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Thoughts on IBEW?

12K views 34 replies 15 participants last post by  CrossRoad Demon 
#1 ·
Okay i was planning on MAYBE joining ibew in the near future and wanted the opinions on those who are currently employed in or have recently left to reply to this.
I personally like the way you can choose how much you work and they have work almost all the time, so very little unemployment time. I also like the fact that you get rsp's and benfits in dental and medical. But... The one thing i don't like about job security is that there are some real @ssholes that work with you and dont give a damn about you because they have a guaranteed job.. what do you think?
-Do/Did you like the way they are run?
-Do/Did you enjoy working for them?
 
#4 ·
Most problems with the IBEW stem from lack of work.

If there's lot's of work, then those problems disappear. The problems that still exist are usually pretty babyish.

In general, you will make more money as an IBEW member than non-union. Some times it's a lot more. You will have as good if not better healthcare, and you will almost always have a much, much better retirement plan.
 
#5 ·
HackWork said:
Most problems with the IBEW stem from lack of work.

If there's lot's of work, then those problems disappear. The problems that still exist are usually pretty babyish.

In general, you will make more money as an IBEW member than non-union. Some times it's a lot more. You will have as good if not better healthcare, and you will almost always have a much, much better retirement plan.
I think my decision is final; join ibew!
 
#6 ·
I just noticed that it said you were in Canadia. I'm not sure if things are the same there. From what I know, there may be regulations requiring that you're paid a certain rate whether you are union or not (or is that just for apprentices?).

It's probably best to let a Candian IBEW member fill you in.
 
#7 ·
HackWork said:
I just noticed that it said you were in Canadia. I'm not sure if things are the same there. From what I know, there may be regulations requiring that you're paid a certain rate whether you are union or not (or is that just for apprentices?).

It's probably best to let a Candian IBEW member fill you in.
during my first year electrical i had a run down from an ibew member for 40 years, he claimed that he makes a list of journeymen and apprentice and calls them from first come first serve thing for work, apprentices coming before journeymen. When he calls you saying theres expected work at a place for say 2 months (could even be longer) you can either take or turn down the job. This is the part that i like about ibew, if you have something come up you can turn down work. also, when you turn down a job you are placed back on the list.


i think 1st years make 60% of journeymens and you gain 5% every 700 hours of work.
 
#9 ·
big2bird said:
In my local, you can turn down two calls. The third, you go to the bottom of the list. Keeps the men that want to work at the top. I feel that is fair.
That's how ours works , however if the agent doesn't actually speak to you and leaves a message on your phone , it doesn't count as a turned down call . This is how guys wait for the job they want , by not answering the phone . It's kind of frowned upon , but its done all the time ! There's a guy on out list that has been at number 1 for months . Either he's got his own gig and never told the hall or he's dead ?
 
#12 ·
I don't know any ibew making $65/hr or close to that in Canada like I do as a NON UNION. So making a lot more in the union is hogwash even if (big if) you work all year. We have on employee from BC on our crew who left the union in bc due to lack of work. He's never made more money, plus LOA and flights are paid. So throwing out the "you automatically make more money in the union" I find offensive and ignorant. Lets educate ourselves before spouting bull****.
 
#14 ·
Pretty sure this is from The *******'s local (213):

General Foreman $45.12
A Foreman $41.65
B Foreman $38.88
Journeyman $34.71
1st Term Apprentice $19.09
2nd Term Apprentice $20.83
3rd Term Apprentice $22.56
4th Term Apprentice $24.30
5th Term Apprentice $26.03
6th Term Apprentice $27.77
7th Term Apprentice $29.50
8th Term Apprentice $31.24
 
#19 ·
Look sweetheart, I said "In general, you will make more money as an IBEW member than non-union." which is a pretty accurate statement. I then amended that post to say that I didn't realize that the OP was speaking about Canada and it might be different there. No harm, no foul.

Then you come along beating your chest like a big tough guy ranting and raving about ignorance and people educating themselves before spouting bull**** and everything else. You made yourself look like a whining child.

Yet, for someone with such an attitude, you haven't posted a single bit of evidence other than a story about some guy you know leaving the union and your own wage, which you could have pulled out of thin air. Maybe you do make that much, maybe you don't. Either way, it proves nothing.

If you have an issue with me stating that in general the wages for IBEW members is higher, post some proof. Show me where I was wrong, and therefore we could all learn something, that's how adults do things.
 
#20 ·
Sweetheart, lmao

What do I have to gain with lying? I guess if it makes you feel better I can post up my pay stub in an open forum, but that would likely make a big shot like you feel worse. There's barely any union companies in the mining sector, the ones that are get paid less. So where I work its the opposite. If you want proof you can likely google search what any union mining company (vale inco) and maybe (xstrata) not sure if they are vs what any non union contractor like Redpath, Cementation, Dumas, DMC or any other one pays.
So go help yourself if you don't believe me.

I'm currently working in an EPCM job in Saskatchewan, construction at the mine.
I work 20 days a month and take home just over 9k. ( varies a bit) So gross would be 40% or more than that more or less, so looking at 150-160k/ yr.
union companies pay what they pay. Bound by their own rules, so they get paid their local rate. Doesn't matter what the client, and/or EPCM are willing to pay to get the job done on time.

Maybe in your little world it is as you believe, but since there is a lot you don't know about life, especially up here, I can understand it will be hard for you to follow
 
#25 ·
Film Student to Electrician?

Hi, I am currently a film student and will be graduating in the spring of 2014. Obviously, my film degree won't be getting me the greatest jobs, so I've been considering a career as a union electrician with local 5 in Pittsburgh. I think it might be a great way for me to (1) get some steady income and (2) obtain more skills that might be attractive to a production. My main interests in film are cinematography and lighting, so I thought this career choice might be a win-win for me.

I just had a few questions for those of you who have been doing it for a while:
(1)Would working for the union be conducive to these goals I have?
(2)Will it be difficult for me to get into this field with no experience?
(3)Does this line of work have an accepting and comfortable environment (generally) for women?

And, of course, if you have any other advice for me, it would be greatly appreciated!
 
#29 ·
Hi, I am currently a film student and will be graduating in the spring of 2014. Obviously, my film degree won't be getting me the greatest jobs, so I've been considering a career as a union electrician with local 5 in Pittsburgh. I think it might be a great way for me to (1) get some steady income and (2) obtain more skills that might be attractive to a production. My main interests in film are cinematography and lighting, so I thought this career choice might be a win-win for me.

I just had a few questions for those of you who have been doing it for a while:
(1)Would working for the union be conducive to these goals I have?
(2)Will it be difficult for me to get into this field with no experience?
(3)Does this line of work have an accepting and comfortable environment (generally) for women?
greatly appreciated!
wrong forum, but electrical experience will definetly help getting into production lighting. good luck!
 
#30 ·
No one works for the IBEW. A person who has the capability to work as an electrician and wants support in matters that he personally cannot or "just does not want to deal with" can enlist the union to negotiate for him. That is the bottom line...and I am satisfied.
 
#34 ·
Okay i was planning on MAYBE joining ibew in the near future and wanted the opinions on those who are currently employed in or have recently left to reply to this.
I personally like the way you can choose how much you work and they have work almost all the time, so very little unemployment time. I also like the fact that you get rsp's and benfits in dental and medical. But... The one thing i don't like about job security is that there are some real @ssholes that work with you and dont give a damn about you because they have a guaranteed job.. what do you think?
-Do/Did you like the way they are run?
-Do/Did you enjoy working for them?
I’ve been IBEW for 9yrs. There are assholes everywhere you go. That’s not intrinsic to the union. That being said, I was able to take a month off on unemployment last year when my house was finished being built, when I was ready to go back to work, called my company and they recalled me back to work. Retirement and medical is awesome, didn’t pay a dime when my kid was born. And there is obviously a reason the prevailing wage is based off union scale. I make $50.35hr in Portland metro and most non union guys are making $35-40hr with **** benefits and **** retirement.
 
#35 ·
Okay i was planning on MAYBE joining ibew in the near future and wanted the opinions on those who are currently employed in or have recently left to reply to this.
I personally like the way you can choose how much you work and they have work almost all the time, so very little unemployment time. I also like the fact that you get rsp's and benfits in dental and medical. But... The one thing i don't like about job security is that there are some real @ssholes that work with you and dont give a damn about you because they have a guaranteed job.. what do you think?
-Do/Did you like the way they are run?
-Do/Did you enjoy working for them?
#1 You don't work for the IBEW. You work for the contractors.

As for the IBEW?
- a dictatorship
- not transparent
- corrupt
- interested in having more members join for dues money

But if you're OK with the temporary good paying work and don't get involved in the IBEW, you'll do fine.
Only get involved in the IBEW if you can look the other way and stomach the internal corruption.
 
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