I'm tired of the way my job is going so im gona try and get into the Local 449 Steamfitters Union here in Pittaburgh. I was just wondering if anyone here is a union worker and what you think about it. Me and three other friends are going to take the test and have our interviews soon. The aplications need to be filled out The first two weeks in feb. My drafting career has hit a wall and being that im still young i want to get into a guarenteed career. I can't see myself sitting at a desk job my entire life. I need to get out and work or i'll just end up being a lazy bum.

Let me now what everyone thinks about it.

 

Yep! Public Service Alliance Of Canada (PSAC) Local 20209.

Rick

 

If you want to actually work, and don't want to end up a lazy bum, don't join a union.

Waxy

 

I am going to be a union member in about 2 weeks- I got a job at Electric Boat! I am going in as a welder, from what I have heard, it can be pretty nasty work at times, but still, I enjoy working with metal. It's something I can do and do well. I'm not enthused about the dues, and the set pay schedule, but at least at this job I won't have to wait a year to not get my 6-month review!

 

That's kinda the reason I want in.
Set pay scale, full benefit's, vacation pay every year.
So what about the dues ! I'll be getting enough free training that it would make up for it, so it's not that bad.
I'm looking at 25-30 dollars an hour after the apprenticeship is up in five years. 3 raises a year.
Also, I look at it this way, I've got nothing else going for me right now.
It's my best option.

 

I'm in UAW Local 863, in Batavia, OH. I love it. Alot of people have a misconception that all union workers are lazy. Granted, there are some who are, but, not all. I work my butt off everyday. The union helps to make sure that the company doesn't take advantage of the hourly workers. If your union local is a good one, you will enjoy your job alot more.

Bluehawk

 

I'm a construction craft laborer, Local 132. I work my tail off every day I'm at work(don't miss any days either). I have the winters off too, doing seasonal work is a benefit in itself. This is my lazy time, get to work around the house and garage. I got in for the future benefits: insurance, pension, etc., etc.

 

****If you want to actually work, and don't want to end up a lazy bum, don't join a union. *****

A little harsh there arnt you WAXY. Conterary to popular beliefs, not all union people are lazy. Some of us do have to work for a living.

The unions have there good points and there bad. For the most part I like the union, however like I said, they have there bad points too.

My $.02

Jim.

 

INTERNATIONAL UNION OF OPERATING ENGINEERS
local 181 ......District 6....... Ashland KY.


quote:
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If you want to actually work, and don't want to end up a lazy bum, don't join a union.
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Waxy

spoken like a true IDIOT ! so your one of those people..


Tsheriff..... I'm not going to lie to you It does have its ups & downs...... more ups though
myself I love it......... I do my job & nobody elses......I never have to stay in one place to long......If I don't like my job or someone there ......I drag up and go somewhere else.......
good pay........ benefits ........ retirement ......working enviroment and training program...plus more

now there are some negatives ..........sometimes out of work....... may have to travel to find work.........some jobs have rats that will do your work.......... and for some reason people like ( WAXY ) are out there who thinks were all lazy scum......

But where would they be with out unions ??
still working 16 hour days for a dollar..... thats where......

people can say what they want about unions ......BUT myself I wouldn't have It any other way................

Oh look another union------------> UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

 

Quote:

Waxy

spoken like a true IDIOT ! so your one of those people..

72 Mach_1, Only an IDIOT has to resort to name calling and personal attack to make a point in an argument. You're likely not worth responding to.

Now, for those of you capable of an intelligent discussion, let me explain myself.

First off, I did come back to this thread after and I realize that my post was a little harsh and that I was using a pretty broad brush. However, I have never had anything but negative experiences with unions. I could recount a hundred different occassions and examples that would warrant the lazy and surly "stereotype" that unions have. I don't think there's any point in adding fuel to the fire with a bunch of examples, but let's just say that stereotypes exist for a reason.

That being said, I surely don't think that every person working for a union fits the stereotype, and I have met those that don't. I know that there are a lot of hard working people out there that earn their living. I also appreciate what unions have done historically for improving the working conditions of the average employee.

Perhaps my point should have been this, if you are ambitious and energetic, and looking to make the most of your talents, a union maybe isn't the best place to be. Unions take away the ability of the individual to excel and advance at his/her own pace. Hard work and ambition are not reward, instead, advancement is a carefully controlled process based more on seniority than competency. I many cases, and again, not all, too eager an attitude or even the appearance of wanting to advance too quickly or working that little bit extra, will likely get you a reprimand from the union, or at the least, you won't have many friends on the job. In this way, IMHO, unions foster an environment of complacency and mediocrity, rather than advancement and excellence.

Waxy

 

X local 1 operating engineers Denver

Plant was Closed

Was screwed by keebler and kellogs

Then screwed by Local 1

( If you need a union to work for a company, YOU don't need either of them)

LOST about $20,000 between the both of them

 

I'm a son of a Union Steel Worker and the Grandson of two Union Steelworkers. Aside from minor layoffs my family has always had a job and are not lazy. That is a very very stereotypical comment. Union Workers work. So if it counts alot of you stainless products were made by my family and friends. No they are not lazy, so my advice if it counts is Join. It will save you in the long run and will probably have a better chance at keeping a job. SO JOIN!

 

There is good and bad to a union. It does help with pay benefits and such. It also is a great help with employer abuse. The downside is that all pay is consistent if you are a good worker or a bum. If there is someone that does not do good work or just is not cut out for the job it is near impossible to try to get rid of them due to the fact that the employer sometimes fears the union. This is what I have seen from a school district that I am trying to get in. It probably is not the same everywhere but overall I think there is more good than bad about unions.

Dan 69 F-100 302, C4

 

For someone who doesn't like unions .......You sure seem to think you know a lot about them........

Now as for me saying
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Waxy

You're welcome to your own opinion.
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I said it and I meant It......... Even If I'm not worth responding to

I really get tired of people like you who think they know it all.
Yes there are some lazy people in unions.......but guess what..... there are lazy people in every occupation.......

To group everybody in one category Because you had a bad experience is neither sensible nor intelligent.

quote
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That being said, I surely don't think that every person working for a union fits the stereotype, and I have met those that don't. I know that there are a lot of hard working people out there that earn their living. I also appreciate what unions have done historically for improving the working conditions of the average employee.
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I'm glad you at least admit that..................

quote
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Unions take away the ability of the individual to excel and advance at his/her own pace.
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Then how do we get....... foreman......general foreman.......project managers......... ect

quote
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I many cases, and again, not all, too eager an attitude or even the appearance of wanting to advance too quickly or working that little bit extra, will likely get you a reprimand from the union, or at the least, you won't have many friends on the job.
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yes..... If you try and do everyones job,then nobody will like you
If your craft is..... IRON WORKER..... then don't be welding on a pipe......thats...... PIPEFITTERS..... work........
If your a........CARPENTER ........then don't run a dozer......
thats operators work...ect

quote
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IMHO, unions foster an environment of complacency and mediocrity, rather than advancement and excellence.
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you're right ,In..... YOUR OPINION........ which doesn't necessarily make It correct..........

 

I am member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. Federal law says I have to be.