How many guys warming the bench? - Electrician Talk - Professional Electrical Contractors Forum

cdnelectrician · 12-12-2009, 10:31 PM

I was just curious as to how many guys are sitting on the bench in all the various locals?

BryanMD · 12-12-2009, 10:49 PM

Bench?
Go for the gusto!

cdnelectrician · 12-12-2009, 10:51 PM

Hahaha yea true enough!

knowshorts · 12-12-2009, 11:15 PM

looks like only two.

cdnelectrician · 12-12-2009, 11:21 PM

Lmao

Sparky480 · 12-12-2009, 11:26 PM

280 in local 363

ibuzzard · 12-13-2009, 12:20 AM

I'm heading back overseas in about three weeks,this time to Afghanistan.Steve

**480sparky** · 12-13-2009, 09:02 AM

Huh?

What's this?

I don't understand!

Isn't the union supposed to do whatever it takes to keep their members working at least 40 hours a week?!?! Geez, it seems like every pro-union electrician likes to brag about how great and wonderful and fantastic being in the IBEW is.

And now it appears they can't even keep everyone busy?

Seems to me all the suit-and-tie management types ought to step down and let the rank-and-file field personel take their place so they have a job and can continue to make their $349/hour pay (with all the attendant out-of-this-world bennies) to support their families.

Looks like if you're an IBEW member, if you're the low man on the totem pole, you're the first to get let go. Unlike non-union shops, where if you're the low man on the totem pole, you're the first to get let go.

spdone · 12-13-2009, 09:19 AM

60 or so local 527 here in Galveston County,TX

Charlie K · 12-13-2009, 10:52 AM

Last time I checked about 240 in my local. Thats a little under 10%. I have seen it a lot worse. We have several jobs that will be calling for men soon.

Charlie

134fisherman · 12-16-2009, 04:39 AM

2452.Hall says out of work 18 months or more

Bring back early retirement!

BryanMD · 12-16-2009, 10:52 AM

Some good news on the employment front:

BDB · 12-16-2009, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 480sparky

Huh?

And now it appears they can't even keep everyone busy?

Not here, I do not bid alot of jobs because I know the hall can not get me any men.

boulengerina · 12-16-2009, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 480sparky

Huh?

What's this?

I don't understand!

Isn't the union supposed to do whatever it takes to keep their members working at least 40 hours a week?!?! Geez, it seems like every pro-union electrician likes to brag about how great and wonderful and fantastic being in the IBEW is.

And now it appears they can't even keep everyone busy?

Seems to me all the suit-and-tie management types ought to step down and let the rank-and-file field personel take their place so they have a job and can continue to make their $349/hour pay (with all the attendant out-of-this-world bennies) to support their families.

Looks like if you're an IBEW member, if you're the low man on the totem pole, you're the first to get let go. Unlike non-union shops, where if you're the low man on the totem pole, you're the first to get let go.

The unions can't fix a fxxxed-up economy. Some Locals are doing everything they can to keep their members busy. Here in Charlotte, NC, it's the non-Union guys that are wilting on the vine, as many open shops have gone under... even some very big ones.

The IBEW here is getting stronger and stronger, and we have collectively grown throughout this recession. Every member that wants a job has one, and we have more calls coming in. We are truly blessed, and we do not take it for granted.

jessa82 · 12-16-2009, 03:57 PM

This is my first post. Found this website last week and have been reading a lot of the past stuff.
Local 6 (san francisco) has 344 journeymen and 123 apprentices (including me) out of work, last I heard.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 480sparky

Seems to me all the suit-and-tie management types ought to step down and let the rank-and-file field personel take their place so they have a job and can continue to make their $349/hour pay (with all the attendant out-of-this-world bennies) to support their families.

Looks like if you're an IBEW member, if you're the low man on the totem pole, you're the first to get let go. Unlike non-union shops, where if you're the low man on the totem pole, you're the first to get let go.

Suit-and-tie types aren't part of the IBEW from what I've seen. Are the contractors' office employees union where you are?

From what I've seen so far, three years into my apprenticeship, it's not the low man on the pole who goes first. I've seen guys who've been at the same shop for years get laid off before some younger/newer guys. And we apprentices are on a whole different system right now. To share the small amount of work currently happening, we are on a rotating layoff system. Basically taking turns working (and then being unemployed) so everyone can keep getting some work experience and hours toward license. Right now it's about 2 months on, 2 months off.

brian john · 12-16-2009, 04:44 PM

I hate the thought that anyone that wants to work is off, much less at this time of year. A friend of mine was let go last week and another guy I know may not have a job after the first of the year.

Charlie K · 12-16-2009, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brian john

I hate the thought that anyone that wants to work is off, much less at this time of year. A friend of mine was let go last week and another guy I know may not have a job after the first of the year.

Its a sign of the times. Work in my area should pick up a little in the spring. More BRAC work at Ft. Meade and Aberdeen. We also have a few jobs in the DC area getting ready to ramp up.

Charlie

miller_elex · 12-16-2009, 05:20 PM

This kind of work is seasonal. Ups and downs with the time of year.

There are economic trends, fluctuating ups and downs with the years.

People who seek this kind of work need to understand that. There is no guarantee of 40 hours.

chenley · 12-16-2009, 07:56 PM

Local 816 has 63 on book 1 and 140 on book 2. Book 1 status is slow and book 2 status is not at all.

I'm not union just have a few friends in the union. They were always telling me how good the union is, not lately though. One has been working with me, when I can use him and picking up side jobs just to feed his family.

running dummy · 12-18-2009, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jessa82

This is my first post. Found this website last week and have been reading a lot of the past stuff.
Local 6 (san francisco) has 344 journeymen and 123 apprentices (including me) out of work, last I heard.

Suit-and-tie types aren't part of the IBEW from what I've seen. Are the contractors' office employees union where you are?

From what I've seen so far, three years into my apprenticeship, it's not the low man on the pole who goes first. I've seen guys who've been at the same shop for years get laid off before some younger/newer guys. And we apprentices are on a whole different system right now. To share the small amount of work currently happening, we are on a rotating layoff system. Basically taking turns working (and then being unemployed) so everyone can keep getting some work experience and hours toward license. Right now it's about 2 months on, 2 months off.

123 apprentices out???? thats crazy!

Local 150 (Lake county, IL) has over 260 on Book 1