The local should be able to provide you with all that you're asking. Under the employer-union contract all 1st yr apprentices make the same and so on until you turn out. Your only expense is your dues. Your employer pays into the union funds for training, health care and the like. Once again, ask the local they can fill you in.

 

Well, I called the local - 1st year apprentices make:

$15.87/hr
-0.50 (Dues)
-5.31 (Health& Welfare)
-10% (Savings - that's 1.59) Don't know what "savings" is

That means I take home 8.47/hr minus taxes. That sure doesn't leave much. Is this about average?

 

Not here. 1st year 12.68 on the check with total package of $23.50.
The difference between on the check and total package are employer contributions and are your benefits.
You would be responsible to pay your dues. Here dues are $49/month.
Check out Sheet Metal Workers.

 

Hmmm. Each local is unique in thier contracts with the employers. As an example, under our contract with the union a 1st year apprentice "package" is $21.63/hr of which there are numerous deductions ending up with the apprentice seeing $12.47/hr on his check. Then it's his/her responsibility to pay the dues quarterly (not a lot in this local)

 

Despite what they withhold from your weekly paycheck for health and welfare .... if they would organize a strike over the freon issue, I'd join a union TODAY!!! I'd even stand on the line with a big ol sign in my hands!

"Give Me Freon, or Give Me Death!!!"

On the backside the sign could read;
"Restore The Three R's,
R-12, R-22 & R-502"


snicker, snicker....

 

check out 638 "Metal Trades" section for HVAC companies http://www.steamfitters.com

 

it's not what you will make now...it's what you will make in five years. hang in there.

 

Despite what they withhold from your weekly paycheck for health and welfare .... if they would organize a strike over the freon issue, I'd join a union TODAY!!! I'd even stand on the line with a big ol sign in my hands!

"Give Me Freon, or Give Me Death!!!"

On the backside the sign could read;
"Restore The Three R's,
R-12, R-22 & R-502"


snicker, snicker....

Let go R-12, and join the new millennium.

 

The dues and the savings come out of the check. Health and welfare should be paid by the employer. Ive never heard of it being different. The savings probably goes into a bank account you can draw on as you like.

Well, I called the local - 1st year apprentices make:

$15.87/hr
-0.50 (Dues)
-5.31 (Health& Welfare)
-10% (Savings - that's 1.59) Don't know what "savings" is

That means I take home 8.47/hr minus taxes. That sure doesn't leave much. Is this about average?

 

Your first three years will not make you rich. The local I am in starts at around 11-12 when you start school. You might make 15-16 after the third year. Years 4 and 5 are when the raises start to get big, 22-23 at year five. When you graduate, if your good you’ll hit the top of the scale 24 and up, under our present contract.

Your fifth year can actually be higher than what you make after graduation. It all depends on skill. These are envelope wages; retirement and health care are paid on top of that.

 

Real Pay

Forget the "per hour" business. Unions make you think their on your side but probably aren't. You can take any hourly rate but what will you make in a year? I was union and you don't get any holidays or vacation. Every week I heard "well there's nothing to do, go home" (after driving to jobs and fixing in a couple hours. Avg 20-30 hours/week. PLUS they were giving my money to Damnocrat candidates. Now I'm proud to be a non-union republican. I doubled my pay and have 401K, medical, dental, vacation. Union would be good if you get in young and work steadily.

 

Re: Real Pay

Forget the "per hour" business. Unions make you think their on your side but probably aren't. You can take any hourly rate but what will you make in a year? I was union and you don't get any holidays or vacation. Every week I heard "well there's nothing to do, go home" (after driving to jobs and fixing in a couple hours. Avg 20-30 hours/week. PLUS they were giving my money to Damnocrat candidates. Now I'm proud to be a non-union republican. I doubled my pay and have 401K, medical, dental, vacation. Union would be good if you get in young and work steadily.

no..look at the hourly,that is important. yearly pay depends on your skill level and overtime. not hard to hit the $80-90K in my area. not sure what the pay scale is in yours. your savings ($/per hr) is your vacation pay. you can get paid holidays as a perk if you are good. the other bennies are usually pretty good too. unions are on your side, whose side would they be on? the contractors?? unions are far from perfect. you will get out of it what you put in. make sure you learn the trade well, and you will always have a job. it's pretty simple if you are any good you will work steady. if you are not any good you will bounce from company to company. yes unions do contribute to the democrats. not that i have much faith in ANY candidate, the democrats are supposed to be looking out for the working class. if it wasn't for the unions setting the payscale "bar" high everyone would be working for peanuts, union or not.

 

local 602 washington dc, both the construction and service guys get nine paid holidays. every apprentice is guaranteed forty hours per week, even if you're sweeping the parking lot at the office. service techs get vacation, the contractors work out a plan with the shop steward. construction doesn't get vacation, they get double-time sundays.


1st year 13.17hr 17.98package
2nd 16.10hr 21.01package
3rd 18.31hr 24.42package
4th 21.13hr 27.34package
5th 22.54hr 32.89package
mechanic 28.17hr 38.52package

AND our raises are negotiated for us at the end of every contract.

 

Question to the posters referencing the damnocrats and the party of the working people. Can you "splain" this to me? Please type slow (I am a slow reader) and use small words (my spelling is weak) and complete sentences (tired of catchie phrases that lie).

Party for the "rich":
George Bush - net worth $10-20 million
Dick Cheny - net worth $50-70 million

Party for the "working people":
John Kerry - net worth $800-900 million
John Edwards - net worth $50 - 70 million

What am I missing?

Alex
Improve or become obsolete

[Edited by alex_in_fl on 07-14-2004 at 10:07 PM]

 

Mallron, you my friend are lucky enough to work in one of the best union areas in the country. Unfortunatelly there are locals in the country that don't have the representation that you have. Consider yourself one of the lucky ones.
Personal experience, having been born and raised in the DC Metro area and now in the Denver area.

 

too dammmm much!

 

Don't forget that you can negotiate above scale with the local union shop that hires you. I came into the union with over 10yrs of experience but wanted to go through the apprenticeship from 2nd yr on. I am still a 2nd year apprentice on paper but making 4th yr scale.

Remember... They can take away your truck and job, but they can never take away your education.

 

I think in your case that is excellent!!
but a lot of these kids know nothing and are lazy and do not even know what it is really like out here in the real world!

I think first year and second year should make less and get less benefits.
I know I will get ripped for that statement but it is how I feel!

 

To the OP.

Friend, it is gut-check time for you. This is a good field of work to be in. The inion will ensure that you get trained to a standard.

You and your family have to devide if you can handle a couple of lean years. The first couple years of apprenticeship are hard. You will probably get crappy, dirty jobs and not feel like you are beimng paid NEARLY enough.

However, after you complete your apprenticeship, you will make a good wage and have good benefits.

My advice to you. Tighten your belt and take the plunge.

 

words of wisdom!

 

04-09 what's the difference?