Live reporting from a major construction site where there have been reports of labor issues:
Friday Thoughts: excuse me sir, can you help me understand the problems here?
Stone Mason: Don’t bother me, I am busy.
FT: Are there problem’s here?
SM: yes it’s a damn mess
FT: What’s the job?
SM: I am a stonemason – I am working on this &@$% wall….. this place is all screwed up…….
FT: What’s the problem?
SM: They keep changing the plans – can’t make up their minds what the hell they want. And now we get a new supervisor – he is an idiot.
FT: You don’t like him?
SM: No! He shows up and did not even know my name – I have been doing all this work for months and he walks in and starts off criticizing it. He is a moron.
FT: Sounds frustrating……
SM: Then they changed the size of the stones – too small. Now the mortar is all wrong – not enough water, too much sand. I told them but do I get an answer??? Hell no !
SM: I am now hearing that they may start mixing up crews - getting the masons and carpenters together – just stupid - that will never work.
FT: You are not very happy…..
SM: Get this – this morning they tell us they love our work and the raise we wanted has come through. We get all excited. Then at noon they tell us it was a mistake and the message was meant for the electricians. They apologized but what a bunch of idiots!. Maybe they are doing this to just get me to leave.
FT: Sounds like harassment….
SM: Look, I am just trying to do my job and get this %@$# wall built and move on.
FT: I see…..mind if we talk to your co-worker over there?
SM: Him ? sure, go ahead – but warning you – he has a few loose marbles up there if you know what I mean.
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FT: Excuse me, sir, have a minute ?
Stone Mason 2: sure ! Nice morning eh !?
FT: yes, ummmm. We hear things are pretty bad here on this construction job.
SM2: Really ??! I think things are great. It’s really beautiful isn’t it?
FT: What? I heard that the plans keep changing…..
SM2: Oh, sure – upgrades really - but when building something as complex as this people see new opportunities – couldn’t pass up a good idea and end up with something mediocre…….
FT: But we were just talking to your fellow mason over there – he says the new boss came in and started criticizing everything.
SM2: He’s just a new boss – he has some good ideas- maybe some that are not so good. But he will soon understand what we are building here. Hey, we can use some fresh ideas for something as important as this.
FT: Your buddy was saying the stones are the wrong size, the mortar has too much sand and….
SM2: ah… maybe – but I like the colors of the new stones – gives the whole project more character – there are some small things, but we are working through them
FT: but what about the pay increases that were announced and then taken away? That must have really made you mad……
SM2: oh that ! pretty funny – it was an honest mistake – no big deal - those things happen when you take on something as complex, bold and challenging as this………
FT: Bold ? Challenging ?
SM2: Yes – isn’t this just amazing! Absolutely beautiful…. to be honest it is a privilege to be part of it. This is something I can tell my children and grandchildren about.
FT: ughhhhh…. Nice that you are proud of your work, but really that sounds a bit grandiose for a stone wall.
SM2: Building a wall?? No, no sir…. I am not building a wall. I am building a cathedral. You see, this place will shape thousands of peoples’ lives for years to come …..couples will be married here, children baptized, lives celebrated. This place will shelter the poor and comfort those in need…. this place will touch people’s souls….
Building a wall ?? No sir, I am building a cathedral.
Just a few thoughts…