To UNION Or Not To UNION

XanadooLTD

I have some new things in the works and it is making me think. Currently i do not use union workers. I have been using reliable guys who have been around through thick and thin. My problem is that my dad is in the Carpenters union, all his friends are union electricians, plumbers, bricklayers, etc. I don't know if i should go the way of the union, or keep going the way i am. The union has been good. Any thoughts? Am i considered a scab?

Warren

Bill you did it!
You now have 25 posts!
Show us those pictures so that we all may worship.

bwalley

As a business owner I think uisng Union workers is going to be a mistake, since the guys you have been using have been reliable and with you through thick and thin I would stick with them.

What advantage are you going to get by using Union workers?

Will they be better workers?

Will they cost more. less, or the same?

Will they be more or less productive?

Will they do more than one trade?

ARI001

You will probably pay more and get less using union workers. They get paid the same amount regardless as to whether or not they meet production standards. The down side to unions has always been that they don't motivate people to do more and get recognized. They know they will get paid the set rate for the trade they practice whether they excel at it or not. Obviously this usually results in union guys doing the bare minimum they have to. In my opinion if you have two guys that have been with you through "thick and thin" and meet or exceed your production standards you owe it to them to stick with them as long as they continue to do so. They have stake in you and your company and will have your best interests in mind. The union will not.

XanadooLTD

That is what i thought. When i open my mouth about the union my mom is the biggest pain. She is a retired teacher. The teachers are worse than the teamsters it seems. I was just thinking should i honor the union, or stick with what has been working. Also i have a friend i grew up with that is a union electrician. He doesn't have a problem doing things for me, i just dont want any blow up rats at my sites.

JustaFramer

I make more than my non union counterpart. I work for a company that cares about my safety. They also bid their jobs according to the time it takes to do the job safely. And yes that takes more time than the ****ing hack in the box slashers. I work for a multinational company. To keep my job I know footing to finish. I also keep on schedule or beat it. Because when OT is authorized I get. Don't you little boy's know that most OT guys make 90 to 100k a year. What do you make hacks make?

bwalley

Since you are so ******* good why don't you own your own company?

There are those people smart enough to get licensed like I am in 3 different trades and run my own business, and then there are those people who have to work for someone else like you, I am glad you have the union to protect you.

BTW I make way more than 100K a year.

bwalley

BTW I wouldn't piss on a Teamster if his face was on fire.

XanadooLTD

So just a framer votes go union i guess. If your son went non union would you p*7sed? Or it really doesnt matter. I get the feeling that the union is like a football team. All for one type stuff.

XanadooLTD

westernexplorer

bwalley,

You have a lot to learn. I have license in 9 states including yours. Many people way more competant and smarter than you, make a CHOSE not to open a business..... Albert Einstein was one of the smartest people to walk the face of this earth and he never ran for President or own a futune 500 company. But I guess only business people count in your eyes.

BTW, keep earning over 100K, My government needs more taxes and as the Republicans continue to break unions and drive down the wages of workers in America, people like you will get to foot the bill........

bwalley

What license do you have in Florida?

I can buy licenses in a bunch of other states if I wanted to.

westernexplorer

The one your not qualified to obtain, Bret.... State Certified Electrical Contractor.....by examination.

BTW, you cant buy the licenses I have

JustaFramer

Sometimes holding a card is the price you must pay to play with the big boys.

Hey I am glad you make over a 100k and are licensed in 3 trades. I don't nor care what your three trades are. I work for a GC that self performs alot of the work thier bid. I build hi-rises. You, I don't care what you do. The union doesn't force my employer to keep me employed. I make sure I keep myself employed. I live in a right to work state. Nobody but me makes sure I have money in my pocket.

All the small to medium sized builders are broke and bagging for work. I have not been without money. Thank God but I do ensure I keep my money flowing.

I adapted. You I have a feeling would be flat assed on your back in gutter when no one wants your product. Heres a quarter super size it would you bitch.

bwalley

I am A Building Contractor, A/C Contractor and Plumbing Contractor, I had to take an extensive test and pass it to get licensed.

I hire people to work for me and run off the whiners.

I am a hands on contractor, I don't have any of my people do anything that I can't do.

You are a Union framer, do you do anything other than wood framing?

JustaFramer

No I wouldn't. Having worked/contracted non-union for ten years of my career. I could not.


As a contractor you should look at union employees as a labor pool you can't get with a ad in the paper. You are not forced to keep a lazy employee. You can build a quality employee base. How many employees do you have that went to school to be a tradesman?

JustaFramer

Any what make you think it is any different?

Any no I am not at union framer. I was a non union residential wood framer. I am however a Union Carpenter. That means concrete to finish work. Currently I am doing FINISH WORK under self perform for a multinational GC.
So really tin bender I don't care. Go balance a system little man.

Brickie

As a former union member I would say stick with what works and stay away from the unions. Over 87% + of all construction workers in the US are NON-Union. Btw, if they bring their inflatible pet rat, do what I did. Get an inflatible CAT

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bwalley

If I hire a Union guy to do steel framing, is he going to do other crafts as well or just 1 craft?

I have my framer do both steel and wood, he cut concrete today, helped a laboror clean up some concrete, picks up trash or anything else that needs to be done, I am also teaching him A/C as well.

How would a Union worker handle the above scenario?

Celtic

What makes you think you can teach?

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