Union or Non union - Page 2 - Electrician Talk - Professional Electrical Contractors Forum

jrannis · 03-27-2009, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speedy Petey

It had better be.

There are already way too many threads with this union/non-union argument. At this point this thread is pointless and redundant.

The second it gets out of hand I (or someone else) am pulling the plug.

It would be nice if that Chicago thread was closed.

william1978 · 03-27-2009, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawgs

Hey I just made senior member

Frasbee · 03-27-2009, 11:01 PM

A lot of the electricians and foreman I know were trained Union and quit later.

Hell, I'm considering doing the same thing once I decide where I don't mind spending another 4 years.

steelersman · 03-27-2009, 11:39 PM

I've been union now for the past 7 years. Before that I did mostly non union residential. I love the pay and benefits of the union. When I joined the union back in 2002 my pay rate doubled! I was loving it. Actually I am still loving it! I miss wiring houses though sometimes. It's a nice change of pace. I respect non union also. I understand that we all have to work.

brian john · 03-28-2009, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steelersman

It's all residential though, so I'm not taking any work away from the unions that's for sure.

Do not tell Red that from DC Electric almost all residential and Union.

jrannis · 03-28-2009, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frasbee

A lot of the electricians and foreman I know were trained Union and quit later.

Hell, I'm considering doing the same thing once I decide where I don't mind spending another 4 years.

I took the advise of an older electrician when I first got into the trade.
He told me to do whatever it took to keep my pension paid up and not to have a non-qualifying year.
Its 25 years later and I have had many opportunities to make a little more money without benefits.
I kept the course and will continue to do the same.
Our family health insurance is paid for by the contractor, its about $875 or so per month.
Another $400 or so goes into my pension account for disability or retirement.
The entire cost for an electrician with benefits here is just about $35 per hour.

oldman · 03-28-2009, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrannis

It would be nice if that Chicago thread was closed.

yeah, dissenting views must be quieted...

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrannis

I took the advise of an older electrician when I first got into the trade.
He told me to do whatever it took to keep my pension paid up and not to have a non-qualifying year.
Its 25 years later and I have had many opportunities to make a little more money without benefits.
I kept the course and will continue to do the same.
Our family health insurance is paid for by the contractor, its about $875 or so per month.
Another $400 or so goes into my pension account for disability or retirement.
The entire cost for an electrician with benefits here is just about $35 per hour.

up here, the entire cost for an A journeyman is $75/hr...heck, my non union guys are at $50/hr total package.....

steelersman · 03-28-2009, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brian john

Do not tell Red that from DC Electric almost all residential and Union.

I'm sure he's doing all work in DC if he can afford to charge enough money to pay his employees union scale, and I refuse to go into DC or Maryland. I can't stand either state. I stay in VA and that's it, besides that's the only state I have a license in. I absolutely know for a fact that I'm not taking any work away from the union.

oldman · 03-28-2009, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steelersman

I'm sure he's doing all work in DC if he can afford to charge enough money to pay his employees union scale, and I refuse to go into DC or Maryland. I can't stand either state. I stay in VA and that's it, besides that's the only state I have a license in. I absolutely know for a fact that I'm not taking any work away from the union.

What a myopic view. Congrats on being part of the problem.

steelersman · 03-28-2009, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldman

What a myopic view. Congrats on being part of the problem.

thanks. Would you mind explaining please?

480sparky · 03-28-2009, 09:43 AM

oldman · 03-28-2009, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steelersman

thanks. Would you mind explaining please?

You take work from legitimate contractors. They go after bigger work, and take it from union contractors. More out of work union electricians. One big circle. I know, I'm wrong. So be it.

steelersman · 03-28-2009, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldman

You take work from legitimate contractors. They go after bigger work, and take it from union contractors. More out of work union electricians. One big circle. I know, I'm wrong. So be it.

I have yet to see a union contractor roughing in a single family residence. It just doesn't happen. I only do small residential. Service calls, troubleshooting, add a few circuits, generators, recessed lights, fans etc. I'm not taking work away from any union contractors.

oldman · 03-28-2009, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steelersman

I have yet to see a union contractor roughing in a single family residence. It just doesn't happen. I only do small residential. Service calls, troubleshooting, add a few circuits, generators, recessed lights, fans etc. I'm not taking work away from any union contractors.

Reading comprehension is a lost art in this country. Carry on.

steelersman · 03-28-2009, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldman

Reading comprehension is a lost art in this country. Carry on.

Ok, the residential contractors that don't get to do the small jobs that I do, aren't bidding on large commercial jobs, getting them, and taking work from the union contractors. Does that address the situation better for you oldman? So is it unfair for someone to work more than 40 hours in a week, because they are taking work away from someone else? Is it unfair for someone to work more than 1 job, especially since unemployment has gotten worse? You sound very bitter. Sorry about your situation, whatever it may be that makes you feel this way.

480sparky · 03-28-2009, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steelersman

I have yet to see a union contractor roughing in a single family residence. It just doesn't happen. I only do small residential. Service calls, troubleshooting, add a few circuits, generators, recessed lights, fans etc. I'm not taking work away from any union contractors.

Just because you don't see it doesn't mean it doesn't happen.

Baker Electric, one of the biggest union ECs in my area, does resi.

As well as service calls....

And Ihave yet to see one of their trucks at a dwelling.

steelersman · 03-28-2009, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 480sparky

Just because you don't see it doesn't mean it doesn't happen.

Baker Electric, one of the biggest union ECs in my area, does resi.

As well as service calls....

And Ihave yet to see one of their trucks at a dwelling.

Show me one in my neck of the woods.

480sparky · 03-28-2009, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steelersman

Show me one in my neck of the woods.

I don't live or work in your neck of the woods, so I can't speak for the trades there. I would have no idea who the ECs are there, which ones are union or not, what they do.........

oldman · 03-28-2009, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steelersman

Ok, the residential contractors that don't get to do the small jobs that I do, aren't bidding on large commercial jobs, getting them, and taking work from the union contractors. Does that address the situation better for you oldman? So is it unfair for someone to work more than 40 hours in a week, because they are taking work away from someone else? Is it unfair for someone to work more than 1 job, especially since unemployment has gotten worse? You sound very bitter. Sorry about your situation, whatever it may be that makes you feel this way.

Nice attempt. Forsest....trees....ah never mind. It's too much for you, I understand.

steelersman · 03-28-2009, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldman

Nice attempt. Forsest....trees....ah never mind. It's too much for you, I understand.

If being condescending makes you feel better then I'm fine with that. I'm not in the mood to respond with the same tone. You have your ideas and opinions and I have mine. Take care.