Hey guys, sorry to bug you once again but here's been some big updates since I last posted about trying to get into the union and I need some BIG help because I feel I'm being giving an unfair deal:
Let me first start with what has all happened from the beginning. April 2011 I got a call from a Union electrical contractor about a possible job position. I was informed that I needed to call the local union #466 to apply for apprenticeship. I did so on April 21st, 2011 and paid my $25 fee for the JATC testing. While there, the secretary informed me if I could bring copies of my high school transcripts, Vocational school training, electrician's license, driver's license and present 8000+ hours working experience, that I would be granted an interview, pass or fail on the testing and with the hours, could by-pass the apprenticeship training. I brought all the records, including 1040 tax statements showing from 2001 to 2010 that I worked as an electrician.
I didn't hear anything back until November when I received a letter saying I had a testing date on December 8,2011. I went to the test and on January 6,2012 I received a letter saying I had passed and would be receiving another letter soon , stating when I would be given an interview. On January 10th,2012 I received a phone call from the local financial secretary asking me if I received the letter informing me that I had passed the test. I told them yes and the financial secretary then asked would I also be interested in the CW/CE program. Not really understanding what that was, I asked and he explained that I could go right to work for a local contractor and anytime there, could be applied towards the apprenticeship program. I then told him that I had presented copies of all my work records, schooling, etc and he said " Oh ok, well come in Friday and we will interview you".
So this morning I went to local 466 in Charleston,WV and met with the financial secretary and he began to talk about the CW/CE program, but not the apprenticeship program. When I asked him about the apprenticeship program he said " Well you haven't gotten your interview letter yet, this is for the CW/CE", he didn't tell me this on the phone. He made it sound like this would be my interview for the apprenticeship program. But just to see what it was, I went through the interview and he began showing me that I would most likely start at CW-1 wages ( which are far too low for me to make it on) and said if I could produce 14,000+ hrs, I could be moved up to CE-3 ( which is a little bit better than what I am currently making). He then informed me that IF I made CE-3, I would be on a 1 year waiting period before being eligible for the Apprenticeship program. After that? It would be 5 years before I would be eligible to take their Journeyman's testing. So all in all, 6 more years of waiting , despite having almost 11 years in the field as a documented Journeyman Electrician.
When I went to produce my work records again, he presented copies of what I had brought in April. He said they couldn't use my work hours because they didn't specify EXACT work hours. Well the only way for me to do that in this company I work for is to present weekly pay stubs and at 52 weeks per year for 10 years? That would be next to impossible.
I then explained that both my license and my tax records clearly state I was employed as electrician since June of 2001. The records stated the company I worked for ( and still do at this moment). He told me to send copies of the W-2s and they could maybe move me up to CE-3. I went home today, gathered my records and called him back and told him that I had W-2s for all but two years, yet have the 1040s for ALL years. He said " well just give us what you have and we'll go from there". I told him that would possibly short change my hours. He said " that's not my problem" I then told him I could call my work office and have the secretary fax the missing W-2s along with a formal letter showing my work hours , he then began to get hateful and said " that's not my job to go looking for your records and I'm not going to. You can give us what you got and that's it".
So my problem is this: with my work hours proven, along with completion of trade school and holding a Journeyman's card for almost 11 years. Is this legal for them to do this and should I even be IN the Apprenticeship Program at all? Because I've read on here and online that most people with this much experience would be in the JW1-JW2 program, NOT the apprenticeship. So why am I being given the run around? Any information would be helpful guys and I'm sorry for ranting on this long, I just wanted to state all the facts accurately. Thanks
Let me first start with what has all happened from the beginning. April 2011 I got a call from a Union electrical contractor about a possible job position. I was informed that I needed to call the local union #466 to apply for apprenticeship. I did so on April 21st, 2011 and paid my $25 fee for the JATC testing. While there, the secretary informed me if I could bring copies of my high school transcripts, Vocational school training, electrician's license, driver's license and present 8000+ hours working experience, that I would be granted an interview, pass or fail on the testing and with the hours, could by-pass the apprenticeship training. I brought all the records, including 1040 tax statements showing from 2001 to 2010 that I worked as an electrician.
I didn't hear anything back until November when I received a letter saying I had a testing date on December 8,2011. I went to the test and on January 6,2012 I received a letter saying I had passed and would be receiving another letter soon , stating when I would be given an interview. On January 10th,2012 I received a phone call from the local financial secretary asking me if I received the letter informing me that I had passed the test. I told them yes and the financial secretary then asked would I also be interested in the CW/CE program. Not really understanding what that was, I asked and he explained that I could go right to work for a local contractor and anytime there, could be applied towards the apprenticeship program. I then told him that I had presented copies of all my work records, schooling, etc and he said " Oh ok, well come in Friday and we will interview you".
So this morning I went to local 466 in Charleston,WV and met with the financial secretary and he began to talk about the CW/CE program, but not the apprenticeship program. When I asked him about the apprenticeship program he said " Well you haven't gotten your interview letter yet, this is for the CW/CE", he didn't tell me this on the phone. He made it sound like this would be my interview for the apprenticeship program. But just to see what it was, I went through the interview and he began showing me that I would most likely start at CW-1 wages ( which are far too low for me to make it on) and said if I could produce 14,000+ hrs, I could be moved up to CE-3 ( which is a little bit better than what I am currently making). He then informed me that IF I made CE-3, I would be on a 1 year waiting period before being eligible for the Apprenticeship program. After that? It would be 5 years before I would be eligible to take their Journeyman's testing. So all in all, 6 more years of waiting , despite having almost 11 years in the field as a documented Journeyman Electrician.
When I went to produce my work records again, he presented copies of what I had brought in April. He said they couldn't use my work hours because they didn't specify EXACT work hours. Well the only way for me to do that in this company I work for is to present weekly pay stubs and at 52 weeks per year for 10 years? That would be next to impossible.
I then explained that both my license and my tax records clearly state I was employed as electrician since June of 2001. The records stated the company I worked for ( and still do at this moment). He told me to send copies of the W-2s and they could maybe move me up to CE-3. I went home today, gathered my records and called him back and told him that I had W-2s for all but two years, yet have the 1040s for ALL years. He said " well just give us what you have and we'll go from there". I told him that would possibly short change my hours. He said " that's not my problem" I then told him I could call my work office and have the secretary fax the missing W-2s along with a formal letter showing my work hours , he then began to get hateful and said " that's not my job to go looking for your records and I'm not going to. You can give us what you got and that's it".
So my problem is this: with my work hours proven, along with completion of trade school and holding a Journeyman's card for almost 11 years. Is this legal for them to do this and should I even be IN the Apprenticeship Program at all? Because I've read on here and online that most people with this much experience would be in the JW1-JW2 program, NOT the apprenticeship. So why am I being given the run around? Any information would be helpful guys and I'm sorry for ranting on this long, I just wanted to state all the facts accurately. Thanks