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Temp Troops of High-Tech

A submitter sends in this story about temp work in Silicon Valley, from the point of view of the temp. Compare almost the same story written from the point of view of Amazon.com's management.

8 of 476 comments (clear)

  1. Happy Troll Tuesday!!! by CmderTaco · · Score: -1, Troll

    I hate you all!!!
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    --
    - Marco
  2. Re:not my desk by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    I prefer the point of view of this guy.

  3. It's quite sad by k98sven · · Score: 1, Troll

    that these big companies with their huge revenues can't give their lowest-payed staff a decent wage.

    There should be some kind of income cap, like the top-paied executive can't earn more than 10x what the lowest paid worker in the company can.

  4. Socialist Muckraking has no home on slashdot by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    Socialist Muckraking has no home on slashdot.

    Why, because the world of uneducated manual labor workers is not part of of the tech world except to pack boxes.

    I will hire whatever firm fullfils my packing needs at the best price and most reliably.

    That is how capitalism works.

    Otherwise we all might as well move off to Finland or Russia.

    Programmers spent their youths learning to think and learning a trade, same with all skilled technologists.

    People that choose to drink beer and watch MTV all day can pack boxes for 10 dollars an hour and pay negligible amounts of federal and state taxes. Thats their choice.

    In the state in the article, California, the taxes are the highes in america for sinlge workers making over 104 thousand per year.

    If self employed you have :
    Nearly 29 percent going to fed gov, 10 percent going to California, 15% for FICA Social security. 3% for CASDI OSHA.

    (If not self employed osha is 1.5 and FICA is 7.5 but the missing half is taken from you by your employer forceably before you see the check)

    Thats FIFTY EIGHT percent of income TAXED!!!

    Then theirs the 8.5% tax on all remaining money when spent in california on taxable goods and services. Because its on the NET after taxes, its actually not 8.5 its 17% in fact.

    Thats 58% + 17% = 70% TAXATION in california, if all money spent in california on goods.

    but theres more, much more, if you neglect the portion spent on rent or morgage the property taxes for that portion is 17% for certain anyways. CA is highest in the land in most areas for school taxes and such.

    What about auto registration taxes?

    2% EVERY YEAR on car value! Jay Leno owns 50 cars, he loses one car to the goverment of california every year for vehicle registration fees (2% = 1:50).

    Living and WORKING in california takes way over 2 of your three dollars earned every day so socialist illegal alien workers at temp agencies packing boxes can live the good life and rasie children on free food and housing entitlements while you are a human slave.

  5. Workers already have the power! by anomaly · · Score: 4, Troll

    Low wage jobs can be unpleasant. The managers there frequently have no training in how to work with people. Production oriented jobs like the one described in the article are often focused on keeping the line moving.

    And yet, these people choose to work there for $8 an hour. This is their choice. They also opt to live in one of the most expensive places in the world. This too is a choice.

    Before you pound on me for being heartless, it may be important to note that I have passed through that place, as well. I come from a poor family in an economically depressed area.

    I have worked as a laborer doing back-breaking work by the sweat of my brow. I have also worked in mall jobs that were production oriented. "No talking! You're here to work, not have fun!" I have worked in food service as a busboy and waiter for long hours and late nights.

    It was my experience in those places that motivated me to get my education. Without those jobs, I would not have chosen to finish school.

    People can go to school, even while working a low-wage job. I did it, my parents did it in their 40's, and YOU can do it, too.

    If it's too expensive where you live, MOVE to somewhere cheaper. Don't want to move? Be creative, find a way to make it work. Don't want to do that? Then accept the fact that you will work that kind of job for the rest of your days.

    The future is in your hands. Repeat after me: "If it's to be, it's up to me. If it's to be, it's up to me. If it's to be....."

    --
    But Herr Heisenberg, how does the electron know when I'm looking?
  6. Re:The world economy. by DEBEDb · · Score: 0, Troll


    If you are easily replaceable, that's your own damn fault. The fact that there are those willing to replace you means that the job, however foul to you, is desirable to others.


    If you put in two weeks of work and don't get the check in time it's your own damn fault.

    If your manager bullshits to you about the check until you're kicked out by your landlord for not paying the rent it's your damn fault.

    The company's goal is to make a profit. It is not to honor a contract - with some drone who can't afford a lawyer.

    My little libertarian friends, tie your feet to the chair legs and spare the knee-jerk responses.

    --

    Considered harmful.
  7. Marx was right by miletus · · Score: 0, Troll

    This remark seems to beautifully illustrate what Marx meant in Capital about how the industrial revolution turns the worker into a mere appendage of the machine. The "New Economy" looks a lot like the old one.

  8. UNEDUCATED MANUAL WORKERS - LIKE ANTS! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll
    They are everywhere. EVERYWHERE. A limitless pool of stupidity.


    Now why didn't their parents use contraceptives? Ah, yes, Cultural Values.