Electrician Talk - Professional Electrical Contractors Forum - Union Topics http://www.electriciantalk.com Discuss electrical union issues and topics here. If your sensitive to this topic please stay out. en Mon, 06 Sep 2010 04:18:26 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.electriciantalk.com/images/misc/rss.jpg Electrician Talk - Professional Electrical Contractors Forum - Union Topics http://www.electriciantalk.com How do I Become Apprentice in NYC? http://www.electriciantalk.com/f26/how-do-i-become-apprentice-nyc-16305/ Sat, 04 Sep 2010 01:01:05 GMT Other than getting an apprenticeship with IBEW Local 3, which is not open right now, how can I get a union apprenticeship in NYC? Is there any other... Other than getting an apprenticeship with IBEW Local 3, which is not open right now, how can I get a union apprenticeship in NYC? Is there any other way?

Will enrolling in a trade school help me at all, or is it just a waste?

I REALLY want to become an electrician, but do not know how to go about doing it other than the IBEW apprenticeship, which is not accepting applications right now.

Thanks! ]]> Union Topics Donald11 http://www.electriciantalk.com/f26/how-do-i-become-apprentice-nyc-16305/ Should there be wage classes dependent on the type of labor performed? http://www.electriciantalk.com/f26/should-there-wage-classes-dependent-type-labor-performed-16303/ Fri, 03 Sep 2010 22:50:25 GMT As I continue on I see more and more of the work becoming easier while the rates go up. I see journeyman wiremen wiring up lights the same (or... As I continue on I see more and more of the work becoming easier while the rates go up. I see journeyman wiremen wiring up lights the same (or slower) as the 1st year apprentice, what part of that deserves $73 per hour? I worked on a large rooftop solar array in which 95% of the work was humping material and pushing bolts thru holes, something that a day laborer off the street could do. I was lucky that me and my apprentice did the pipe work, the only thing that required a braincell or two.

As a JW I have used my skills and experience over the years and feel that I always earned my pay. I was always a company guy and was properly utilized. Work got slow, now I am going out on jobs from the hall, and I feel like I am robbing the contractor sometimes. Much of the work is something that an apprentice can do if you give him a good 15 minute demonstration.

It just seems like $73/hr package and $47 in the envelope is a bit much for someone moving pallets of material around all day. The union laborers do it for half of that. I did it when I worked at a supermarket as a kid for minimum wage.

I guess I am just venting. It's not that I want to take a pay cut, it's that I want to feel like I am earning my paycheck by doing something that requires the skills and experience that I use to demand my wage. ]]> Union Topics Forrester28 http://www.electriciantalk.com/f26/should-there-wage-classes-dependent-type-labor-performed-16303/ Will having an electrial motor and controls associate degree help me? http://www.electriciantalk.com/f26/will-having-electrial-motor-controls-associate-degree-help-me-16282/ Fri, 03 Sep 2010 03:54:44 GMT I am about halfway through my electrical classes, but I am considering changing majors. I enjoy the classes but am not sure if they are going to help... I am about halfway through my electrical classes, but I am considering changing majors. I enjoy the classes but am not sure if they are going to help me if I ever get into the apprenticeship. Won't I just have to retake all the same classes anyways through the union? I've already had an interview with the union I want to get in and hopefully will have a re-interview soon.

So should I learn something else in case my electrician career never takes off, or keep at it and get my degree? ]]> Union Topics smb43432 http://www.electriciantalk.com/f26/will-having-electrial-motor-controls-associate-degree-help-me-16282/ IBEW OEM rep? http://www.electriciantalk.com/f26/ibew-oem-rep-16256/ Thu, 02 Sep 2010 13:03:36 GMT ANyone ever heard of a local requiring all purchases (Switchgear for example) being required to go through an IBEW person that reps all of the OEM's? Sounds very shady to me. ]]> Union Topics Zog http://www.electriciantalk.com/f26/ibew-oem-rep-16256/ our fellow IBEW lineman video.... http://www.electriciantalk.com/f26/our-fellow-ibew-lineman-video-16243/ Thu, 02 Sep 2010 01:29:01 GMT cool vid of the work our fellow IBEW lineman do.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yA-BoTMICho cool vid of the work our fellow IBEW lineman do....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yA-BoTMICho ]]> Union Topics v277480 http://www.electriciantalk.com/f26/our-fellow-ibew-lineman-video-16243/ Local 3 Interview!!!! http://www.electriciantalk.com/f26/local-3-interview-16193/ Tue, 31 Aug 2010 20:24:36 GMT I know there are plenty of topics about interview questions already but I just wanted to know what you guys think about my background and chances I... I know there are plenty of topics about interview questions already but I just wanted to know what you guys think about my background and chances I have of getting in to the union...


I got my bachelors in business management about two years ago, and absolutely hate the jobs associated with it... i decided to make a change after i found myself sitting at my desk and envying the elevator repair men.... (it just so happens the elevator division is interviewing) in any case, what they were doing seemed so much more interesting to me...

i have not taken many classes or had many jobs that can relate to the field.. but i guess i have enough of a mechanical ability since i did i well enough on the test to get an interview....

so in the end, i know the general questions that will be asked, but i wanted to know what should i expect from the interview given my completely different background....

Thanks in advance! ]]> Union Topics Hire me please http://www.electriciantalk.com/f26/local-3-interview-16193/ Apprentice advice http://www.electriciantalk.com/f26/apprentice-advice-16173/ Mon, 30 Aug 2010 22:01:03 GMT hi everyone, im a second year apprentice out of local 477, and i was hoping for some advice from the journeyman on the board. just things that you... hi everyone, im a second year apprentice out of local 477, and i was hoping for some advice from the journeyman on the board. just things that you like and dont like when apprentices do, common mistakes and things that we might not realize our j-dubs want from us. it can be tough to ask these kinds of things on the job so i figure maybe here we can get some good knowledge from you guys. ]]> Union Topics theowl http://www.electriciantalk.com/f26/apprentice-advice-16173/ applying for two apprenticeships? http://www.electriciantalk.com/f26/applying-two-apprenticeships-16153/ Mon, 30 Aug 2010 07:36:55 GMT Thinking about going into HVAC Tech apprenticeship. Because I don't know how long the wait is for the Electrical apprenticeship. I applied for Local 332 (San Jose) last month.

How easy is it to change from one apprenticeship to another?

Because I am thinking of trying to get into HVAC apprenticeship, then switching to electrical apprenticeship when they call. ]]> Union Topics greaselightning http://www.electriciantalk.com/f26/applying-two-apprenticeships-16153/ Ranking http://www.electriciantalk.com/f26/ranking-16105/ Fri, 27 Aug 2010 20:38:24 GMT I got my interview score today, "Your interview score is 86%, out of a possible 100 points." I gave them a call and asked where I placed on the ranking list. He told me that the first 10 people were called, and I wasn't on the top 10. He also said that they may call 5 more depending on the contractors. I wonder now where does that place me? I feel I did very good on the interview and the test. I feel all bummed out now.... ]]> Union Topics ymenic http://www.electriciantalk.com/f26/ranking-16105/ Anyone from Seattle familiar with Local 46 http://www.electriciantalk.com/f26/anyone-seattle-familiar-local-46-a-16083/ Thu, 26 Aug 2010 20:38:01 GMT Anyone know how the apprentice work outlook looks like? I am the next class in (Not sure how long they will wait until they take another), they just... Anyone know how the apprentice work outlook looks like? I am the next class in (Not sure how long they will wait until they take another), they just took one for September. Just wanted to see if anyone has any inside scoop. Thanks. ]]> Union Topics cjludwick http://www.electriciantalk.com/f26/anyone-seattle-familiar-local-46-a-16083/ Check out this poster from a retail store... http://www.electriciantalk.com/f26/check-out-poster-retail-store-16024/ Tue, 24 Aug 2010 17:02:32 GMT Image: http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hCgBFKpXU9s/THP5m-g820I/AAAAAAAAAEU/0E8qxgkzQTQ/s512/IMAG0068.jpg I came across this poster at the large (very large)...
I came across this poster at the large (very large) retail store remodel I'm working on....

Thoughts?

I'm not going to mention the store name, I'm sure you can figure it out due to the color scheme.... ]]> Union Topics SparkYZ http://www.electriciantalk.com/f26/check-out-poster-retail-store-16024/ Brian John. http://www.electriciantalk.com/f26/brian-john-15916/ Fri, 20 Aug 2010 00:15:50 GMT ---Quote--- First off I believe if you are a worker generally working union is the way to go, you get the most money for your labor, you get decent...
Quote:
First off I believe if you are a worker generally working union is the way to go, you get the most money for your labor, you get decent H&W and you get portable retirement that follows you from day one to retirement.

IMO it is hard to beat working union, there are some great open shops but in general union shops are best for the masses. So I am not posting this to bash the union. The union (in my area) has some of the best and the brightest in our trade due to the consistently better wages and benefits, but the union also hides some of the biggest slackers I have ever seen.

Typically the slackers are some of the biggest mouths pushing the union and it's superior work force, training and throwing around terms like rat and scab to open shop men trying to support themselves and their families. Which is one reason I really get pissed at some union members, the un-secessary name calling and crappy attitudes.

My question in all this is, some of the die-hard union men post their superior training and skills why do they NEVER post anything in the electrical portion of this forum. You are so much better, put that knowledge to work help a brother out. Or is my experience being proved, just another loud mouth slacker?

There are many union mem on this site that post in all sections and are strong union supporters, then there are the union big mouths.
Great Post.

That's all I had to say. ]]> Union Topics slickvic277 http://www.electriciantalk.com/f26/brian-john-15916/ New CW and CE classification http://www.electriciantalk.com/f26/new-cw-ce-classification-15882/ Thu, 19 Aug 2010 00:46:21 GMT Anyone care to comment on these new classifications and the effect they will have on "A"members ? ]]> Union Topics joeyuk http://www.electriciantalk.com/f26/new-cw-ce-classification-15882/ Need advice, am I in any trouble? http://www.electriciantalk.com/f26/need-advice-am-i-any-trouble-15881/ Thu, 19 Aug 2010 00:37:46 GMT So here's the deal, I'm in the Union and just took a call recently. But I've also got all the paperwork done to run my own business including a listing in the Yellow Pages. I honestly did not think I would get a call till next year at the earliest and my unemployment was going to run out so was hedging my bets by getting a company going. Man's gotta survive. I'm not a Union signatory contractor either as I hadn't decided what to do. I've also pulled one permit and will need to do a little more work to final out that job. I'm not planning on running a business on the side while working for my new boss. Planning on putting a message that the company is still forming and to call back next year on the voice mail. Can I get in trouble? Am I doing anything wrong at this time? Do I need to talk to someone in the hall or just not worry about it? Thanks for the advice! ]]> Union Topics nitro71 http://www.electriciantalk.com/f26/need-advice-am-i-any-trouble-15881/ Should I Become Non-Union Electrician? http://www.electriciantalk.com/f26/should-i-become-non-union-electrician-15803/ Sun, 15 Aug 2010 20:55:09 GMT Hello everyone, I posted here recently about becoming a union electrician but since the unions are hard to get into, would it be worth it to go... Hello everyone,

I posted here recently about becoming a union electrician but since the unions are hard to get into, would it be worth it to go to school and become a non-union electrician as opposed to doing an apprenticeship with the union? Would I be able to get jobs? Also, what would my pay look like? I'm not looking to become rich, but I do live in a very high cost area (NYC) and need a decent salary.

I ran this idea by my father and he said it would be hard to have a good career as a non union electrician. He is a not an electriican, but he works in commercial real estate so he knows plenty of union tradesmen very well. He instead suggested I become a HVAC technician. Would this be a good idea or is it better to be a non union electrician?

Thanks for your advice! ]]> Union Topics Donald11 http://www.electriciantalk.com/f26/should-i-become-non-union-electrician-15803/