.

It’s that working at McDonald’s is a skilled job.

Any job that requires a non-zero level of training (which is all of them) is a skilled job. The idea of “unskilled labor” is one perpetuated by the bourgeois to justify paying some people a shit wage and keeping them poor.

[-] evranch@lemmy.ca 7 points 1 year ago

As an electrician "unskilled labour" does exist. It's effectively the classification for anyone who can be trained in under a day and is thus replaceable. Unlike "skilled trades" who can take years of training and are not immediately replaceable.

These jobs are essential on site but their inherent replaceability keeps wages rock bottom due to competition at the bottom of the pay scale.

Examples are the "gopher" who fetches material, holds ladders, passes tools etc. Usually a young guy. Often this job only exists if there are no apprentices around, and is your foot in the door for apprentice if you show any initiative and aptitude.

Then there are the "goon jobs" like wheelbarrow pushing, unloading trucks or rough shovel work. These jobs have the worst ratio of meager pay to hard work possible, and in general suck ass and should be avoided at all cost. Honestly I don't know why anyone shows up for these, I would rather pick up cans or bum for spare change

[-] unfreeradical@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

You seem determined to construct distinctions merely for the sake of distinctions existing.

[-] tocopherol@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 1 year ago

These distinctions come about organically though. If you work with a crew of people doing tasks that require a lot of experience to do well, like cutting metal precisely, you will notice quickly who has that experience and who doesn't. Specialization of trades came about naturally as societies progressed. Not all tasks need to be so precise or require training. The issue I think with the distinction is when people are not paid enough to live for a job, when their tasks are just as essential to the completion of the project as those making much more. Many jobs that are 'unskilled' were also 'essential' during the lock down phase of the pandemic. I agree with your point that the language we use is important, by calling these 'low' tasks unskilled it helps excuse the unfair pay.

[-] unfreeradical@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

The inherent attributes of certain skills, or kinds of labor, surely express natural distinctions, and their importance is supported by the quite robust tendency within society for the emergence of specialization.

However, the deeper structures of categorization and classification, as emphasized in the particular comment, are more dubious respecting any genuine meaning or validity, and certainly may tend to confer harm to those on whom have been imposed less prestigious ranks.

[-] Firenz@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago

rock bottom wages

Although it can probably be agreed that Australia is an outlier for low wages, noting that we need more people to fill jobs, and that is the driver behind such high wages.

12 years ago I overheard someone who could not have been more than 20 years of age saying they wouldn’t work for less than $80/hour. That was in the middle of a mining boom when 10,000 people a week were moving west because the wages were higher than what many could obtain with a degree. School teachers, nurses etc were quitting their jobs to work in the mining sector.

The only requirement is a white card which you can now obtain online for less than $50 and a few hours of your time.

[-] ThatFembyWho 6 points 1 year ago

Well yes and no. I mean, there are no interviews at Amazon, like if you can show up, have an ID, and can communicate in virtually any language, they will find a job for you... I just don't consider that skilled labor in the same sense as being a plumber or engineer or teacher, where you really need to study and know specific things before you can competently perform the work.

I mean, sure being able to walk and read and use your hands are skills, but really basic level.

[-] sebinspace@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

I just don’t consider that skilled labor

And that’s why it’s not up to you, because you completely missed the point :)

[-] unfreeradical@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Working as a teacher or engineer relates very weakly to academic study, and very strongly to the interaction between innate talents and practical experience.

this post was submitted on 08 Nov 2023
1486 points (100.0% liked)

Antiwork

3795 readers
19 users here now

A community for those who want to end work, are curious about ending work, want to get the most out of a work-free life, want more information on anti-work ideas and want personal help with their own jobs/work-related struggles.

The new place for c/antiwork@lemmy.fmhy.ml

This server is no longer working, and we had to move.

Active stats from all instances

Subscribers: 2.1k

Date Created: June 21, 2023

Library copied from reddit:
The Anti-Work Library 📚
Essential Reads

Start here! These are probably the most talked-about essays on the topic.

c/Antiwork Rules

Tap or click to expand

1. Server Main Rules

The main rules of the server will be enforced stringently. https://lemmy.world/

2. No spam or reposts + limit off topic comments

Spamming posts will be removed. Reposts will be removed with the exception of a repost becoming the main hub for discussion on that topic.

Off topic comments that do not pertain to the post at hand may be removed if it is deemed they contribute nothing and/or foster hostility at users. This mostly applies to political and religious debate, but can be applied to other things at the mod’s discretion.

3. Post must have Antiwork/ Work Reform explicitly involved

Post must have Antiwork/Work Reform explicitly involved in some capacity. This can be talking about antiwork, work reform, laws, and ext.

4. Educate don’t attack

No mocking, demeaning, flamebaiting, purposeful antagonizing, trolling, hateful language, false accusation or allegation, or backseat moderating is allowed. Don’t resort to ad hominem attacks against another user or insult other people, examples of violations would be going after the person rather than the stance they take.

If we feel the comment is uncalled for we will remove it. Stay civil and there won’t be problems.

5. No Advertising

Under no circumstance are you allowed to promote or advertise any product or service

6. No factually misleading informationContent that makes claims or implications that can be proven false or misleading will be removed.

7. Headlines

If the title of the post isn’t an original title of the article then the first thing in the body of the post should be an original title written in this format “Original title: {title here}”.

8. Staff Discretion

Staff can take disciplinary action on offenses not listed in the rules when a community member's actions or general conduct creates a negative experience for another player and/or the community.

It is impossible to list every example or variation of the rules. It is also impossible to word everything perfectly. Players are expected to understand the intent of the rules and not attempt to "toe the line" or use loopholes to get around the intent of the rule.


Other Communities

c/workreform@lemmy.world


Server status for big servers http://lemmy-status.org/

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS