Well, if we look at Trade Union as models, they have training and
certifications and union wages which are required by federal and state
laws.  Training and certifications would certainly be a long term
goal, perhaps reviews of existing classes and tracking of how well
graduates do at work sites for certifications.  But a long term goal.

How about published salary documentation such as federal / state /
government employee classifications and rates?.Then set your scale for
non-union jobs at least 40% higher for job security, pension, possibly
health insurance differences.

On Fri, Feb 6, 2026 at 11:00 AM Steve Beaver
<[email protected]> wrote:
>
> We would have to put together a spreadsheet of all IBM Mainframe Skills on a 
> line item basis with a floor rate of $120/Hr W2 or $135/Hr C2C depending on 
> skill
>
> Also realizing everyone in the business would have to signon
>
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> No one said I could type with one thumb
>
> > On Feb 6, 2026, at 10:51, Charles Mills <[email protected]> wrote:
> >
> > My guess would be to contact an existing union that seemed relevant. SEIU? 
> > IBEW? CWA? OPEIU?
> >
> > https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_labor_unions_in_the_United_States
> >
> > Charles
> >
> >> On 2/6/2026 8:38 AM, Steve Beaver wrote:
> >> Ok Charles. How do we as a group in the United States start a trade union 
> >> and publish our fee schedule?
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Sent from my iPhone
> >>
> >> No one said I could type with one thumb
> >>
> >>>> On Feb 6, 2026, at 10:30, Steve Thompson <[email protected]> wrote:
> >>>
> >>> Yeah but we rejected that when the state of NJ decided that systems 
> >>> programmers should fall under Cosmetology, while about the same period 
> >>> Texas was pursuing those claiming to be engineers that had not been 
> >>> granted such a legal title. This involved IBM who had CEs (Customer 
> >>> Engineers), and the like.
> >>>
> >>> NaSPA (National association of Systems programmers- can't remember what 
> >>> the "A" stood for) was alive at that time, as was an informal group of 
> >>> computer contractors/consultants.
> >>>
> >>> No, I'm not kidding, I didn't make it up. Scott Sherer was the Pres of 
> >>> NaSPA and he retired and Radi Shurbaji (I think that was how he spelled 
> >>> it -- we worked at Boole & Babbage about the same time) manged to become 
> >>> the president and it then tried to be all things to all people and it 
> >>> collapsed. (Mainframe, Windows, networking, etc. etc.)
> >>>
> >>> RMPCP continued as a group (contractor/consultants) until Robert M. 
> >>> Pritchett died.     Sigh.
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>> On 2/6/2026 11:02 AM, Charles Mills wrote:
> >>>> The traditional solution to this problem is a trade union.
> >>>>
> >>>> Just sayin'
> >>>>
> >>>> Charles
> >>>>
> >>>>> On 2/5/2026 6:01 PM, Steve Beaver wrote:
> >>>>> Tom. My point is if we all push back to
> >>>>> the Indian recruiters for a sold month the point will get made. Most 
> >>>>> recruiters constantly call even if you are working you push back and 
> >>>>> help the community at large
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Sent from my iPhone
> >>>>>
> >>>>> No one said I could type with one thumb
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> On Feb 5, 2026, at 18:52, Tom Brennan<[email protected]> 
> >>>>>> wrote:
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> Ok, I need a job to eat, but instead of eating at $60 an hour I'll 
> >>>>>> hold out for $120.  The BMI chart says I'm just a smidge into the 
> >>>>>> overweight category, so I should be ok for a couple of weeks.
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>> On 2/5/2026 11:09 AM, Steve Beaver wrote:
> >>>>>>> If we ALL push back all at the same time recruiters and companies 
> >>>>>>> will get the point
> >>>>>>
> >
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-- 
Mike A Schwab, Springfield IL USA
Where do Forest Rangers go to get away from it all?

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