Where's all the union work? - Page 11 - Electrician Talk - Professional Electrical Contractors Forum

brian john · 05-18-2012, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brother Noah

.

Where have you been?

TOO_SL:IM · 05-19-2012, 09:20 PM

There seems to be a lot of work out there, lots of fed monies going out to local military bases, plus small towns are getting some good grant money. Just need to keep a sharp pencil. Eastside of 191 looks good

slmraf1 · 05-20-2012, 12:44 AM

Thanks for the info. I have the material to study for the CA state test and hopefully will be able to take it, in the very near future. Any help with that,would be greatly appreciated. I have been with Local 640, in Phx for 12yrs and unfortunately, this local is very weak and doesn't do alot to back their workers. Work is very, very sporadic, in fact in the 12yrs, I have not worked more than 6-9 months out of each yr and that is working for multiple contractors each yr. One year, I worked for 13 different ones?!?!? Hell to do my taxes that year!

Brother Noah · 05-20-2012, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slmraf1

Thanks for the info. I have the material to study for the CA state test and hopefully will be able to take it, in the very near future. Any help with that,would be greatly appreciated. I have been with Local 640, in Phx for 12yrs and unfortunately, this local is very weak and doesn't do alot to back their workers. Work is very, very sporadic, in fact in the 12yrs, I have not worked more than 6-9 months out of each yr and that is working for multiple contractors each yr. One year, I worked for 13 different ones?!?!? Hell to do my taxes that year!

In the couple three years I have plied the trade I have willingly traveled our great country.I do understand not all desire and or can not be away from the security of family and homestead.My view on this is I chose construction as a way of life, we get our job, work for wages and agree to complete a project, get laid off then repeat the cycle.Along the way I have seen some of the most admired attractions in the world, worked and lived where most people save all year long to go for a week long vacation, and most of all have been blessed to meet some very wonderful people in my travels. Most of my 30 years now I have only worked partial years as well, yet my family lived fairly well off with a few struggles along the way(you know like most people)
So if you can not or do not want to leave your area, I suggest checking into maintenance work or maybe even run for your locals BM position to help put things in order. You earned your yellow ticket and that gives you the right to work union.

cowboyznindianz · 05-20-2012, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brother Noah

In the couple three years I have plied the trade I have willingly traveled our great country.I do understand not all desire and or can not be away from the security of family and homestead.My view on this is I chose construction as a way of life, we get our job, work for wages and agree to complete a project, get laid off then repeat the cycle.Along the way I have seen some of the most admired attractions in the world, worked and lived where most people save all year long to go for a week long vacation, and most of all have been blessed to meet some very wonderful people in my travels. Most of my 30 years now I have only worked partial years as well, yet my family lived fairly well off with a few struggles along the way(you know like most people)
So if you can not or do not want to leave your area, I suggest checking into maintenance work or maybe even run for your locals BM position to help put things in order. You earned your yellow ticket and that gives you the right to work union.

Very well said Brother Noah....

jimmy21 · 06-02-2012, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jordan_paul

How could my banking hours be screwing you, or the rest of the "brothers?" It's one of the stupidest bylaws in that book.

It is all about me. If I was laid off, how many 'brothers" would step up and make my truck payments? I have to look out for number one. So if that means being buddies with the boss, having the best tools, working fast, not complaining like you are, showing up early, staying a few minutes late than I'll do it.

Why should I take time off for vacation? If I wanted to take my vacation pay and work right through the year whats so bad about that? And I have moved my vacation time when it dosen't mesh with my companies schedule. For instance I asked for a week off to go up to my families cabin. My boss said he had a big job comming up and that he really needs my help on it. That wasn't a problem, I worked that week and took my week off later on.

Alot of time I can't bill myself out for time/half or double time. If job one lasts 5 hours, and job two lasts 5.5 hours, I "should get" 2.5 hours of OT right? My boss can't charge customer #2 the OT rate because we were only there for 5.5 hours. If we took the hard line and said we had to have the OT my boss would loose money. If he looses money too many times he will go tits up. If he goes tits up then 6 guys will be out of work. How is that working in anyones favor?

Stabbing ourselves in the back IS taking the hardline, that's why we have such crappy market share right now. If we actually worked with the people who puts food on our tables we would be farther ahead then we are now. The race to the bottom started when "our brothers" decided to screw over the companies we work for.

Does it make you mad that I pay 3 dollars a week into a "shop fund" with the boss and other guys? Keep in mind that the owner of my company manages this money too

. And that I use my personal cell phone for work related phone calls? And that the odd time I have put a a bit of material in my truck as I was on my way to a job that was close to my house? The problem with YOU union brothers is that you just want, want, want and take, take, take. Working for anyone in any industry is a give and take relationship.

Like I said before, if you wanted to work you would find it. I asked a few guys I work with what is up with a J-Man that has only worked 8 months in a 4 year period. They all said that he is eaither lazy or useless, there is work out there, sometimes you have to travel for it. Saying there's no where to live near where the work is, is a poor excuse.

It seems to me that only one side is doing the giving and one is doing all the taking. I bet if you got under your bosses desk it would help him relieve stress and he would be able to get you guys more work. Where do you draw the line?

Does your boss sugar coat it or does he come right out and say "I need you to take next week off and instead of letting you collect unemployment, ill just pay you money I already owe you and I'm only going to pay you 2/3 of what I owe you". ???

Blay · 06-25-2012, 05:16 PM

Lightning rod, the reason you probably don't get calls has got to be due to your bad attitude. Though we do put our names on the book, if none of the contractors want to hire you your out of luck. I would start with working on that.

Echo Four Tango · 07-04-2012, 02:37 AM

Local 440, Riverside Ca. has call going into book 2 about every other day.

Brother Noah · 07-04-2012, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Echo Four Tango

Local 440, Riverside Ca. has call going into book 2 about every other day.

440 has been putting out on book II along with 639,595,477,479. There are available jobs for those that are willing to go that extra mile and spend the extra time searching for a better way of life for their family.

D-Bo · 07-04-2012, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brother Noah

440 has been putting out on book II along with 639,595,477,479. There are available jobs for those that are willing to go that extra mile and spend the extra time searching for a better way of life for their family.

are you implying dragging the innocent wife and kids around the country with you while you follow the work is a better way of life? that line is just getting old bud

brian john · 07-04-2012, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D-Bo

are you implying dragging the innocent wife and kids around the country with you while you follow the work is a better way of life? that line is just getting old bud

It does beat unemployment. Man since the beginning of time has followed the seasons, the herds and for some time the jobs. Heck California is full of those following the gold in 1849.

D-Bo · 07-04-2012, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brian john

It does beat unemployment. Man since the beginning of time has followed the seasons, the herds and for some time the jobs. Heck California is full of those following the gold in 1849.

i can follow that yeah. i think for some a better way of life would be a steady job and a happy family, and for others its a big check and a benefits package. everyone finds satisfaction in their own way

Brother Noah · 07-05-2012, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D-Bo

are you implying dragging the innocent wife and kids around the country with you while you follow the work is a better way of life? that line is just getting old bud

Actually what I posted was if YOU want something go out and work for it. Don't sit back and wait for others to make it happen for YOU. If this life does not suit YOU then stay were you are make do with what YOU have. I have already posted before that the life I lead is not for every one but I do advocate taking YOUR life into your own hands (perils and all) instead of putting off for tomorrow what should be done today( YOU get what you earn in life.)By the way I believe this thread was started by someone looking to find work out there on the road???
So are you implying a person has to drag their wife and kids on the road in order to work? Or maybe they should stay home and collect government assistance???
I have never had to take my family on the road with me but they have followed for some awesome vacations.

slickvic277 · 07-05-2012, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brother Noah

Actually what I posted was if YOU want something go out and work for it. Don't sit back and wait for others to make it happen for YOU. If this life does not suit YOU then stay were you are make do with what YOU have. I have already posted before that the life I lead is not for every one but I do advocate taking YOUR life into your own hands (perils and all) instead of putting off for tomorrow what should be done today( YOU get what you earn in life.)By the way I believe this thread was started by someone looking to find work out there on the road???
So are you implying a person has to drag their wife and kids on the road in order to work? Or maybe they should stay home and collect government assistance???
I have never had to take my family on the road with me but they have followed for some awesome vacations.

Wow.
Punctuation. Clear stream of thought. This is actually a really good post.

tbears · 07-19-2012, 03:25 PM

BESCO LTD is looking for a service truck driver. Must be a journeyman electrician, with 5-10 years service truck experience. We do HVAC Controls, APC UPS maintenance along with other service type calls. Candidate will be on call at least one week each month. Some evening and weekend work should be expected. Also we are only looking for electricians well versed in the NEC. Bermuda electrical is based on NEC 2011.
We are basically looking for a jack of all trades but a master of none. BESCO will do anything, We need a very mechanically inclined, electrician, who could replace a pump, work on a condenser unit. Fix a jack at the shop, just ready to take on anything thrown his way, figure it out and excel at it. We are located in Hamilton Bermuda.
Interested parties should contact Todd Bears at tbears@besco.bm
On another note, I'm a 32 year member of the IBEW LU #26 Card # D858921, this is a no bulls**t offer.

tbears · 07-19-2012, 03:32 PM

Dragging the wife and kids around.... My wife has been drug from one end of the country to the other and back, so many times she can't count them, lived in 28 different states since 1991. Now she is in a foreign country, but as she says, being married to me has kept her life interesting! Thing of it is she wouldn't have it any other way. She is usually ready to hit the road before me. But it is a way of life, are you making a living or building a dying. We will never have to ask our selves what if.....

zawala · 08-01-2012, 08:31 PM

jp. The only person you're screwing over by banking hours and not charging O.T. is yourself. With that being said i agree that the relationship between a worker and an employer has to be give and take. like you said if your boss loses money to often no one will benefit. Unoin or non the game is still the same everyone needs to make money and the ones who can make a contractor the most with the least amount of "issues" tend to stay employed longer.I' m not sure how your Halls work but mine doesn't cut me a check my employer does. You have to pick the battles you fight( as far as rules go). It's Not always right but it is what it is. As for LR. I think Gary/ Hammond is still rolling guys out on book two. Good money to.

sparky970 · 08-01-2012, 09:39 PM

Not sure about other contractors on the West coast, but we'll be hiring over 100 people by the first of the year.

cl219um · 08-20-2012, 09:36 PM

if you two would stop argueing for a second, i would like to add some input.yes. banking hours is wrong. working over for straight time is wrong. show some old fashioned brotherhood for a minute. i think the union has some great electricians still. maybe you have a high opinion of yourself. but there is work out there.go onto ibew jobs board and find it. maybe take a salting class and try working for a non union contractor. youll find out soon enough what it is too truly be taken advantage of. i should know. i worked in an open shop 13 years , union now for last 7. work is slow in most locals. join the club. just stop bashing everyone else. now is not the time to seperate brotherhood. i am currently working at a hospital with several jobs going. some union some not.we have salts with the out of town rats. treating them humanely seems to work well. may have future nob's.

knowshorts · 08-20-2012, 10:03 PM

Out of town rats? Nice. How about digging through your history books and tell me when exactly Henry Miller used that derogatory word.