The Union Antics

Bkessler

I need to stay out of the union discussions, your right in what you post. I have lot's of buddies in the 58 They are all real good electricians and still working. But there is the "half empty version as well". I know Slugs are not kept around just like in open shops, I also know if I were a slug I would be a union slug. There are negative aspects to the union, I admit I have a subjective view, just like you.

grizl

Along with a morning chant. They did a goodbye chant on Friday, where they all lined up facing us and yelled to the top there lungs. I couldn't understand them, but it got me to turn around. meh

oldrivers

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its kind of a complicated system . Trades such as elecricans and plumbers require licenes what do you do if theyre all union ? you either pay or dont build period. and if you dont unionioze certain govt lawmakers can and do cut you out of govt spending projects. ive seen many times where a govt lawmaker mandates only unions do jobs or thery wont pass the project. i bet you didnt know that the term outsourcing applies to everyone that is not union. yep if your non union they wont let you have the work regardless if your foreign or american. bush tried making it so everyone could share more of the wealth get in on govt spending jobs but the unions said no way. so when youir favorite democrat senator stands up and says no outsorcing you think it applies to foreigners but it also applies to many americans that are non union. if your non union and vote democrat your voting against yourself in that way but probably dont know it cause of the miss conception that outsorcing applies to only foriegners.

but anyways if a trade reqires a licsenses and they all unionize they kind of have you over the barrel one way or the other nice little assist from the govt mandating liscenses.

Celtic

I don't know where you get your info from, but it is NOT 100% correct.

As a licensed EC here in NJ, I can have 60,000 electricians working for me under MY license - they need, at most, just a DL to get to/from the job sites.

Some States have language of similar nature - some don't.

"Blaming" it on the Unions is not fair, as the accusation is inaccurate.

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neolitic

There.
I only cut out out the parts that were
erroneous....
or just plain wrong.

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Put your location in your profile!
(Sorry....it seems there really are dumb questions)

oldrivers

well not so easy , the state might not have any particular requirments of their own but that doesnt mean that they didnt empower other agencies over you their rules and regs. id have a hard time believing you can do what you say because i find it hard to believe the generals contractors state mandated general liability insurance would allow you to. you see it wasnt the state that stopped you it was the insurance company they empowered that could in that case and with enough influance whos to say what mandated rules they can enforce on general contarctors what it takes to keep coveragae or lose it . believe me i know the game unions protect eachother all the time however they can and with any means they can , inspectors are also union so they can red tag jobs for cough cough reasons not actualy related to the work itself but whos doing it they dont like.

union influance to join is a whole different story union dues= campaign donations = guarunteed contracts and now possibly guarunteed pensions backed by who else the tax payers. can you say buy elections??

Celtic

What's next?
Man never set foot on the moon?

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jbfan

I am neither pro or anti union. In the state of Ga, as an Ec, I only need one license, mine and I can can have every other electrician in the state work for me. There are no rules that state I even have to oversee the work.

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We are the people (our parents warned us about) (Jimmy Buffett)

Celtic

I'm guessing it's pretty much like NJ in Ga. in this aspect.....just make sure the your insurance premiums are paid!

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oldrivers

no rules, where is this fantasy land?? there are also no rules limiting OSHA an attorney , workers comp , the IRS a general contractor or a union if you have a contract with them, if and when they decide to come after you for something.

bert0168

I think he means there is no specific RULE that requires him to physically be on the job to supervise.

Oldrivers, as for your statements regarding the unions and political power.....

I am not a union member but have a brother who is IBEW. In larger cities what you say is absolutely true. Why do you think the unions vote strictly democrat? Talking to my brother about it makes my head spin. On some issues I liken the union membership to a bunch of lemmings, towing the union line regardless. Don't get me wrong, I am sure there are some who don't (or say they don't) but I guarantee you, for example, not one of them would dream of doing something like showing up to a jobsite in anything other than what they regard as an "American" built auto (unless they had several spares in the trunk).

But when it comes to bullying me on the job or trying to take food off my table, watch out!

rbsremodeling

DC is the same way Master electrician can have any bum work under his license as an employee.

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Mellison

Labor unions were started for a good and neeeded reason. ie. the Triangle shirt waste fire. But have since, sometimes go to far. I was trained as a carpenter while a union apprentice and I appreciate my time spent as a union carpenter. However, there is no argument from me that some labor unions or its members take advantage. I have seen it myself.
Then again I am management now so my opinion is skewed.

Celtic

Here is another reason: corporate greed.

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grizl

Yes they are still at it. But as the days go on it becomes clear who getting work done and who's not.
Here is how we've been F'n with em'.
My coworker has a loud annoying siren, sounds like a firedrill from the sixties. It's a grey box with flashing lights. Every morning we put the thing right out buy em. hilarious. first day they called the cops and we told em it was a safety device. So, basically we can keep it on. good times good times.
there is serious talk of making signs to put by em'. meh

grizl

can anyone tell me what is up with the video taping????
i mean i get it, but, they will tape us work all day, two cameras, even when nothings going on. they even tape us on break!

oldrivers

they're probably trying to catch you violating osha laws wich are so vague sometimes you cant possbly make it through the day without breaking any. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ .

nap

are you sure there is even tape in the cameras?

It may simply be cameras are placed there to unnerve you.

olddriver could be correct as well. No way to tell.

grizl

I was talking to my dad today, he sounded down about the whole thing, for once I had to tell him it would be all right. Companies that we've been working with for years are now hesitant to use us. They don't want the problems. Another job that was for the city might get denied because, being for the city, they don't want the problems. go union

nap

Well, I hate to sound like I am trying to make you go union but as you said before, your pay and bene;s is comperable to union pay and bene;s so why argue this thing? I know it would look like you caved but in reality, I am sure all you want is to do your work and go home to your family and not have to deal with the ruffians.

what is the reasoning for not going union?