Join union then relocate?

4980 Views 16 Replies 9 Participants Last post by JimmyR, Jul 29, 2010

Tangible

Discussion Starter · Feb 22, 2008 (Edited)

I am currently taking an electrician program at Tesst College in baltimore in which I graduate on April 3rd (about 6 weeks). I've been working for my teacher, whose a master electrician, since November doing strictly residential work. I've learned a lot, I'm at a point where I could basically do a whole house by myself to code, still working on my speed though, I'm sure that will come with more experience.

The thing is 1) my teacher doesn't pay that well... 2) I despise living in baltimore, I'm originally from Miami. I've only been here a year and want to go back. I really want to join the IBEW union... but right now, I'm working on fixing my driver's license, acquiring transportation and getting my finances in order before makin a move back to miami, or wherever else is looking good.

The question is, if I were to get in to the local baltimore union, would they transfer me to another union if I wanted to relocate? Would I have to re-apply? How does that process work?

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LGLS

· #2 · Feb 22, 2008

Tangible said:
I really want to join the IBEW union... but right now, I'm working on fixing my driver's license, acquiring transportation and getting my finances in order before makin a move back to miami, or wherever else is looking good.

The question is, if I were to get in to the local baltimore union, would they transfer me to another union if I wanted to relocate?

No.

Would I have to re-apply?

In general, yes.

okeefe

· #3 · Feb 23, 2008

They will let you to go anywhere in the country and sign book #2 after you first finish your apprenticeship in bailtmore.

Super_33

· #4 · Feb 23, 2008

You will always be a member of the local you join originally. If you move you'll be a traveler and sign book #2 making it a bit more difficult to get a job.

nap

· #5 · Feb 23, 2008

Super_33 said:
You will always be a member of the local you join originally. If you move you'll be a traveler and sign book #2 making it a bit more difficult to get a job.

Not always true. Most locals have provisions to move to book one after meeting certain criteria.

In my local, if you work local for 2 years (I think) and have established a residence here, you can petition to go to book 1.

BUT each local has their own rules regarding this.

It may be better for you to wait until you get to Florida to join if that is where you believe you will be staying. That way youwill not have to deal with being book 2 in what is essentially your home local.

Celtic

· #6 · Feb 23, 2008

There's always the opinion of "jamming your card" :whistling2:

nap

· #7 · Feb 23, 2008

Celtic said:
There's always the opinion of "jamming your card" :whistling2:

I do not like forcing it although it is possible. It is applied for and voted on by the body here. We can and have refused book 1 status if we believed it was not proper to offer it.

By the written rules, one could fight for book 1 status and if willing to do whatever it takes, could force the issue through the courts but generally not a good idea.

I also do not believe that a person should be locked into their original local. I believe that if a person does re-establish themselves in another locals jurisdiction, it is only fair to eventually allw them to become book 1. After all, aren;t we all brothers?????

Celtic

· #8 · Feb 23, 2008

Before the thought of jamming a card is entertained, a person needs JW status....however, there are cases where an apprentice may actually have their card transferred with all the necessary blessings.

For the OP, once he gets used to Baltimore money, he may forget all about Florida...or not? If he remains Book 1 in Baltimore and moves to Florida - as planned - he might be able to swing 6 months in Baltimore...and a few months on Book II in Florida ~ providing there is Book II work in Florida and that he has the JW status.

Tangible

Discussion Starter · #9 · Feb 23, 2008

so I'm getting the impression I should wait until I'm at where I think I'm going to live for a long time before joining the union?

Celtic, I feel you on the money issue, as I've been researching and it seems that this area pays a hell of lot better than the southern states. I just really hate baltimore though.

I was looking at D.C.'s union website, the pay is better and I would probably like living there more than I do here, DC is not too far, would I be able to apply there even though I don't currently live in that union district or would I have to relocate first?

nap

· #10 · Feb 23, 2008

Celtic said:
Before the thought of jamming a card is entertained, a person needs JW status....however, there are cases where an apprentice may actually have their card transferred with all the necessary blessings.

.

True. I was thinking along the lines of him possibly testing in and recieving JW rather than going through the apprenticeship (although I strongly believe the union apprenticeship does provide the best education out there:thumbup: )

Celtic

· #11 · Feb 23, 2008

Tangible said:
so I'm getting the impression I should wait until I'm at where I think I'm going to live for a long time before joining the union?

Will you ever really know where you want to live?
Things change...familys grow, kids move...ace-holes move into the neighborhood...you decide you want to also have a horse stable....etc.

Yours is really a tough question to answer - for both me and you.
How do you benefit by waiting?
Will the opportunity still be valid at a later date? ...in a different location?
Will you be happy waiting/not waiting?
Are you happy where you are now? ....financially?....geographically?
etc

There are more questions than answers....and some answers will be conflicting with other answers.

Tangible said:
Celtic, I feel you on the money issue, as I've been researching and it seems that this area pays a hell of lot better than the southern states. I just really hate baltimore though.

Not an Orioles' fan?
:laughing:

Tangible said:
I was looking at D.C.'s union website, the pay is better and I would probably like living there more than I do here, DC is not too far, would I be able to apply there even though I don't currently live in that union district or would I have to relocate first?

Don't quote me on this, but the residence requirement may have been lifted...although it may only apply to NJ which is so densely populated.
I would ask the people at the particular local you are interested in.

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Celtic

· #12 · Feb 23, 2008

nap said:
True. I was thinking along the lines of him possibly testing in and recieving JW rather than going through the apprenticeship (although I strongly believe the union apprenticeship does provide the best education out there:thumbup: )

That is also a possibility :thumbsup:
Many locals offer journeyman classes ....probably not so much theory, but hands on stuff you will use everyday...pipe bending, blueprint reading, etc.

John Valdes

· #13 · Feb 23, 2008

If your planning to go and live in Miami you will be working for local 349. I worked out of that local as a traveler in the 80's.
You will need your journeymans card in Florida to even get a look. If you have a journeymans license in Baltimore and belong to your local local, you can go to Miami and sign in for work as a traveler. Then you will need to work with the guys down there and get in with them. All you need is a paid dues receipt and your card.
You will need several local members to stand for you. Prop you up at the meetings and so forth.
But remember you need a Florida license not a Baltimore license. Maryland and Florida do not reciprocate. So your license is null in Miami. Good luck. There are some great guys in that local.
Also, my days with them are long past, so things may have changed.

JohnJ0906

· #14 · Feb 24, 2008

Tangible said:
Celtic, I feel you on the money issue, as I've been researching and it seems that this area pays a hell of lot better than the southern states. I just really hate baltimore though.

I was looking at D.C.'s union website, the pay is better and I would probably like living there more than I do here, DC is not too far, would I be able to apply there even though I don't currently live in that union district or would I have to relocate first?

If you don't like Baltimore, what makes you think you will like DC?
Cost of living is higher, traffic is worse, crime just as bad.

Celtic

· #15 · Feb 24, 2008

JohnJ0906 said:
If you don't like Baltimore, what makes you think you will like DC?
Cost of living is higher, traffic is worse, crime just as bad.

...and there is a hell of a lot more politicians!

nap

· #16 · Feb 24, 2008

keeps your friends close;

keeps your enemies closer.

JimmyR

· #17 · Jul 29, 2010

you can join Local 3, Live in Florida, and work in NYC 3 or 4 months a year!!!

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