As a Pipefitter, one company bounced our payroll checks on a friday. It was quite a shock.

We get paid weekly, as is the norm just in case the contractor doesnt pay the payroll.

A lot of the men picked up their tools and left the job. They have been screwed before.

We were told to come in on monday to work and get our cash.

On monday they gave us our cash, catered a nice lunch with cases of cold beer, and handed out free unlimited drink coupons at the local bar for the night. Not a lot of work got done after lunch.

At the luncheon we refused to work unless the payroll was in cash for the rest of the 2 year job.

Most were late to work on Tuesday morning...

This is actually not all that uncommon.

Most union tradesman have been cheated out of their pay at some time in their career if they do it long enough.

On another job the payroll was late. We get paid at 3:00 PM whie picking up the tools for the day.

We were told to wait, the checks would be there, and there would be 2 hours overtime added to the checks.

Again a few guys picked up their tools and went home, quitting the job.

I waited with the majority of the men, but the checks didnt come.

At 5:00 pm we were told to go to the local bar down the street and wait for the checks.

The bar provided catered steak dinner and free drinks for the night.

We finally got paid at about 8:00 pm.

It was quite a night, Several fights broke out, some property damage etc. 200 intoxicated welders and pipefitters makes quite a rambunctious event.

Several black eyes (including the foreman and shop steward) and bandaged hands and arms come monday morning...fortunately no hospitalizations.

Welders and pipefitters are a rough bunch... but its a tough job.

Millennials dont know, and cant comprehend what heavy construction is all about.

It hard, back breaking work. and can be very dangerous.

We take our pay seriously.

That's some funny shit right there.

Do you think nobody under the age of 35 is working or apprenticing as a welder or pipefitter?

They're all just sitting around playing video games and updating their Facebook status, right?

Don't break your leg climbing off that high horse, boomer. I was with you up to there.

Signed, former toolmaker, fellow boomer.

I worked at Kmart during summer and Christmas breaks during college in the early 1980s. We all went to the bookkeeping office in the back and got our take-home pay, after taxes, as cash in a little envelope that was similar to a bank withdrawal envelope. I think the reasoning was that the employees would spend some of that cash by buying stuff on the way back to the front of the store on the way out.

Casino's in Nevada have been doing yhat for decades.

Hovever more recently employees get a paycheck that they can cash at the cashiers cage, but tips are usually paid in cash.

Its awsome and sad to see them gamble all their tips away each week.

I work for a guy fixing pop snack machines pays me in cash, usually 5 dollar bills, $300 - $400 a month for milage. Payroll check for regular pay.

I worked a summer on a merchant marine ship (AT&T) laying fiber optic cable.

At the end of the 6-week voyage out at sea we came back to port and everybody got paid in cash. This is over 25 years ago but they probably still do it that way.

My wife works in dentistry and occasionally will fill in on certain days at other offices for extra cash. Problem is, some dentists will stiff you because they know they can. They all talk to each other in the area, and if you go after them for stiffing you, you won't work in the area again. Not much recourse in this lovely state, unfortunately. You just have to learn who the assholes are and avoid them. Sometimes, you learn the hard way.