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It's not been the best of days at work.
It's so very wrong that housing associations can give out work to massive contractors who have £10million plus turn over, who then sub-contract to someone with a £few million turn over, who sub contract to someone smaller who sub contracted us.
Only option is to install a complete heating system in a day or to close. Engineers are game to try, and are going to put a 9 hour day in tomorrow to see if it can be done. If not, well... I broke down and so did 'new' girl.
Thing is the HA could go out to tender with small groups of housing and actually pay a lot less, as each sub-contractor above us adds a percentage of profit on to our squeezed price. Its how it worked until a couple of years back. Not sure if its government or welsh assembly, but who ever brough in pre qualifying questionnaires should be sacked. They're destroying the lives of 11 men, four apprentices and two 'just' the clerks.
I'm tired. I try to stand but can't. And not just the wobbling from wonky legs.
I know its a whinge. But its anger too. The men all have a mortgage and family. I just don't get it. It's the rich getting richer here at the expense of little people. The firm sub-contracting us set up an office locally. Most of those are losing their job on Friday. Those who aren't are going back to their head office in the north west of England.
I don't quite see what the alternative to work houses is going to be. Not everyone is academic and not everyone can train to be a football player or a banker.
I'm disillusioned with life tonight. I've fought to build this business back in 1997. Friend faced bankruptcy through no fault of his own. Only four men back then, and I couldn't stand the thought of them losing their job. I employed them all... Stress got too much though and handed it back to him and his now 'new' wife and went to work in Tescos. I've been involved in someway or another since. Even if it was a shoulder. All the hours trying to get these contracts. Sitting in their home if they were out incase the phone rang or an email came through. Mind you, their house is lovely 
Promised four years of work in November. And its been pulled. Less than a month when I was told I'd need to work more hours.
I know I won't sleep tonight. Off tomorrow, but might pop in after tesco's been. Just to see how things are going.
so sorry things are so tough for you - i am outraged on your behalf - sending you a hug and some positive vibes
Sending you the biggest hug ever! xxx
Thank you.
Aww sparkling, it is so unfair and can feel demoralising, I hope you got a good nights sleep last night and your legs are feeling a little less wonky today.
Oh Sparkling, this is awful news for you and the rest of the workers. I'm so sorry that yet again, things are going so wrong at the moment. Have you had any more news today?
I can imagine that you didn't get a great deal of sleep last night, but please don't make yourself ill over stressing out etc. Have you eaten? No? Am thinking of you. xxxxxxxx
I haven't heard anything today. Have to say I've been checking emails as I can log in from home, but no news that end.
I've been rushing about with Scouty stuff and Cub stuff - camp tomorrow night. Loads to do in the morning with that, and then I'll call in to work.
I can't understand how its even allowed as it takes money out of the area instead of supporting local companies.
I am so angry over this. As friend says though, anger doesn't sort it.
Friend is right Sparkling. Hope all goes well with the camping trip. Try not to worry until you know what's what. xxx
just burnt my omelette
Sounds like the last straw!
It's difficult not to worry, especially when you don't know what's what but you have a lot on at the moment so get sorted for Cub camp and get the news as it comes in. Do look after yourself, as Hazleyes says.
Oh, Sparkling, I am really thinking of you! It's good that you have some distractions like the scouts, but I think when something like the omelette happens on top of everything it just makes you feel like nothing is right ever again, so I understand how sad you are.
Sending you tons and tons of hugs - wish I could do something!
Thinking of you sparkling, will keep everything crossed that something positive will happen xx
I called in today in between getting stuff sorted for Cub camp.
It's surviving another week...
A positive - albeit a small one. I hope the weekend goes well with all the camps :)
Like Anna says, a positive, which is a plus for the time being. Thinking of you. xxx
One day at a time, sparkling. Hope camp goes ok as well.
Hi sparklinglime, any news on your job?
Not as yet.
Two men are still being kept on as we have small jobs and the odd installation to keep them busy.
Not sure how it will be for us 'just the clerks' (standing joke in our office). I know I've been busy all week, and have done all that needed to be done, so can't possibly justify one and a half clerks.
'New' girl back in on Monday, so I'm sure we'll be chatting then.
No idea if anyone reads the tabloids (the one with infamous P3) but in it there's an article involving someone employed as a sub-contractor with the company we have been working for. Explains why the contractor we've been working for has been pulled from the contract.
It's resulted in about 230 workers being out of work today.
Because of one thoughtless, selfish act.
I don't mean to be dramatic, but one of our subcontractors has closed today too.
I was talking about this with a friend in Scouts. She asked about me, and I said I didn't really know, as yet. I said it was awful as these men were the main bread winners... And then she looked at me and said so are you...
How right she is sparkling. I am glad that you are still hanging in there.
Things might have turned a corner.
Yesterday was an incredibly emotional afternoon. Friend was in one meeting (door open so I could interupt! Much to new girl's amusment, although she soon joined in - had to make sure things discussed were right), and then an email came through offering a load of installs.
Trial being done to see if their costs cover things. Don't mind breaking even, but we can't do things at a loss.
I read that email and shed a few tears.
Still can't relax, but not quite so sad.
That's brilliant news. I'm made up for you all. xxxxxxx
Friend wasn't surprised I got emotional, and we went back over the years with things (setting it up in 1997 and me getting the first van...) I think it cleared a few things for 'new' girl though, as she now has an idea of why I get so emotional with the business. She didn't realise it was my baby - and possibly my therapy after my Mum died.
Oh let's hope this will work out, sparkling
Everything is crossed Louise.
This week I've worked 28 hours! Had to put stuff together for yesterday. I was so tired when I came home - as I stayed to scan Scout stuff too!
I just hope its worth it.
I've told Dave he owes me a year off to make up for the hours!!!
It was so lovely to have a happy couple of days.
Hi sparkling, there have been so many "near misses" in the last couple of years but this sounds even worse. Every business is precarious in the current climate but as you say, the statistics do not reflect that behind every job lost there is a person, their family, their lifestyle, their self esteem.
The sub-contracting scenario sounds dreadful and takes no account of reliable local firms and good customer service.
Hope you did manage to get some rest (it's cooler so that might help)