Rate of pay for a ground worker with basic tickets

[Climber85]

Not wishing to get flamed but I believe a good groundie is on a similar footing to a good climber:

 

A good groundie can think ahead of the climber, anticipate what he might need next.

A good groundie can direct climber when doing reductions etc

A good groundie can be an asset when doing dismantles (placement of lowering device to prevent over shaking of tree, good control of lowering line letting it run etc).

A good groundie watches out for the climber's safety.

A good groundie moves the climbers rope if he thinks it might get snagged before being asked.

A good groundie chats to customers.

A good groundie takes time to move things that might get broken (plant pots).

A good groundie does a lot of hard work clearing branches etc

 

It's been a long time since I worked in a professional environment on the trees but when I did I worked as a groundie and a climber. Some days, I swore it was easier being a climber.

 

I expect a groundie and climber to work as an equal team.

 

There have been posts asking where all the good groundies are but if you are paying £65 a day, can you expect great groundies?

 

Great post!

[likeitorlumpit]

Not wishing to get flamed but I believe a good groundie is on a similar footing to a good climber:

 

A good groundie can think ahead of the climber, anticipate what he might need next.

A good groundie can direct climber when doing reductions etc

A good groundie can be an asset when doing dismantles (placement of lowering device to prevent over shaking of tree, good control of lowering line letting it run etc).

A good groundie watches out for the climber's safety.

A good groundie moves the climbers rope if he thinks it might get snagged before being asked.

A good groundie chats to customers.

A good groundie takes time to move things that might get broken (plant pots).

A good groundie does a lot of hard work clearing branches etc

 

It's been a long time since I worked in a professional environment on the trees but when I did I worked as a groundie and a climber. Some days, I swore it was easier being a climber.

 

I expect a groundie and climber to work as an equal team.

 

There have been posts asking where all the good groundies are but if you are paying £65 a day, can you expect great groundies?

 

Hear what you are saying but we're talking PAYE

Paid hols and all other perks not just used or abused.

It's probably a minimum amount and for someone who has had their tickets paid for through the firm.

I've paid groundies much more in the past but on a self employed basis.

A good groundie with good tree knowledge and all the other aspects is not standard issue.

[Hodge]

He is a decent lad so I was thinking 8.75 an hour which is 70 a day, holiday pay, ppe. It ain't that bad is it?

[Andy Collins]

I based the rate of £65 per day on the information that the OP gave.

[Hodge]

I based the rate of £65 per day on the information that the OP gave.

 

I as thinking the around that figure but I thought I would give him a wee bit more as he is a good lad, he has been helping me for the last 3 years.

[TerryTibbs]

He is a decent lad so I was thinking 8.75 an hour which is 70 a day, holiday pay, ppe. It ain't that bad is it?

 

Sounds exceptionally fair. I'd go for it if it were offered. BUT i have more tickets and experience so i prefer my SE lifestyle/cash benefits!

[WoodED]

i was £60 with cs30/31 when i was self employed, (over a year ago) before tax

[Andy Collins]

There have been posts asking where all the good groundies are but if you are paying £65 a day, can you expect great groundies?

 

No, not great groundies, but a good lad who will work, drag rake and log up for 40hrs a week. If he wants to improve himself, learn more about the job, increase his skills, then as he progresses hhis pay would increase accordingly.

Yes Hodge, £70 is fine.

[KingoftheRing]

Just to clarify I'm not referring to a trainee/apprentice who needs another groundie to supervise him at all times, but an experienced groundie who knows what he is doing. The OP states the worker is 27 and has CS30/31, has 3 years experience in the job.

 

Don't get me wrong, I currently have very little work and a consistent £65 a day would make me very happy at the moment.

 

However, I believe £65 a day is cheap. Would you pay a climber that? As I said earlier, a good groundie and a good climber make a great team. They are in many ways equal. One does his job in the tree, one does his job on the ground. The holidays and other stuff are irrelevant. Many other jobs provide these but without the risks involved in tree work.

 

Edit: just seen that the wage offered is now at £70.

Edited January 7, 2013 by KingoftheRing

[KingoftheRing]

There have been posts asking where all the good groundies are but if you are paying £65 a day, can you expect great groundies?

 

No, not great groundies, but a good lad who will work, drag rake and log up for 40hrs a week. If he wants to improve himself, learn more about the job, increase his skills, then as he progresses hhis pay would increase accordingly.

Yes Hodge, £70 is fine.

 

Sounds fair.