Thank you to the editors of https://classandcapital.substack.com/ for allowing me to adapt their renewable industry questionnaire for the Brisbane construction industry. Make sure to check out their project and substack for more on workers inquiry.
Here is a questionnaire for the Brisbane construction industry. It is the first step in understanding the technical and social class composition of our industry. This process will help us come to the political composition of our industry and the broader working class. This is essential to understanding what the best course of action is and the political and social possibilities of the current moment.
Here is a link to the questionnaire file:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1sjePadkR3K02Wii1Gn1_AC1bJYeb3ZW9
https://whichsideareyouon.link
Please answer as many questions as you can and send the answers to the following email: wkpr1969@proton.me
- What sector of construction do you work in? (ie commercial, civil, residential)
- What is your job? (tradesman, labourer etc)
- How long have you worked in the industry?
- How old are you? Where are you from?
- What did you do before your current job?
- Have you worked for other companies in the industry?
- Are you directly employed? Or do you work through an agency or subcontractor?
- How many people do you work with?
- What are the ratios of labourer-apprentice-qualified tradie at your company?
- What does your normal work day look like?
- How do you feel about your work? Is it rewarding, fun, stressful, long, repetitive or interesting?
- Do you find your job meaningful? What do you like/dislike about it?
- Does your job provide a good quality of life? Why or why not?
- Do you think your pay and conditions are fair?
- Does your company provide all the tools and materials you need to do the job?
- Are there other things your company should provide but doesn’t? Do you cover them yourself? For example do you use your own car, pay for fuel out of pocket, use your own mobile phones etc.
- How much does your job require digital administration? Do you do this on your own devices or company provided ones? Such as a laptop, ipad, or phone. Do you find yourself doing this work ‘out of hours’?
- Do you think your company makes much profit? Is that reflected in your pay and conditions?
- Do conflicts ever come up at work? Do you and your colleagues talk about them? How are they resolved?
- What does the management chain at your work look like?
- Who deals with health and safety in your workplace?
- Are you a union member?
- Do you worry about your trade being protected? Does automation or the use of unskilled labour mean less hours or a lower quality of work?
- Does your company provide education and training?
- Have you gained any qualifications from working in Construction?
- Do you think you’ve gained skills that will translate into other industries?
- Do you see yourself continuing in your role for a long time?
- Have you worked interstate since working in the construction sector? Did you notice anything significantly different?
- How does working in construction compare to say, logistics, or at the Port of Brisbane?
- Do you think there are ways your job could be done more efficiently?
- Do you think the way the industry is organised makes sense? What needs to be invested in? What needs to change?
- How does the current cost of living crisis impact on your financial situation?
- Do you rent or own your home? How does your rent or mortgage repayments impact on your financial situation?
- OPTIONAL: If you’re comfortable with us using your name or any other personal details about where you work feel free to enter them here.
- OPTIONAL: Please leave any other feedback or thoughts!