guvnor

Just want to make sure I know what im getting into before I apply for apprenticeship.

Im a bit confused on how the union works. Once you are in the union, how exactly do you find work? If somebody could explain how the system exactly works I would appreciated it.

Im also curious to what an average workday is like. Things like what time you show up for work in he morning, how far you have to commute to job sites, etc.

And say I wanted to move to another part of the country, is it possible to transfer to another union?

Thanks!

Celtic

You do not find work...the hall [the union does]...the hall is a referral service.
Here's how it works:
You go to a job...for whatever reason [job's done, you suck, whatever]...your employment is terminated.
You head to the hall and sign "the out of work book".
As jobs become available, the jobs are offered to the people that signed the book before you....they go off to a job, and you move up a few places.
Now you are the head of the list and jobs are offered to you, while guys who have been recently terminated collect unemployment [just as you did when you first signed the book].

There is also a possibility of "getting on steady".
this means the company simply shuffles you from job-to-job...until there is no work or someone decides you suck.
It IS possible to work for one outfit for your entire career.


There a few variables that need to be considered:
1 - Where do you live
2 - What local are you trying for

Living in Mahwah, NJ and applying to LU 400 [Wall, NJ]...will guarantee a long commute.
Living in Belvidere, NJ and applying to LU 102 [Paterson] ..could land you at Bridgewater or the refineries by the Turnpike in Elizabeth.

Things for you to consider:
- Where is the bulk of the work in a given locals "territory"
- Where do you live

Clearly the "How far?' question cannot be answered accurately....you can minimize commute time by considering the above two items....but the work is where the work is.

Here is a map of the NJ locals and their "territory":
http://www.ibew.org/IBEW/directory/maps/NJ-Outside.pdf


Work starts AT 7:00AM....that means by the gangbox, ready to go...not tying your boots or yapping on the phone to someone.
Break is at 9:00AM - 9:15AM.
Lunch is noon - 12:30PM
Clean-up is at 3:10PM
Offsite by 3:25PM


This is a general guideline...but the job sometimes dictates the times [2nd or 3rd shift; deliveries during breaks; testing equipment; roach coach is late;etc]...it happens.

Other times the foreman or general will have his own "schedule"....
7:00 at the gangbox....coffee and smokes until 7:15'ish
Break 8:45 - 9:30
Lunch 11:30 - ?:??
Cleanup...could be early as 2:30
Leave 3:00PM


For a new guy...expect the first option.


Probably not.
It's not unheard of, but why would a different local even want you?
..and why would want a drop in pay?
NJ is pretty much at the top of the charts paywise [ although there are exceptions]....so unless you have your sights set on San Francisco...where? ...that would pay as well?....that would have the volume of work [most of] NJ typically has?

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e57

SF turns away people by the 10's of thousands when thier 100 man class starts.... You had better know someone to walk you in... Even then, only a percentage of those make it all the way from what I understand. You could test in - but be limited to Resi, and on one of thier multi-tiered books - only a few of which you are allowed to sign in the first place. Or be hired in, but chance there are slim... Here - and all locals are different - it is a "brotherhood" not a union.

guvnor

Thanks for the help!

Im in essex county so im thinking to apply to either 102 or 164.

Heres a variation on the relocation question. Could I work for NJ local 102 while living in eastern PA? Or do you have to be a nj resident to work in a nj local? Im looking to move out of jersey at some point in the future.

Bendezium

I'm also very confused about the relocation and switching locals question. I've heard a lot of mixed experiences and understandings. I'd love more comments on this issue.

I moved to San Diego from Philadelphia, where all my family and friends are, almost 2 years ago and have been laid off not too long ago. I applied to local 569 in San Diego, the aptitude test date is coming up in October. The main reason I haven't migrated back to Philadelphia is because of my girlfriend I met here in SD. If I get accepted and complete an apprenticeship here in San Diego, I may at some point like to move back to the area where I was born and raised, which coincidentally also has a much cheaper cost of living and significantly higher minimum pay. It seems like this may not be as easy as I was hoping for.

regieleeroth

the scenario you speak of happens, but it's rare. Your apprenticeship director wants to turn out quality help for SAN DIEGO'S area for SAN DIEGO'S contractors to help garner SAN DIEGO'S market share and support SAN DIEGO'S retireees. Philly took in what it needed during the same time frame for the same reasons. It's a big-time favor, (switching apprenticeship schools) i would think, as I have only seen it happen once in 8 years. Bite the bullet and chill in sunny San Diego for 5 years, get your ticket and travel if you want later. But the smart method is just move where you're gonna be 1st, then apply... thus avoiding a whole host of issues. Airplanes go everywhere for the family and friend stuff. Good luck on the aptitude test.

Celtic

Ask the business agents how long the wait for work is....and how long this wait has been sustained...


102's territory stretches to Easton, Pa...check the map I linked to in the other post.


"Technically" you are required to live within the confines of a locals "territory".

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brian john

Not here our guys come from several other locals jurisdictions, though a few years back this changed some when the local took over some other locals.

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I void warranty's

Bendezium

Thanks regie. I'm sure I could ride out the apprenticeship in Sunny San Diego if it were offered to me. Philadelphia has some brutal winters and summers that I wouldn't mind skipping out on for a few more years :P I'm more concerned about my ability to move and work elsewhere permanently after an apprenticeship is completed.

I know the smart method is to move home first but the apprenticeship would start more than half a year sooner in SD, by my estimate. I'm having trouble finding work and am getting crazy restless and bored. Plus I know there are no guarantees so I might as well try one, then the other if I can.

miller_elex

Dude, I would never bank on getting into the apprenticeship. In times like these, the quantity of apprentices taken into the program decreases, the quality of applicants increases, and the quantity of applicants increases. The algebra does not look good. I am not in your shoes, and I don't know what makes you such a desireable applicant, but if I was in a similar situation, I would probably be going down to the temp labor pool and taking work as a laborer. If you don't have prison tats, meth mouth, and speak english as a first language, you will stand out. I am making a bad name for myself with the union crowd by telling you this, but in the end, it will make you a better electrician.

Bendezium

I couldn't agree more, I am looking for other work and temp would be ideal. What do you mrean by "temp labor pool"? If it's what I'm thinking of, I used to pass a 7/11 on my way to my last job and people would wait there in the mornings for day jobs. I'm sure I would stand out there but never figured it would be as a "desirable" employee since there is so much cheap labor around being 30 minutes from the border. This world is pretty new to me. I haven't done labor work since college.

I guess it may seem I'm banking on it, I'm just excited and test time is closing in. I've always been good at math and can keep my composure during interviews so just feel I have as good a chance as anyone. Plus no prison tattoos or meth :P

RUSSIAN

Once you turn out you can go anywhere you want as a traveler, but changing(jamming) a ticket can be very difficult, especially in a down economy

Celtic

So working as a laborer will make one a better electrician?

IMHO, every electrician should be offended by your statement.

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guvnor

Do you know if all the jersey locals go by this rule? If thats the case then I might have to relocate first then apply at whichever local I end up near in a new state. I really want to get out of jersey. Lived here my whole life and its a great state but taxes and overcrowding are becoming unbelievable.

Celtic

Probably....IMHO, it's boiler plate language here ~ why would one or two locals agree to this and the remaining 4 not? ....but not having seen/read some of the other locals agreements...it's stands as "my opinion".

Remember it's a "technicality"

Just follow my taillights

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Frasbee

Ew, I can't stand Jersey.

Your roads are weird.

And I'd rather pump my own gas.

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miller_elex

Sorry princess, don't get your hands dirty.

brian john

That has been my goal since my first year in the trade.

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I void warranty's

Celtic

I get plenty dirty...but that has almost as much to do with being a laborer as does a brain surgeon.


So please....try and explain just how being a laborer makes one a better electrician [or brain surgeon for that matter].....I only read minds on the weekends.

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miller_elex

I was thinking more along the lines of a carpenter's helper type laborer, than the guy who cleans all the trash up. Setting forms, learning some layout, helping out on the underground, that is all good stuff to learn.