Piece Rate

[paintitnow]

Not long ago I talked with a utiliquest locator and he said that they were looking at going to piece work sometime next year. Told me they were going to be provided a paint stick that would count the footage as they painted.

Not sure if he was feeding me some bull figure I'd throw it out there since we were talking piece work.

I do not think he was. A while back there was talk of a smart paint stick with a gps on it.

[Wingfoot]

A Utiliquest locator said they were going to be provided a paint stick that counts the footage as they painted. Not sure if he was feeding me bull[shit].

I do not think he was. There is talk of a smart paint stick with gps on it.

My district bid on a southern Missouri water department locating contract last year that stipulated the locators use the water department's provided and maintained paint sticks with the integrated GPS. I don't know the particulars of the equipment provided; or if we even got the contract.

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[Mke]

I don't see how piece rate will work on currently negotiated contracts. It makes sense how Steve lays it out. Being paid by hook up and footage. If the contract is set up that way it works out great. If it is negotiated as "Per Request" like most of the big contracts are, I don't know how you can piece rate it as a locator, if the company is getting paid per request. There will be a big discrepency. Especially if the company is already loosing their ass on Per Request. And if the Company is paid Per footage and/or hook up they wouldn't be loosing their ass on the "Per Request" contract and wouldn't be looking to go piece rate.

It sounds like a Catch 22. If the company is likeing the idea, they must see a way to scrape more money out of the locators, cause I don't see them renegotiating the contracts.

Just a thought.
Mke

[Reece]

Piece rate won't work! But that doesn't matter to management. They are counting on most senior locators leaving. Less money to pay out. They feel it is worth the risk of having less experience vs. higher wages. Besides if they just came out and fired everyone over a certain amount and hired new guys to take their place, they would get sued back to the stone age. We as locators may or may not win in that scenario, but it would definitely be a huge expense for the company!!!

[daman1]

The NTSB is pushing a nation-wide ban on using cell phones while driving. You gotta wander how it would affect piece rates. I've always wandered when some stressed out locator steering with his knees with a phone in his ear while typing on a laptop was gonna kill somebody.
A ban would DESTROY idle-time regulation. Can you imagine pulling over for EVERY phone call? I can't decide weather it's a good thing or not.....

[Reece]

Just heard everyone over 17 an hour in OKC just got cut. But they can come back for lower wage. Now can you believe they are trimming budget for a possible sale?

[6feetunder]

Just heard everyone over 17 an hour in OKC just got cut. But they can come back for lower wage. Now can you believe they are trimming budget for a possible sale?

We heard rumors this might happen. Has anyone else seen this happening?

[sprayandpray]

One of my Buddies called a friend of his with USIC in OKC and was told they haven't heard anything about this. They had heard the rumor about the bottom producers being laid off but nothing has happened - yet.

[Wingfoot]

What's the going opinion of being paid by piece rate rather than hourly? I hear that is a way alot on companies are moving.

justanotherlocator must have had a crystal ball............. Middle management recently shot a warning shot over the bow via email, "the corporate bean counters are planning a piece rate pilot program as early as March or April 2012 to work out the bugs........" That is some scary shit............... just sayin'.

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Piece rate won't work! But that doesn't matter to management. They are counting on most senior locators leaving. We as locators may or may not win in that scenario, but it would definitely be a huge expense for the company!!!

Hey Reece - I've learned from a reliable source that due to the constant bitchin' from the field (mainly locators) and the very real possibility of the wholesale loss of senior locating staff if piece rate locating were to be implemented, the planned piece rate pilot program has be shelved! For now anyway..................

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[Paidtograffitti]

Hey wing, this is good news, if true. Any update?

[Wingfoot]

Hey wing, this is good news, if true. Any update?

Hey Buddy - All is quiet on the home front!

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[boblocates]

Locator to Locator Piece rate is great $$$$$$.

People that have issues with it are lazy or damage friendly. Piece Rate gives you control of your pay, get to work son!



-Bob

[foster_grant]

Gee Bob, what if you are in a one way area. 2.50 per ticket does not pay the bills. Think about how many tickets you would have to do carve out a decent living.

You sound like a manager who likes to stick it to the little guy (locators)

[boblocates]

$2.50 piece rate? Where is this? The lowest I have seen in the west is 7 and the highest 12??? I know several fellow locators some working at the same place and others not, RAKING it in! Look for the money!

[TheCableVine]

I work on piece rate and I couldn't live at $2.50 a ticket. I still say piece rate is great if you have a good per-ticket price.