Q: Felonies and UA Apprenticeship?

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I'm currently attending a welding program in Phoenix and am interested in applying for an apprenticeship with the UA Local 32. (I'll be moving back to Seattle after finishing this program.)  I've got a criminal record and am a convicted felon. I'm wondering if this will hurt my ability to get into the apprenticeship program. So, if anyone has any experience with the UA and can give me some feedback it'd be very much appreciated. Thanks.
Reply:I would suggest contacting them to discuss your question and if they reject you for their apprentice program based on your record I wouldn't want anything to do with them in the first place.http://ualocal32.com/index.phphttp://ualocal32.com/about/training.phphttp://www.seattlepipetrades.org/default.aspxIf you can't get into their apprentice program, you could always apply for an Officer or Business Agent position.Wishing you great success in the welding program and your future.  Congratulations on getting back on track and staying the course.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:Being a felon isn't as big of a deal anymore. You can get a felony over really lame stuff now days. My little brother got a felony for resisting arrest with violence. I don't know how they charge people with a straight face. He got in trouble for riding a 4 wheeler on side of the road to get gas and they pepper sprayed him and that was the violence. I have another brother that while working got some tile out of a dumpster.  Then I have a felony for driving on suspended license. You can get felonies expunged from your record depending on the state laws where you were convicted. Where I am at the have a sort of auto clemency where you get all your rights back except gun rights after you serve your time and pay all fines or restitution. Gun rights you have to go in front of clemency board after 8 years or 10 years to get it expunged.
Reply:Hello TurnEmAndBurzum, "most" of the time it will not be an issue to getting in, however, if you are required to work on port facilities, the Naval yard or other security sensitive installations you will not be able to do that because you cannot qualify for the TWIC card that is required. Now,there may have been some changes to this process as I have heard that you can go through a special application process and possibly qualify anyway. Good luck and best regards, Allanaevald
Reply:The biggest issue would be working in secure areas. Everywhere I work now I wouldn't be able to get into with a felony - even if I was being escorted and didn't have to get a site ID they still wouldn't  allow me in. That's just in my experience. There are sites around here where I've had employees get send back with an expunged felony conviction. Still dont understand how that works but arguing with security agents never turns out well.1980 Lincoln SA-250.1521976 Lincoln R3S-6001978 Hobart G-213Hobart Titan 8TA Hefty 2Thermal Arc 211iCutmaster 42
Reply:Yea Allan I think there may be at least some exceptions regarding TWIC as another member (in Houston area IIRC) with a felony record was having difficulty landing a job after getting out of welding school and he has a TWIC card.  The "government" contract job rules were sighted as the reason no one would hire him up to that point.I recall his situation ticking me off as once again the government has a double standard when it comes to matters such as this.  By those in government making such rules, they are in essence admitting government mandated programs (rehabilitation) don't work - even when they do. MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:go to the twic site and check the look back periods and applicable crimes and see if you fall under the radar.   I got a twic card and I had a federal mailing address  for a period of time.  trust me,  you have plenty of company.   they probably eased up on the requirements because they could not find enough people to work in the ports.  lolas far as a apprenticeship goes, I would not tell anyone, anything.  if they run you at some point and find you took a hit you are no worse off than before and you probably got some paid for training.if you tell them don't expect anyone to be too sympathetic.  I am sure you are going to hear some BS from other posters;  do what's best for you and yours.  let the rest worry about themselves.Last edited by fdcmiami; 05-30-2014 at 03:32 PM.
Reply:Thanks for the responses -I really should just call and ask them.  Regarding the TWIC, I was looking into the merchant marine for awhile and I seem to remember meeting the requirements for my TWIC but having trouble with the actual Merchant Mariner Credentials. I never actually applied for either, but it would probably be worthwhile to obtain my TWIC being around the Puget Sound.  I may have to work a bit harder to get started out but it doesn't sound like I'm the only ex-felon that ever welded so that's good to hear.  Thanks again.
Reply:Originally Posted by TurnEmAndBurzumThanks for the responses -I really should just call and ask them.  Regarding the TWIC, I was looking into the merchant marine for awhile and I seem to remember meeting the requirements for my TWIC but having trouble with the actual Merchant Mariner Credentials. I never actually applied for either, but it would probably be worthwhile to obtain my TWIC being around the Puget Sound.  I may have to work a bit harder to get started out but it doesn't sound like I'm the only ex-felon that ever welded so that's good to hear.  Thanks again.
Reply:Originally Posted by duaneb55If you can't get into their apprentice program, you could always apply for an Officer or Business Agent position.
Reply:Got a friend who got 3 3rd degree felonies in one night. 1st is shooting a cat fish with a .22. 2nd is dragging a run over alligator out of the road from being hit more. 3rd being resistance of arrest by not shutting his truck off when he went to get arrested for all thisSent from my C811 4G using Tapatalk
Reply:Intel does background checks also. Had a buddy laid off for bad credit at finance building retro.  Depends,  locals will take you in, you might not to work everywhereSent from my SGH-M919 using TapatalkLong after the price is forgotten, the quality will remain.Both of my Poppy's 1954 Short Hoods -Third generation to weld with it and teaching a fourthSA 2## - Bought and sold more than I can remember or care to list, 8 in the shop right now
Reply:Originally Posted by TurnEmAndBurzumI'm currently attending a welding program in Phoenix and am interested in applying for an apprenticeship with the UA Local 32. (I'll be moving back to Seattle after finishing this program.)  I've got a criminal record and am a convicted felon. I'm wondering if this will hurt my ability to get into the apprenticeship program. So, if anyone has any experience with the UA and can give me some feedback it'd be very much appreciated. Thanks.
Reply:I think its required here in CaliSent from my SGH-M919 using TapatalkLong after the price is forgotten, the quality will remain.Both of my Poppy's 1954 Short Hoods -Third generation to weld with it and teaching a fourthSA 2## - Bought and sold more than I can remember or care to list, 8 in the shop right now
Reply:I agree that a felony record is not as critical as it once was. This is due in part to the way modern statutes have been written For example, it's a felony to steal a sign from a federal park. While it's not something that I would ever do, it's not a violent crime. I think that felonies should be reserved for crimes of violence. In the time of King Henry the Eight, all felonies were crimes against the King or against the King's property. The penalty was death and forfeiture of all of the condemned person's property. His family was ruined as well and forbidden from owning or renting property. This was called a Bill of Attainder, where crimes of a member of a family would taint the entire family. That is one of the issues along with ex post facto (charging a person with a crime for an act that was not a crime at the time that it was committed)/ Those two crimes were removed by the United States Constitution at the time that it was written. Good luck to the OP. Keep trying!Miller Millermatic 252Miller Syncrowave 200Liincoln AC-DC 225Victor O-A Set
Reply:Being a felon or DUI means nothing to me.  It just means you were caught doing the same thing most of us did anyway.  If youv'e changed your ways, you are much more of a known quanity than someone who is still trying to hide it.  Do you have any references that will stand up for you, especially like the DA, or any law enforcement? I have a friend who works in a company where felons are not allowed because the DA stood up fpr him.
Reply:Originally Posted by fdcmiamigo to the twic site and check the look back periods and applicable crimes and see if you fall under the radar.   I got a twic card and I had a federal mailing address  for a period of time.  trust me,  you have plenty of company.   they probably eased up on the requirements because they could not find enough people to work in the ports.  lolas far as a apprenticeship goes, I would not tell anyone, anything.  if they run you at some point and find you took a hit you are no worse off than before and you probably got some paid for training.if you tell them don't expect anyone to be too sympathetic.  I am sure you are going to hear some BS from other posters;  do what's best for you and yours.  let the rest worry about themselves.
Reply:giving yourself up on the job application is a tricky situation. where i work you can get through if you have a record and tell them. when they get around to doing the actual cbi (which could be a year later) and found you lied on the application they will fire you.i.u.o.e. # 15queens, ny and sunny fla
Reply:[QUOTERumor is there is supposed to be a lot of work in the PHX area for fitters right off have you looked at the local out of the PHX?][/QUOTE]     Honestly I really hate it here, haha. No offense to anybody that lives in AZ but it's just not for me. I came down to take care of a five year old DUI (which was a felony due to my license being suspended when I was pulled over.)  I've been here nearly a year, did my four months in DUI prison, and am on probation for 10 more months, get my license back in December.  Figured I'd make the best of my time in the desert by going to school for a trade. So that's why I'm in Phoenix; didn't want to be here in the first place but I really needed to clear up my past mistakes before I can get on with my life.
Reply:Originally Posted by TurnEmAndBurzum[QUOTERumor is there is supposed to be a lot of work in the PHX area for fitters right off have you looked at the local out of the PHX?]
Reply:I can't own a gun, or vote in AZ. They treat it like any other felony and I had to go to an actual prison for four months.  It is what it is.
Reply:Originally Posted by TurnEmAndBurzumI came down to take care of a five year old DUI (which was a felony due to my license being suspended when I was pulled over.)  I've been here nearly a year, did my four months in DUI prison, and am on probation for 10 more months, get my license back in December.  Figured I'd make the best of my time in the desert by going to school for a trade. So that's why I'm in Phoenix; didn't want to be here in the first place but I really needed to clear up my past mistakes before I can get on with my life.