i have a question. How far do you guys go to keep your guys from being unemployed through a slow time? here are some of the things i have tried, and i would appreciate your comments:

1. preventive maintenance work on shop equipment and service trucks.

2. in-shop training programs and proficiency improvement "tests".


3. letting guys take vacation days in advance of their actual "earned" date.

4. offering other work, such as painting, minor carpentry work, and , when the weather is right for it, operating my snowplows, (i have 2).

5. calling other contractor acquaintances in the area, and asking about any "temp." or "part-time" work my guys might do for them, until my work picks up.

6. contacting the local union hall about temp. work assignments for those who are qualified.

i've tried all of these, and, at this point, i may not have a choice but to start laying guys off next week. i hate to do that, because i'm taking the chance that i might lose some of them permanently, if they go somewhere else.

any other ideas, or, am i doing all i can now?


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gramps