David Irwin

Countries get the government that they deserve!

Tisa, I gess English is a second langauge for you so I will try to help, Tell us that Slovinia is a cheap place to live and that accommodation and meals are inexpensive. Perhaps this job is suited to those looking for a working holiday with no expectations of bringing home savings. Tells us about the friendly people and culture.

Being in business is the most rewarding thing, both finantualy and for your self asteem. I ran my own tree surgery Business for ten years , it was not all beer and skidles but worth while. You have to wonder at the motives of people who advise you against going into business. You get to choose how well you do ! Yes it is all up to just you, take the challenge life is about risk and reward. What would you rather do in your old age? think about lost opertunity or have a warm simle for all of the days that were well lived?

In Australia we have a saying if it moves shoot it! If it doesnt chop it down! Tree presivation was tried in Nedlands Perth Western Australia the end result was that it was so hated by the residents the elected councilers were voted out, and the new ones got rid of the laws. The reality is unless people who are telling you what you sould do with your trees are willing to pay for any liabilities. They shoukl Keep the hell out of your affairs and away from your property.

You expect honey from a monkeys ase? Why do we laugh at jokes? They are hiden thoughts and desires, that we supress even to ourselfs, laughter is a way of expressing them harmlessly

Home owners and employers must ensure that contractors have the competency and equipment to carry out tree felling, lopping and pruning safely. Any person who employs another for such work becomes the principle contractor under section 19.4 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984, and must ensure that they are not exposed to hazards in the workplace. This is the way it is in Western Australia.

Hey munky hows things in lovely Queensland? I was there 17 years ago what a place. I was just thinking it ma be a idea to get that in writing , that is that you are covered for insurance by the company. If they question you for asking , tell them you want to be pro active and that you were advised it was a prudent thing to do. Here are some of the replys you will receive- Yes sure I will give it to you right now. Yes but Iam busy right now I will get it to you soon, and gess what? it never comes. No I was wrong, or I never said that! I hope the first answer is the one you get. See you Munky

I have bein reading the mostly helpfull sugestions, First dont let white collar crime happen to you! Intimination & reving chain saws at people are counter productive even if they make you feel good. Send a letter stating the facts and give a weeks notice that unless payment is made you will be going to the local court and that extra cost will be incured by the person who owes you money. (defendant) Remember the courts are your freind even if the (defentant) claims the job was of poor quality and even if it was, unless you have dammaged property you will still be paid. Reputation is important and that is why it means so much. A trap for the silly people avoiding paying tax is that they leave themselfs open to non payers as they dare not risk bein Dodded in.

Self emloyed (contractor) or Empoyee This area is sometimes gray and not black or white. Offten people do not understand there position and arguments about the employment happen after a bad accident. I do not know the situation in the UK , have you thought about asking the tax office or your employer? That may be a place to start. This is my understanding of the things used to identify employee or Contractor. Self empoyed - works for many more than one employer, usually quotes , not offten works for hourly rate, pays own tax, collects tax VAT, Has business number, has own workers and third party insurance Emloyed- works for only limited employers, works for hourly rate, employer pays his tax, employer covers his workers compensation and third party insurance, employer pays super annuation for him. People often become companys as a way of advoiding and limiting liability. The cofusion as to weather self employed or employed is some times used by greedy people rip off the less informed. The gap between the haves and the have nots is ever widening , the union is broken, "guest workers under mine wages and conditions" A scab said to me once "what has ethics got to do with making money?"

Dont feel bad about prices Muckymadman , in Perth there is a labour shortage , most blokes are working in Mining , construction or are in prison.

Many thanks for the information, I gess making money is harder than spending it! The job of the employee is to get as much money as possible for the lest amount of work. The job of the employer is to get as much work as possible for the least amount of money. Well this "Sub-prime" thingy is hitting the news and it looks ugly, some how I recon prices for labour will no be going up for a while

Hi! Fellow Climbers, I live in Perth in Australia, I would like to live and work in the UK for your spring - summer. Around Here Blokes get around $1,000 AU for a 40 hour week thats wages and tax has to come out. For working hourly contract (free lance) some get $100 per hour but that type of work is usually the ball busters that the main contractor hasnt got the ability or guts to do. To go free lance you have to have your own Insurances (accident and third party) and a Australian ABN number for tax, so you are not a employee. I hope this post is helpfull. If every one including grounds men, branch dragers will post there general location and money rates it will help all of us get a better idea of the kind of money we should be demanding. I gess some bosses will not like this idea, Bosses are all ways complaning and comparing with each other about wages and it is a battle of wits as to who gets the better of who. As every $ is hard earned it pays not to under sell your labour.

Lancstree, plenty have close shaves but few will talk about it! Power to you mate, you got a lot of pluck. Now others will be more aware. The worst thing I did was fell out the top of of tree with my life line still in it. Lucky the top was tied into the main trunk! What did I learn ? Never take Hay Fever medication!

Talk is cheep it takes money to buy beer! We all have our price.