being union you work for the company that is signed to a union contract and getting union work,working in a non-union shop is OK if you must but your union card means nothing on jobs and you need to keep up the monthly dues just incase you go back to a union shop.638B Metal Trades(servive mechanics) in NYC hires a helper/guy out of school...(SHOP)they have 45days to sign him into the union and get him union school training one day a week working the other 4 in the field...5 years of that and you become a journeyman and the big jump to scale $$$ and more responsibility.being a JM if you go into another union shop you just auto into the rate bennies and title.if the shop gets you into the union up there forget outside school being on jobs will be in your face training...working with a lead guy.if you have to wait on the union getting in that doesn't get you into a company they will have a list....so that is the twist get in the union wait on a list and slide out to a non union for now to work... till they call???

 

Thanks for the response. Just so I think I understand. If I go to trade school when I get hired by a company I still must due 5years for JM status. If company is associated with Union they have 45 days to get me in and I must attend school/training again. If in Union I can work for non union shop. If I get into Union after school I must wait for them to get me into a company with a union contract. That makes since because when I called the union they said they had people on the bench meaning like you said looking for employment with union contracted company. I am47years old in your honest opinion is this a field worth getting into at this age? I am looking for stable employment not being laid off every season etc. Thanks for your input.

 

keep in mind either it be a union or a company your going into you will have guys working towards getting top pay and training then you show up so it basically get on the line.your age isn't going to help when the guy interviewing you is younger or near that age and he has 20 years in the field and is the service manager.there are guys coming out of high school or floating around wondering what to do to make a buck,,,that is your competition.the field is very physical swinging 28' extension ladders against buildings toolin' up the ladders. are you anyways hands on with tools car, engines and doing trouble shooting with a meter on equipment even 12V car systems..say if were a maint.guy or ran a crew at the old job that is a selling point to a boss...the union stuff is for NYC area...some other states want you in before you apply...try to just get into a shop and see what field is don't juggle to much stuff at once...a union shop is a lot of who knows who and clicky....try craigslist RI..home page far right...skilled/craftman...type in HVAC view the companies looking for techs

 

The concept of being a union member and working in a non-union shop differs by state, province, and region. In my area, that idea is a non-starter.

My advice is to NOT pay a school, but instead, sign up for a union apprenticeship plan, where they cover your training costs and pay you to learn.