People with mortgages and families have been forced to work for less so the studios can turn a bigger profit. When the new season started a few weeks earlier most everyone had experienced a pay cut. There was almost a mutiny on the lot and the banner was removed the next day. This takes in no account for cost of living in your area, or size of the production you are working on. In the end, the producers make more and we make less.
Grips do most of rigging and work alot with chain in the studios.
4 of the 7 regulars on my crew have been Key Grips. When this show ends I will probably have to work on the gang for a while. I don't know. If I like what I've done, the D.P. is happy, and the check clears, then I feel good about my job. Not really, though I do have some.