Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar » Question of the day
SUBSCRIBE to Capitol Fax      Advertise Here      About     Exclusive Subscriber Content     Updated Posts    Contact Rich Miller
CapitolFax.com
To subscribe to Capitol Fax, click here.
Question of the day

Friday, Jul 27, 2018 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Before I moved to a downtown Chicago high-rise several years ago, I just assumed window washers stood on platforms that operated on tracks moving them up and down the buildings.

So, imagine my surprise one day when I heard a “thump” on my apartment’s living room window and rushed to the room to see a window-washer literally dangling from a thick rope while he squeegeed my windows. The thump I heard was his shoes hitting the window as he was lowered to my floor. I stood there and watched in awe as he “jumped” from window to window, high above the street below. I’d never seen anything like it.

I remember thinking how crazy brave that guy had to be. I mean, it’s not like Chicago isn’t known for windy days near the lake or anything. I also figured he and his co-workers made a good living. Wrong again. From earlier this month

The window washers who dangle from Chicago’s glassy high-rises traded in their squeegees for picket signs Monday as they went on strike to demand higher wages and better benefits. […]

“It’s a dangerous job,” said Efren Salas, 27, who carried a bullhorn as he and other window washers marched near Trump Tower chanting for a new contract. “You put your life on the ropes every day.” […]

The union is asking for starting wages to increase from a range of $12 to $20.50 per hour now to a range of $16 to $25.

It also is seeking increased life insurance coverage, to $100,000 from $50,000, and a better deal on health insurance.

* I have the utmost respect for people who can do things that I could not or would not ever do. And being a Chicago window washer is most definitely right up there on both of those lists. So, congratulations on the new contract

After nearly a month on strike, the window washers who dangle from Chicago’s downtown high-rises have ratified a new contract that includes the 27 percent wage hike they had been seeking.

The agreement raises the base hourly wage to $26 over the life of the five-year contract, and doubles their life insurance to $100,000 from $50,000, Service Employees International Union Local 1 said Friday.

* The Question: What are some jobs you would never do, regardless of the money? Explain.

       

53 Comments
  1. - Just Observing - Friday, Jul 27, 18 @ 2:06 pm:

    Thai-cave rescue diver!!!!


  2. - RNUG - Friday, Jul 27, 18 @ 2:07 pm:

    Politican / Elected Official …


  3. - 47th Ward - Friday, Jul 27, 18 @ 2:08 pm:

    Donald Trump’s spokesman.


  4. - jwI - Friday, Jul 27, 18 @ 2:08 pm:

    hang upside down on a helicopter working on high power electric lines


  5. - G'Kar - Friday, Jul 27, 18 @ 2:08 pm:

    I have the utmost respect for those who do, but I could never work in a slaughter house or a animal shelter with a kill policy.


  6. - DuPage Saint - Friday, Jul 27, 18 @ 2:15 pm:

    Chicago cop


  7. - 47th Ward - Friday, Jul 27, 18 @ 2:15 pm:

    I’ve always looked up at window washers hanging 200 feet above the streets and thought: whatever they’re getting paid is not enough. That’s a tough job.

    I have a lot of respect for people who work at DCFS. I could never endure encountering children who’ve been hurt by adults without reacting violently. I’m way too weak for that work and children need someone strong to protect them.


  8. - Oswego Willy - Friday, Jul 27, 18 @ 2:15 pm:

    High rise steelworkers.

    Forget the job they’re doing, the skill, the craft to it, they walk on beams as if it’s a two foot drop off a stoop. I’d be terrified, what if I got light headed, leaned left or right…

    No way. No amount of money.


  9. - Ole General - Friday, Jul 27, 18 @ 2:17 pm:

    Truck driver


  10. - Ryan - Friday, Jul 27, 18 @ 2:18 pm:

    A teacher. They get zero respect, hardly any support, and are blamed for everything.


  11. - 37B - Friday, Jul 27, 18 @ 2:18 pm:

    Window washer.
    Oh yes, and high rise ironworker. . . A pattern is developing. . .
    “High anxiety: you win.”


  12. - Glengarry - Friday, Jul 27, 18 @ 2:20 pm:

    I love my grandfather but I’d never want to be a butcher like he was back in the day.


  13. - Oswego Willy - Friday, Jul 27, 18 @ 2:22 pm:

    - 37B -

    Fair enough.

    First responders, sure… but for me in that group, EMT/Paramedic

    You have no idea what you’re walking into

    It’s a medical emergency that needs attention within that setting

    Thinking on your feet, quickly, and doing the triage, immediate care, and then… transporting safely a patient so permanent damage is kept at minimums…

    No way. I’d take that home with me, it would easily haunt me, and you need a clear mind for the next call to make good medical decisions on the scene… no way.


  14. - Casual observer - Friday, Jul 27, 18 @ 2:25 pm:

    I have a friend who is a pediatric oncologist. Thank God for people who can do that.


  15. - Nick Name - Friday, Jul 27, 18 @ 2:25 pm:

    Anything high up.


  16. - RNUG - Friday, Jul 27, 18 @ 2:25 pm:

    == High rise steelworkers. ==

    -OW-, I come from a local ng line of ironworkers. Walked red iron as a teenager, but took my dad’s advice and got an inside job.


  17. - 47th Ward - Friday, Jul 27, 18 @ 2:27 pm:

    Specialty cleaners, aka crime-scene janitors, has to be up there. After the body (or bodies) gets moved to the morgue, somebody gets called in to clean up what’s left behind. No way, not me.


  18. - Oswego Willy - Friday, Jul 27, 18 @ 2:28 pm:

    ===I come from a long line of ironworkers. Walked red iron as a teenager, but took my dad’s advice and got an inside job.===

    Whew. Much respect. How you did those walks, wow.

    The way they go about their business, on the flip side, no fear is apparent. It’s mesmerizing watching. Big props to your family.


  19. - 47th Ward - Friday, Jul 27, 18 @ 2:28 pm:

    ===High rise steelworkers.===

    You know that famous photo of the guys having lunch on the beam above the city skyline? I get queasy looking at that.


  20. - Huh? - Friday, Jul 27, 18 @ 2:29 pm:

    Anything in the medical profession. Worked in hospital as night admitting clerk. The nurses I dealt with were some of the toughest people I ever met.


  21. - Arthur Andersen - Friday, Jul 27, 18 @ 2:31 pm:

    Up in the sky doing anything suspended to a rope. I’m not coordinated enough to pull that off.

    Oh, and proctologist. Dealt with enough of those on the front end.


  22. - Real - Friday, Jul 27, 18 @ 2:31 pm:

    I could never do paramedic, doctor, or window washer.

    I am afraid of heights and I don’t like blood or seeing open wounds.


  23. - Arthur Andersen - Friday, Jul 27, 18 @ 2:32 pm:

    47, that guy who works on the TV antennas atop Sears is the one that gets to me.


  24. - Jocko - Friday, Jul 27, 18 @ 2:34 pm:

    I knew someone who removed asbestos from a decommissioned plant (100 degrees before putting on the Tyvek suit).

    Not to mention working in a rendering or sewage treatment plant.


  25. - MSIX - Friday, Jul 27, 18 @ 2:34 pm:

    Governor of Illinois

    (Like becoming Captain of the Titanic post-iceberg.)


  26. - Ducky LaMoore - Friday, Jul 27, 18 @ 2:35 pm:

    Obviously barring desperation, I will never again work for a large or even medium-sized company. I will be an independent small businessman until I die. It’s the only way for me.


  27. - Cheswick - Friday, Jul 27, 18 @ 2:36 pm:

    I hand-picked cotton the summer after 5th grade. 50 years later, my hands still have scars and my back is in rough shape.


  28. - Wensicia - Friday, Jul 27, 18 @ 2:40 pm:

    I wouldn’t want to work any outside job more than 12 feet above ground level or 12 feet below.


  29. - Casual observer - Friday, Jul 27, 18 @ 2:40 pm:

    Publisher of Capitol Fax.


  30. - Honeybear - Friday, Jul 27, 18 @ 2:42 pm:

    HSCM- Human Services Casework Manager
    Oh my God, the most hellacious job
    Customer mad at you
    LOA’s mad at you ( local office administrators)
    Intractable problems with IES
    Always behind on work
    Not enough hours
    No amount of money could make take that job
    I’m very acrophobic
    I would rather be a high rise iron worker 100 stories up


  31. - zatoichi - Friday, Jul 27, 18 @ 2:42 pm:

    Anything on a tower that moves even slightly. Climbed a tall fire tower in northwest Arkansas with my son. He laughed to the top. I had to stop half way up and just grabbed the rail. It came out of no where. Like 47, that steel worker lunch on the iron just hits.


  32. - Stumpy's bunker - Friday, Jul 27, 18 @ 2:43 pm:

    Anything on a ladder, or construction beam, over 8 ft. up.

    Child Protective Investigators and first responders cannot sit on furniture for fear of becoming infested; it’s bad enough to walk to walk across carpets in some of those houses and hear pet urine squish. I’m sorry to disturb your sensibilities, but these are the facts.


  33. - Norseman - Friday, Jul 27, 18 @ 2:46 pm:

    Substitute teach. Did it 2 days during my time fighting Blago for my job back. NEVER EVER AGAIN!


  34. - Centerfield - Friday, Jul 27, 18 @ 2:46 pm:

    Those people at Costco and Sam’s clubs that are always trying to get your attention to sell you satelite tv.


  35. - I Miss Bentohs - Friday, Jul 27, 18 @ 2:47 pm:

    Emergency Room nurse


  36. - Norseman - Friday, Jul 27, 18 @ 2:48 pm:

    2nd - I’ll go with the height thing AA and others have mentioned.


  37. - 47th Ward - Friday, Jul 27, 18 @ 2:53 pm:

    Comment moderator at any local newspaper website. Yeesh.


  38. - Smalls - Friday, Jul 27, 18 @ 2:58 pm:

    The guys that work on the antennas on top of the Sears Tower.


  39. - don the legend - Friday, Jul 27, 18 @ 3:03 pm:

    Caregiver. God bless them.

    I pray in the years ahead I don’t have to be one or need one.


  40. - Annie - Friday, Jul 27, 18 @ 3:16 pm:

    You live in a downtown Chicago high rise?


  41. - a drop in - Friday, Jul 27, 18 @ 3:17 pm:

    Once went door to door shilling for a candidate for alderman. Never again. I don’t believe in any politician that much. Felt like a B.S. artist.


  42. - Gooner - Friday, Jul 27, 18 @ 3:21 pm:

    Two come to mind:

    1) High rise construction crane operator. Being way up high, having to climb a ladder up there, and then being trapped in a tiny box would really bother me.

    2) Something that I’ve done, and will never do again, since it was so terrible: counsel for health insurers denying claims. Writing letters explaining why the health insurance policy did not cover something was just miserable. Now, I couldn’t face my kids if I did that for a living.


  43. - Just Me - Friday, Jul 27, 18 @ 3:25 pm:

    Work for Bruce Rauner or Mike Madigan. Both epitomize all that is wrong with public service.


  44. - don the legend - Friday, Jul 27, 18 @ 3:26 pm:

    Nothing like most of these, but once I learned about cash value life insurance, I know I could never sleep at night selling that product.


  45. - Stoney - Friday, Jul 27, 18 @ 3:27 pm:

    The list is long but anything involving working higher than a six foot ladder is out. I had to quit watching a video of a guy changing light bulbs atop an antenna tower.
    Also, direct contact health care workers, what they pay some of them is a sin.


  46. - Generic Drone - Friday, Jul 27, 18 @ 3:30 pm:

    Was a underground coal miner for years, but would never go fishing for crab on the Bering sea.


  47. - Chunga - Friday, Jul 27, 18 @ 3:34 pm:

    Lab rat midwife


  48. - Small Town - Friday, Jul 27, 18 @ 3:41 pm:

    Electric Lineman, going out into those dangerous storms climbing up poles


  49. - Powerhouse Prowler - Friday, Jul 27, 18 @ 3:43 pm:

    Sad there are so many underpaid and un respected jobs. A lot of good points posted above.


  50. - Cheryl44 - Friday, Jul 27, 18 @ 3:44 pm:

    Cop.


  51. - Hate to drive - Friday, Jul 27, 18 @ 3:54 pm:

    Most of mine were already mentioned, but one that wasn’t is driving a school bus.


  52. - Dead Head - Friday, Jul 27, 18 @ 3:56 pm:

    Wildfire Fighter


  53. - Rich Miller - Friday, Jul 27, 18 @ 4:04 pm:

    ===Comment moderator at any local newspaper website===

    I don’t believe that job exists.


Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.


* Federal appeals court stays Downstate federal judge's gun ruling (Updated)
* Isabel’s afternoon roundup
* Illinois Supreme Court: Raw cannabis smell is enough to trigger warrantless automobile searches
* Question of the day: Golden Horseshoe Awards
* Carp-e Diem!
* Roundup: Jurors see Madigan’s list of recommended hires for Pritzker administration
* Open thread
* Isabel’s morning briefing
* Live coverage
* Selected press releases (Live updates)
* Yesterday's stories

Support CapitolFax.com
Visit our advertisers...

...............

...............

...............

...............

...............

...............

...............


Loading


Main Menu
Home
Illinois
YouTube
Pundit rankings
Obama
Subscriber Content
Durbin
Burris
Blagojevich Trial
Advertising
Updated Posts
Polls

Archives
December 2024
November 2024
October 2024
September 2024
August 2024
July 2024
June 2024
May 2024
April 2024
March 2024
February 2024
January 2024
December 2023
November 2023
October 2023
September 2023
August 2023
July 2023
June 2023
May 2023
April 2023
March 2023
February 2023
January 2023
December 2022
November 2022
October 2022
September 2022
August 2022
July 2022
June 2022
May 2022
April 2022
March 2022
February 2022
January 2022
December 2021
November 2021
October 2021
September 2021
August 2021
July 2021
June 2021
May 2021
April 2021
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
June 2020
May 2020
April 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
August 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
January 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
September 2017
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
March 2017
February 2017
January 2017
December 2016
November 2016
October 2016
September 2016
August 2016
July 2016
June 2016
May 2016
April 2016
March 2016
February 2016
January 2016
December 2015
November 2015
October 2015
September 2015
August 2015
July 2015
June 2015
May 2015
April 2015
March 2015
February 2015
January 2015
December 2014
November 2014
October 2014
September 2014
August 2014
July 2014
June 2014
May 2014
April 2014
March 2014
February 2014
January 2014
December 2013
November 2013
October 2013
September 2013
August 2013
July 2013
June 2013
May 2013
April 2013
March 2013
February 2013
January 2013
December 2012
November 2012
October 2012
September 2012
August 2012
July 2012
June 2012
May 2012
April 2012
March 2012
February 2012
January 2012
December 2011
November 2011
October 2011
September 2011
August 2011
July 2011
June 2011
May 2011
April 2011
March 2011
February 2011
January 2011
December 2010
November 2010
October 2010
September 2010
August 2010
July 2010
June 2010
May 2010
April 2010
March 2010
February 2010
January 2010
December 2009
November 2009
October 2009
September 2009
August 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
February 2009
January 2009
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006
August 2006
July 2006
June 2006
May 2006
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
December 2005
April 2005
March 2005
February 2005
January 2005
December 2004
November 2004
October 2004

Blog*Spot Archives
November 2005
October 2005
September 2005
August 2005
July 2005
June 2005
May 2005

Syndication

RSS Feed 2.0
Comments RSS 2.0




Hosted by MCS SUBSCRIBE to Capitol Fax Advertise Here Mobile Version Contact Rich Miller