Depending on your union you could be in for a shock. My local would never permit an person with as little experence as you have to be paid more than another one of equal experience. Less than 2 years with a position of authority. Never happen. The only way to get more money was to move from electrical wiring to fire alarms/controls.
How to get paid above scale/ Trimbel as a Union Apprentice?
To start, I've been a CW (Union Apprentice w/o going to school for 1 1/2 years). I got accepted into a Union program and I'm looking forward to our yearly rotation between Contactors, but I've worked for my contractor long enough they have taught me how to Trimble. I'm currently paid over-scale by $2.50 due to being one of the leaders on our current job's underground and having Trimble experience so they don't have to bring an office guy out to our jobsite. I'm looking for advice on transferring contractors come May and keeping my pay that is currently equal to a 3rd years pay. I don't necessarily want to continue Trimble or similar Layout work due to it being mundane. Should I tell my next contractor that I wish to be paid equal or more to what I was previously making and tell them about the Commercial work skills I have, leaving Trimble as a last bargaining chip, or should I emphasize it along with my current skills to get the best pay and hope I don't get stuck running Layout work.
In total is being able to solo run a Trimble RTS (with BIM files provided to me), as an apprentice, should I keep it secret until I can guarantee a better pay over-scale?
In total is being able to solo run a Trimble RTS (with BIM files provided to me), as an apprentice, should I keep it secret until I can guarantee a better pay over-scale?
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At this point in the process, that above scale pay you earned was good fortune, but you had to know you might not be able to get it at your next company. If you happen to land at another company that can use your Trimble layout experience, you might make over scale, you might not. I don't know your local but the general idea is you're going to get moved to a different company so you learn different things different ways which will make you more well rounded at the end of the process. So I don't think the people at your hall will be inclined to help you land at another company that has you working with Trimble rather than learning the other aspects of the trade. If you can find a contractor that uses Trimble and get them to ask for you, that might work. You may be shortchanging yourself by what amounts to specializing as an apprentice.
My local would freeze where you are with pay, until you matched your pay scale. WHY would a union cut your pay seems counter-intuitive, of course, unions are not always logical.
It was my experience, when working for a local union, any pay over the required minimum wage, was between the employee and the employer.
As long as you were being paid the minimum wage, based on what level you were at, the local was OK with it and didn't get involved.
Why shouldn't a forth year apprentice installing fire alarm systems and HVAC motor controls in high rise office buildings, with minimal supervision, make a bit more than a forth year apprentice, who does nothing but mount boxes and jerk in BX?
As long as you were being paid the minimum wage, based on what level you were at, the local was OK with it and didn't get involved.
Why shouldn't a forth year apprentice installing fire alarm systems and HVAC motor controls in high rise office buildings, with minimal supervision, make a bit more than a forth year apprentice, who does nothing but mount boxes and jerk in BX?
One of my Cubs at guarantee electrical... Was doing Trimble and he got I think it was either journeyman or Foreman either way it's higher than he was getting. I was the Stewart and understood Trimble but I wasn't necessarily going to be a Trimble guy... This was local oneDepending on your union you could be in for a shock. My local would never permit an person with as little experence as you have to be paid more than another one of equal experience. Less than 2 years with a position of authority. Never happen. The only way to get more money was to move from electrical wiring to fire alarms/controls.
Extra pay from a IBEW contractor is most likely a backroom deal. I'm sure it happens, but its not talked about. Good luck.
Some unions forbid any extra; the rate is the rate.
Some unions forbid any extra; the rate is the rate.
I was a steward... I couldn't remember exact reason but they get its a journeyman wireman role so you have to pay that person that wage...Extra pay from a IBEW contractor is most likely a backroom deal. I'm sure it happens, but its not talked about. Good luck.
Some unions forbid any extra; the rate is the rate.
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