Union not working?

[rebell]

Talked to a long time friend of mine today while picking up snacks for the super bowl. We talked briefly, and then when I asked him if he was staying busy, he stated that he had not worked since March. He then stated that is what you get when you vote republican and buy toyota's.

He is a good electrician who will only work out of the local union hall. He has had offers to work for private companies, but has alway's turned them down.

I don't understand, there is work out there for him, but he will only except work out of the union hall. I am confused, am I wrong in thinking that work is work? Why can't a man except the work that is available to him?

Could someone please explain why this is so important to many union workers?

Please understand that I am not trying to start a nasty debate. I am just trying to understand his thinking. For some reason he would not explain to me why he feels the way he does.

[1pump]

My ex-father-in-law is an IBEW member, as I assume your friend is. The way I understood it was that union electricians just can't take any old job without risking their union status. And that's probably where all his retirement money is.

There's gotta be more to the story if he hasn't worked since March.
Maybe he won't work the "short" jobs.

[ 02-01-2004, 04:05 PM: Message edited by: 1pump ]

[Flatfish]

Unions are great when things are going well. But they are not cheap to hire on a job.

If he has turned down offers, it is his fault that he is out of work.

To be loyal is a fine thing. To a point.

Mark and the self employed dog.

I would hire out of the hall if there was work. He might be able to talk to his BA and work outside the hall if they don't have work for him. He might also try traveling, IBEW Local 1547 (my old local) is usually busy, just don't tell them you know me :grin:

[Beaver1]

I work with all union contractors. Very good work, but also very expensive. Remember the skill that you have and it will pay your way.

[drhall99]

And I'll bet my Toyota is more American than most Fords...

[Angler of Repose]

I too am a union electrician who has been out of work since April. I was able to work for 3 weeks in October on a "short call". You ask why anyone would sit around on unemployment waiting for a job to come through? I hope I can help you understand why.
I HATE being out of work. It destroys my self worth and puts my family into hardship. I have been union for 32 years, and have only been out of work for an extended period of time twice, once now and once in 1983. Both times were Repulican administrations. Whether or not that is relevant is subject to opinion. So, why don't I take a non-union job. I will be elegible to retire in about 16 months (we can take early at 55 by taking a 21% cut in retirement payout). If I work one hour for a non-union shop, my minimum early retirement gets shoved back one year. If I work one day, I can't retire until I'm 60. There were 720 out of work electricians when I signed the books in April and now I'm down to 385. It's going to take some time to get back where I was, but it is worth the wait. If the administration was truely sincere about creating jobs, they would throw away that "pie-in-the-sky" areospace dream of men living on the moon and a manned flight to Mars, and instead put those billions into rebuilding the infrastructure of this country,thereby creating thousands of jobs.

[Space]

I am a union member. I belong to the I.B.E.W (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) union. Also stated as (I been every where) which applys to times like these. As Tuna Breath stated there are penalties for working outside the hiring hall. Delayed retirement, fines or even dismissal from the hall. For those of you out there who are unfamiliar with the construction trades we are very fine people just as you are. We use our minds and our backs to accompolish some very amazing things. The unions were formed to provide a safe working environment where people could expect to go home the same way they came to work and be paid a fair wage to do it. People DIED to have a safe place to work. They gave up their lives to earn fair wages and put an end to the sweat shops. That is the reason behind what we call the Davis Bacon Act. This act was created so Government, State and other jobs would have a set wage which did away with the sweat shop mentality. Many construction workers have family and friends that died bringing us what we have today. I believe in checks and balances. Without the union the open shops (non-union) wouldn't have the wages they have. Without the open shops the unions would be more corrupt than they are precieved to be now. Without the licensing laws we have here the wage and benefits packages we all have would go away. We in the unions believe in what we call a living wage. This is one in which we the workers earn a reasonable wage and benefits package. We have a working agreement between the hiring hall(LU#48)and NECA(National Electrical Contractors Association)which are the contractors that hire us through the hall. We believe in working 8 hours a day for 8 hours pay. The union believes in families and therefore takes us back to the living wage.

I believe in unions. Especially in times like these. Things are getting worse out here. America is going down hill and people like Bush and his Republician Cronies who believe in supporting Big Business instead of the American People are whats doing it. Look how many jobs have went over seas. Chances are there are a couple of people you know that have lost their job to this sad truth. The union is for American Families and American Jobs. That is what I support. Living wages for the American people. The Open Shops that I personally know of don't offer the benefits and wages the union shops offer. But on the other hand their Shop Rate is just the same or a few dollars an hour less. I have no problem with the open shops who pay their employees fair wages and benefits. It's the ones who use unlicensed people and use scare tactics to get people to work.
I would be willing to bet your friend is feeling this way.

Please try to buy American products and support American Jobs.

It could very well be true that a toyota is more American than a Ford or Dodge. The difference is in the profits and other monies. They go back to Japan and don't support American Businesses.

Thankyou for hearing my 2cents,
Jack Brockway

SPACE

[drhall99]

Allow me a moment to apologize. I was trying to poke a little fun in the wrong spot. Being out of work is very serious. Lets hope that the next administration (he can't win again, can he) is more concerned about jobs.

Doug

Tuna Breath,
Don’t forget that the aerospace industry employs thousands of union members and the construction of new plants will employ construction workers.
The IBEW also supported an administration that eliminated lots of union jobs in SE Alaska, for political gain. Don't blindly follow what your leadership tells you. Don't speak out in meetings though or you might find out that they could keep you from working.

[Angler of Repose]

Space---
That was very well said. You have a gift to be concise and eloquent.
Keta---
You are right, but I have a problem with the Republican administration favoring areospace manufactures that also provide the means for war.
Eisenhower spoke of the military-industrial complex in the 1950's as the biggest threat to democracy. First it was Reagan with his Star Wars program and now Bush with sending someone to the moon. Why don't Bush and Cheny go?
I know about crossing the union. I wouldn't be out of work if the business manager hadn't tried to use me as an example. We used to have a system where supervisors could be called off the books by name. I tried to do this 2 weeks before a new rule was to go into effect limiting this ability. He ruled my action was not within "his" rules, even though I had a signed ROF. Anyway, here's to Grant Zadow, business manager for IBEW Local 48, my wife hates him so much she could probably beat him to a pulp!
TB

Yep, I crossed my BA (she wasn't even an electrician) in several union meetings and my job disappeared. I still support unions 100% though! I am a former IBEW, AWPPW, UAW and LIU member and was vice president of my AWPPW local.

Space,
I agree with most of what you had to say but keep your eyes open, not all Democrats really support the Unions.

[ 02-02-2004, 10:12 AM: Message edited by: Keta ]

[All Wet]

Sorry folks! You don't have any friends in Washington. Bush senior started pushing NAFTA AND GAT. Bill Clinton picked up the torch and made all kinds of political deals (read pork) to get it passed. When the democrates had their debates early on only Cosinic? said he would work to repeal it and he does't stand a snow balls chance. So this fall when you vote for President you will lose either way. Mr Wu even wants to lower the tax rate for the companies that make their money overseas. But the best is yet to come. Announced last night on TV the government is going to fire a bunch of federal workers and send the work out of country because it is cheaper. United we stand divided we fall.

[Space]

Drhall99, what you said wasn't taken badly by myself. Thankyou for the response.

Keta, I in no way believe that simply because a person is a member of a political party or organization they only vote the party/organization guidelines. I'm sure it goes on but, I could never vote a certain way because I was urged or told to do so. I believe in voting for the best person or rule even though it may not be the popular thing to do.
I have four children. A daughter who is fourteen, identical twin boy's age seven and another little guy who is six. My largest enemy as a parent is PEER PRESSURE!!! I keep trying to tell my children to think for themselves. Be yourself. Don't allow yourself to be pressured into a certain style of dress or behavior because it will make you popular. It doesn't. I just shows that you are a SHEEP and can be controlled.

I don't believe in polotics. Right is right and wrong is still wrong no matter how many pages of crock and bull is written to hide the truth of what is actually being said. Look at some of these bills the legislature is putting through. There are ten pages of crap that could be reduced down to one paragraph that simply says what the translator(lawyer)we had to hire to understand it said. I believe in looking a man in the eye, shaking his hand and my word is my bond. Perfect is close enough and if I say something I mean it. Good or bad I still mean it. I'm 35 years old now and the days of the hand shake are gone.

SPACE

Space,
Good for you. I just know that many of my brothers (and still my friends) vote how the union tells them to, no questions asked.