Work Boots

STM

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Feb 15, 2002
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No my guys get the cheapest boot possible because they never wear them out! They get so fouled with the shit we make that they need replaced often! With no limit on the # of pairs bought in a year! I've seen us replace boots after only a month! My need for orthotics has little to do with my boots!
 

SJ1001

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Sep 2, 2007
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Hamilton
Two tips... I dunno where he goes, but my dad is a letter carrier (he also gets a shoe benefit) and gets his custom made. Saves him a lot of back pain, but they cost a bundle.

I went with steel-toed Docs, which other people have already recommended (I'm just adding my vote). They look cool, and they saved my foot when I accidentally put a hydraulic skid-lifting-thingy down on it. Cost $120ish, but I've had them for six years now.
 

tboy

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Aug 18, 2001
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SJ1001 said:
Two tips... I dunno where he goes, but my dad is a letter carrier (he also gets a shoe benefit) and gets his custom made. Saves him a lot of back pain, but they cost a bundle.

I went with steel-toed Docs, which other people have already recommended (I'm just adding my vote). They look cool, and they saved my foot when I accidentally put a hydraulic skid-lifting-thingy down on it. Cost $120ish, but I've had them for six years now.
LOL sorry dear, but custom steel toed and shank work boots where he's looking to spend 50 bucks? LOL that's even funnier than the guy telling him to buy the cheapest possible.......

Man, I wouldn't even want to THINK about the cost. Heck, a pair of custom shoes can run 3/4 hundred.....
 

SJ1001

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Sep 2, 2007
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I did mention that they cost a bundle... Canada Post actually covers the cost of footwear though. $50 is a joke if you need work boots that you can walk in all day and you don't want to kill your legs and back.

My opinion lies with the crowd that says "spend what you need to and don't replace them for several years."
 

tboy

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Aug 18, 2001
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Not to turn this into what a worker deserves discussion but there are millions of jobs that require all kinds of apparel, equipment etc that the employee doesn't get subsidy for. I mean, many (if not all) carpenter jobs require about $5,000.00 worth of tools...

Which is why some politician (think it was Jack Layton) that promised a tax break for tradespeople who had to buy tools for their job. Of course he didn't get elected but still.....any money for anything is a bonus.....and of course Diode pointed out the cost of office clothing for a guy, I can't imagine what women spend with panty hose, makeup, the right prada bag, strappy sandals etc......
 

jughead

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Jan 17, 2004
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You truly get what you pay for cheap is only cheap. I once bought set of cheap boots that hurt my feet and showed signs of wear after 2 week, needless to say they went right out, and I had to go and buy a new pair right away.

It sure would be nice to get a custom made pair, but that's not going to happen today.

I am simply looking for a good deal or exceptional deal on decent boots.

which is the reason I posted the question.
 

El_Mariachi

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Sep 10, 2004
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Herodotus

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C'mon, admit it - you just wanted to post pictures of Brad Pitt! :D

I saw a pair like that at the College Park Winners if you can believe it. They are not work/safety boots however (tying in to original thread.)
 

l69norm

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Jan 25, 2004
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tboy said:
...COmpany has 100 workers who spend $50.00 each per year for boots. That's $5,000.00 (that isn't needed as JH said some boots last more than a year)..... So, if every worker stockpiled boots they all will have a stack of boots sitting in their garage or whatever. Now comes time to renegotiate the CBA and the company looks at the boot program and the costs....
A single accident could cost the company between $20K-$40K+, work comp hassles and not to mention a possible fine if MOL gets called in. Paying $5K for boots is cheap insurance.

If there wasn't an incentive for the guys to get new boots each year, they would continue to wear worn out ones to work. The treads wear down after a year. Have you ever walked on a wet floor with worn boots??? If there's an accident, who's fault is it ??? Essentially, the company sets the minimum standard for the boot and there's no excuse now for an employee not to meet it.
 

tboy

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l69norm said:
A single accident could cost the company between $20K-$40K+, work comp hassles and not to mention a possible fine if MOL gets called in. Paying $5K for boots is cheap insurance.

If there wasn't an incentive for the guys to get new boots each year, they would continue to wear worn out ones to work. The treads wear down after a year. Have you ever walked on a wet floor with worn boots??? If there's an accident, who's fault is it ??? Essentially, the company sets the minimum standard for the boot and there's no excuse now for an employee not to meet it.
That's all well and good but you missed my point which was: dont' abuse the perk offerred by the company just because you can. I'm all for subsidies for required equipment and yes you do have a point. But as I posted earlier, there are all kinds of jobs that have all kinds of requirements which are not subsidized.

As I stated: sales rep jobs. A number of expensive suits all in good condition can help achieve better sales, a fashionably dressed receptionist puts forth a better corporate image, carpenters with better tools can produce better work faster, etc etc.

Now if a company was really on the ball, they'd contact a specific supplier and negotiate a bulk rate for their purchases. That way the costs are reduced, and more than likely a better quality product can be obtained, and it benefits everyone.
 

fuji

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tboy said:
Now if a company was really on the ball, they'd contact a specific supplier and negotiate a bulk rate for their purchases. That way the costs are reduced, and more than likely a better quality product can be obtained, and it benefits everyone.
That would only happen in a non-union shop. The union would notice that it cost the company less and start demanding that the difference be made up somewhere else. The company wouldn't volunteer it in the first place because it would be seen as giving the union something for nothing.

The collective bargaining process makes any sort of innovative solution hard to achieve because neither side wants to reveal its true interests or issues because the other side might use it against them.
 

l69norm

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tboy said:
...As I stated: sales rep jobs. A number of expensive suits all in good condition can help achieve better sales, a fashionably dressed receptionist puts forth a better corporate image, carpenters with better tools can produce better work faster, etc etc. ..
Yes, but say your employee slips on the floor while carrying boxes, hits his head and gets seriously injured because of worn shoes. Even if the worker is totally responsible for his own boots, as far as MOL is concerned the employer is at fault. The supervisor had a duty to ensure the proper safety equipment is being worn. The individual supervisor and company directors can be fined by MOL. Fines for companies usually start at 20K$

Since there are legal repercussions around personal safety equipment, our company subsidizes work boots (must be green patch plus white tag) and safety glasses for shop workers to ensure the quality of the gear being worn. Also, our plant electricians are supplied with special gloves for working around high voltage equipment. For work in some areas (H2S and chlorine), we also supply SCBA/air packs.

I don't know why you guys are making this out as a union issue. Supervisors are also held personally liable for the safety of their crews. No supervisor is going to stick his own neck on the line so the company can save $50.

Last I heard, there is no provincial fashion police. Your company directors and you are not going to be fined because your employee decided to wear an ugly tie today.
 

Hard Idle

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Jan 15, 2005
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jughead said:
It sure would be nice to get a custom made pair, but that's not going to happen today.

I am simply looking for a good deal or exceptional deal on decent boots.

which is the reason I posted the question.
Should have visited Scarborough Walmart Superstore a few weeks ago if you needed something in a pinch.

I thought I might need some CSA shoes to pick up some quick labour work and I got the SOREL (11) on clearence for only $40 +tax. (small quantity, must have ordered them by mistake as I've never seen them before)

Don't know how durable they'd be or how they compare to high end stuff, but I hought they had more toe room than all the $59-$99 ones at WM or Zellers, and the heel cushioning was excellent (at least when new...)

Ended up never taking them out of the box - I wonder they'd accept a return now that's been nearly 4 weeks?
 
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Doctor Zoidburg

Prof. of Groinacology PhD
Aug 25, 2004
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No Dude...............

Diode said:
My My...Have we been drinking?

I put the info in and it did not register the first time, I guess after the second time both post clicked in.



To Papasmerf,

Hey dude, I do have breast like everyone else, but yo mamas breast is bigger than mine, come to think of it, yo ol mans is bigger than hers. I like to keep my appearance neat, so sue me. We all do not have to addopt the SLOB SLOBINSKY look like you did. ( Google - SLOB SLOBINSKY )
 

Insidious Von

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Sep 12, 2007
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I get the impression that Jughead is pulling our collective lariat. No self-respecting company that has to deal with WSIB, would allocate a mere $50.00 for work boots. Jughead are you working for a sweatshop?

Mister Safety Shoes
2300 Finch Avenue W. Unit 6
Toronto, ON M9M 2Y3
Phone: 416 746 3000
 
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