Joining The Union With Some Experience???

ko_jun

i'm debating if i should join the union. i get decent pay right now. the union around here starts at $13/hr. which i will be taking a paycut. i have 1 year worth of experience and was thinking if i joined the union would my work hours count or would i have to start from scratch with the union??

i tried calling them earlier today but got only an answering machine and left a message but didnt get a response back, yet.

mdshunk

They will indeed count 'time served' and bring a man into the apprenticeship during whatever 'year' it seems prudent to do so. That said, you've only got a year. That's basically nothing. Expect to start from scratch. If you had 4 or 5 years, they might knock off a year or two.

Peladu

In my area, you need I think 2 years of college, or at least some college credit, to become an union apprentice electrician.
There's usually an entrance exam also.
Your previous time may not matter at all to them, in my area it wouldn't.
A faster route for you may be to find a union electrical who may be willing to sponsor you through the apprentice program. This will speed up the process, because they are most likely sitting on a list of guys who are waiting to get into the program.
But the time you have already invested most likely will not place you any hire than the entry level ... once again, in my area that's the case.

sparkie5

Around here, in the midwest, one needs, to apply:

* 1 high school year algebra OR 1 semester college algebra. Prove you live in the jurisdiction of that local via driver's license or similiar.

*Take a shower, comb hair and then DRIVE to the local apprenticeship school and ask for an application.(They may only pass out appls at certain days/hours).

*Take appl. home, fill out completely and then.....drive back and submit appl.

*Apprenticeship school will be getting your transcripts direct from high school/college, look over app and if you meet minimium, then call you for a appt for an aptitude test. Not yo normal one either. This is a test made by the NJATC (National Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee).

I've taken numerous aptitude tests but this one was tough. They'll give your a sample test book. Master it and more if you can. Somehow they even made the reding comprehension part tough. (Maybe they toned it down some now). So, you might not do well, but give it a shot and you maight be surprized. (I was convinced I failed it but they called me for interview. I actually said, "No way, I didn't pass that test!". I guess most of people failed it MORE than me)

*Get call for interview appt.

*Go to interview, usually it is a panel from the apprenticeship committee.

*wait to see if you made the yearly cut. They may only make decisions once a year so this can take awhile but I believe definitely worth it.

Union or not, I say yes but what state you live in and local customs may factor into it. One obvious one is north vs south. (No slam to south intended).

Good Luck....I have many good people that have my back and will back me up if I ask.