[Okie123]

So I just got my license. Only been in the trade for just over 4 years. Before that I was a Scout (19Delta) in the US Army. The shop I work at has about 60 employees. We are always busy and the pay is great. I don't know anything about Unions and was just wondering why some electricians join them. What's the attraction?

 

[rewire]

So I just got my license. Only been in the trade for just over 4 years. Before that I was a Scout (19Delta) in the US Army. The shop I work at has about 60 employees. We are always busy and the pay is great. I don't know anything about Unions and was just wondering why some electricians join them. What's the attraction?

some people like socialism

 

[bobelectric]

Bigger areas ,unions

have more work,longer jobs

Defined wages and benefits.

More safety and training on the job.

Bigger tools are provided.

The feeling of a Brotherhood.

 

[brian john]

Generally but not always when compared to open shops.

Very good pay
Very good benefits
Retirement


and for me the biggest

Over the course of your career you will work from as few as one electrical and as many as who knows. With a union the pay and benefits travel with you no renegotiating at each job.

Now some places unions do not have full time work so you may work only part of the year up to 365 days a year.

In my area union is pretty strong and has full employment.

 

[brian john]

some people like socialism

I thought you were pro union???????????????

 

[bobelectric]

Around here the unions have an agreement for a reduced wage on a plant shut down for maintenance. Guys need the work.

 

[Southeast Power]

I will say that working union, especially on larger jobs, is very similar to the way our military is organized.
Sometimes it's warm body's needed but to make it into a supervision billet, you have to prove your proficiency.

 

[That_Dude]

So I just got my license. Only been in the trade for just over 4 years. Before that I was a Scout (19Delta) in the US Army. The shop I work at has about 60 employees. We are always busy and the pay is great. I don't know anything about Unions and was just wondering why some electricians join them. What's the attraction?

It doesn't require thought or a soul. Just keep paying dues and all will be well. :whistling2:

 

[Sparky305]

So I just got my license. Only been in the trade for just over 4 years. Before that I was a Scout (19Delta) in the US Army. The shop I work at has about 60 employees. We are always busy and the pay is great. I don't know anything about Unions and was just wondering why some electricians join them. What's the attraction?

The real question for me is . . what are the benefits of being a union contractor?

I been in the union most of my career as an apprentice, and the union has been great to me providing good wages, health insurance, and free education. But if I were to start out on my own and become a union contractor, how would I benefit from being a union shop? Keep in mind I'm in Florida and unions suck down here. Can anyone offer any enlightenment? It just doesn't add up for me.

 

[Chrisibew440]

Bigger areas ,unions

have more work,longer jobs

Defined wages and benefits.

More safety and training on the job.

Bigger tools are provided.

The feeling of a Brotherhood.

Yeah! What he said.

 

[Chrisibew440]

some people like socialism

That's funny.us union guys can post rational and care free opinions in the non union threads but it doesn't seem to go both ways. But yet were still disliked. And who said or has proof that socialistic ideals are bad.

 

[rewire]

Bigger areas ,unions

have more work

not true unions only have about 7% of the market

Defined wages and benefits.

the slowest guy makes the same as the fastest guy

The feeling of a Brotherhood.

stabbing each other in the back so you are not first on the layoff list so you wont be sitting on the bench behind 100 other guys.

 

[chadw]

not true unions only have about 7% of the market the slowest guy makes the same as the fastest guy
stabbing each other in the back so you are not first on the layoff list so you wont be sitting on the bench behind 100 other guys.

getting paid more and company provided power tools

 

[rewire]

getting paid more and company provided power tools

being laid off and having to wait six months for the book to get to you.
Then paying to work.

 

[captkirk]

If your in a good union it can be the best thing..

 

[Big John]

The training opportunities you will get in the union are often far-and-away better than anything provided by merit shops. If you're looking to advance your career quickly, the more of that you have under your belt, the better off you'll be.

 

[bkmichael65]

You would get better answers by asking a union member in your area. A good number of guys on here with issues against the union, have no first hand knowledge of the pros and cons of union employment. My father was union because that was the path that worked out best for him, I'm not because I had better non union opportunities available when I was entering the job market.

 

[chadw]

being laid off and having to wait six months for the book to get to you.
Then paying to work.

you really think the good ones get laid off and are on the books forever? just like the non-union side contactors, they keep the most valuable employees busy.

my $18.20 hr. as a 3rd year apprentice is about as much as non-union jw's get in my area. and the dues I pay are not much at all. The benefits, pension, and insurance are worth it. Not to mention the training is really good.

 

[pjmurph2002]

I thought you were pro union???????????????

depends which way the wind is blowing

 

[rewire]

you really think the good ones get laid off and are on the books forever? just like the non-union side contactors, they keep the most valuable employees busy.

my $18.20 hr. as a 3rd year apprentice is about as much as non-union jw's get in my area. and the dues I pay are not much at all. The benefits, pension, and insurance are worth it. Not to mention the training is really good.

From my experience in the union the foreman with a van will sit home for a month and draw unemployment with his company van in the drive and not sign the book. If the hall finds out and makes the guy sign the book the employer just calls him out and he jumps past all his "brothers".

the pay was a few dollars more and I did not want or need the insurance but had to pay for it anyway. I am vested in the NEBF but it may go broke before I retire. That was the reason for the CE/CW program it is geared to get more paying into the system. The retirement was about 4 to 1 now it is 1 to 1 as far as paying in and those retired.

For a small contractor their is no benefit and for a residential contractor it is hard to even get workers. Our union residential scale was 11.00/hr .