[zraffz]

A lot of these guys are driving all up and down the east coast to job sites, sometimes staying months without seeing their family. I hardly think a fair, lower middle class, living of 52 grand (base) plus benefits is ridiculous wages. It sounds like an astronomical figure when you hear $62/hour (of that $37/hour is your actual hourly pay) but now consider that the asphalt they use is roughly $60/ton; I know a ton of asphalt sounds like a lot but that will get you a few feet of one lane.

I'd also like to point out that generally these big union companies aren't all crooks - they truck in the asphalt, install it and roll it for less money than most townships or companies can purchase and truck the asphalt for (this is no joke). This is why you do not see towns or small companies pave long roads.