Discussion on Mike Holt - Union Contractor smoked me
ra...@myrealbox.com
deleted from Mike Holt's forum. 4 expert replies were permanently
lost, one made it to me via PM (private message). The original post is
edited here for current events.
Union contractor smoked me yesterday.
I was spotted using a protractor (dial gauge) with 1/2" emt. After
discussing my experience with a concerned contractor, he kindly
explained that my great attitude made it difficult, but my union pay
rate of journeyman did not match the skill level he was accustomed to.
This was strange since, I installed plenty of EMT that week, saved
lots of time & material coordinating with framers, with no complaints
on code-compliance or productivity.
Most IBEW union labor attend the same 5 year indentured apprenticeship
and NJATC military-boys school, before receiving prevailing-pay rates
per bargaining agreement. This cookie-cutter mold has resulted in
union contractors never asking for a resume or interview, nor
providing any warnings, paper trail, or reason for termination. Union
shops are just like temp agencies that turn most people over after
each job, but when I was organized into the union and my journeyman
skill set didn't match this contractors needs, differing from the
traditional NJATC programs, somehow I stood out like a sore thumb.
Despite liking my attitude, the lack of an interview really hurt me,
since this contractor striked my termination as "Unsatisfactory,"
rather than "reduction in force". Last year the IBEW president
declared, despite any excellence in prior service, two such strikes
will permanently terminate employment eligibility with the
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW).
When I told this contractor, "your judgment must be based on lots of
experience", and asked, "is there something I can learn from this" he
told me, "there wouldn't have been a problem if you hired on at 70-80%
apprentice rates", and "if you want to work that out with your union
I'll take you back".
I have tried both saying nothing, and immediately clarifying my
background and skill set with union contractors, who can hand out
strikes without warning, for any cause they see fit. Divulging my
background invites unwelcome scrutiny that annoys some foremen, who
told me I don't need to volunteer that information on my next job, but
I think honestly may prevent a strike.
Honesty may be necessary for my livelihood, retirement contributions,
and health benefits, if I don't want to remain in constant jeopardy of
another strike, without warning, or paper trail? Or as some foremen
have suggested, should I just not divulge my background, and not worry
about strike #2.
ra...@myrealbox.com
in Feb-2006. This kind of expert opinion was an invaluable response to
this issue, and would have been lost when moderators deleted the
entire thread, if not for the author sending it to me privately.
Private Message Notification
Subject: Termination
celtic just sent you (ramsy) a Private Message at Mike Holt's Code
Forum.
Here is the message sent by celtic:
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[QUOTE]Last year the IBEW president declared, despite any excellence
in prior service, three such strikes will permanantly terminate
employment eligability with the International Brotherhood of
Electrical Workers (IBEW). [/QUOTE]
The exact langauge is slightly different:
[QUOTE]An applicant who is discharged for cause three times within a
12-month period shall be referred to a neutral member of the Appeals
Committee for a determination as to the applicants continued
eligibility for referral[/QUOTE]
See:4.13(b)
In spite of what you "think" you have read from Mr. Hill's letter - HE
is NOT the be all - end all. I have nothing against Mr. Hill, nor am I
"bad apple" trying to over turn the apple cart...just read your
Collective Bargining Agreement(CBA) - the exact language and remedy/
relief is contained in it.
You would need to be terminated 3x in a 12-month period FOR CAUSE.
First determine what "CAUSE" means...and it is NOT beCAUSE the
employer said so.
Unless, of course, you are one those drunken hooligans that plays the
"hide-and-seek-for-a-grand-a-week" game. If this is the case, it will
catch up to you.
If on the other hand, you did not match this anticipated level of
"skill" - IMMEADIATLEY notify your agent of your "lack of skill" and
see what the hall will do to improve your "skills". The hall will not
appreciate that a signatory contractor does not have faith in the
workforce the contractor has paid for to be trained.
The hall will also not appreciate that the contractor is "making their
own deals" that is in direct conflict with the CBA. Your rate is the
MINIMUM you will accept - working for a lower rate/different
classification would put YOU in a bad position with the hall. A weekly
time-sheet that is submitted to the hall - to ensure proper benefit
moneys, etc - are being deducted and forwarded to the proper offices
will reveal that in about a week.
I am sorry to tell you this - but it might be your own fault:
[QUOTE] ....using a protractor (dial guage) for 1/2" EMT.[/QUOTE]
It's 1/2" pipe...I would be ticked off to see one of my guys using a
protractor on 1/2". Save the fancy tools for the big pipes. The name
of the game with 1/2" is "slam-bam-thank you 'mam". That pipe can be
tweeked by hand in place - you are wasting time using anything more
than a torpedo level and a tape measure/stick rule on it.
I am sorry to tell you that - but that is how I see it. Would I have
bagged you? Probably not...BUT...I probably would have told you to put
the protractor where the sun don't shine (in your toolbox).
Lastly, this forum is not really a good venue for a debate on why an
employeer terminated an employee. It is for discussions of electrical
work .
Your local/local brothers may have website where an open discussion of
your situation might be recieved with more candor. If not, try ANY
locals site - some require more log-in info than others (card number
or not)..try
http://www.mylocal3.com/Board/index.php
...granted Local 3 is on the other side of the country (NYC), but
Local 3 is a fairly HUGE local and the board is quite active.
Good luck.
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