Frank Stronach’s words as worthy as those of a high-ranking professor

By Lethbridge Herald on April 23, 2022.

Editor:                                                             

Over the months to date, the Herald has provided a forum for  U of L’s intelligentsia, past and present, claiming they’re all “underpaid”, “overworked” “underappreciated”, “treated unfairly” and more. In a letter rebutting another under my byline, a U of L prof claims “ no full time facility member works just a 40-hour, five day week.”  If true (doubtful) it’s tragic that anyone would willingly select a career yielding such unsatisfactory compensation or recognition. 

Add the following statement from the “highest rank in the facility” prof of psychology, “There are few positions in which 10 to 12 years of university studies (unpaid time) and 10+ years of working in the industry would only equate to $110,000,”

What a statement like that suggests to me is – what happened – bad choice in careers – what?  I’m a tradesman as proud as any “high ranking” professor. I achieved “highest rank” in my trade in four years. Measuring worthiness, progress, job satisfaction and so on against the scenario above, few professors ever approached me, or my fellow tradesmen in wages, quality of life, or much else. And bonus – through 40 years of unremitting dedication to the craft, I do not recall feeling, under-appreciated, underpaid, under the gun or anything else. I just packed the lunch pail and toddled off to work – my reward (no union held my hand), a joyful fully retired guy in my 50’s – it was so easy.

Recently, Frank Stronach, toolmaker, owner of one of Canada’s largest global companies – Magna International lamented “for the past several decades, we’ve been producing far to many social scientists and to few plumbers and electricians” “The plain truth is, as a society we haven’t done a very good job preparing young Canadians for good-paying careers in the skilled trades”

I’m unaware of a (non-union) tradesman lacking job security earning the equivalent of our “high ranking” suit at the U of L. 

Dr. Hilda Neatby, professor of history, author of “So little for the mind” is quoted: “Canadian schools are less and less concerned with intellectual achievement, they encourage a dislike for hard work.” That statement is as poignant today as when it was when delivered decades ago. Frank Stronach, whose words are as worthy as any “high ranking” bellyacher, would agree.

A.W. Shier

Lethbridge