Union Apprentice Soliciting

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Union Members - Are all your apprentices allowed to solicit for work? If yes, what are the rules and regulations?I am a member (2nd yr apprentice) of the Sheet Metal Union in Las Vegas. Most apprentices recently called out have been on the list for atleast a year and a half. Out of work apprentices are called out from a list. The only way to get called out of order, is by specialty (CAD, Stainless, Testing & Balancing, Refrigeration, welding certs.) As apprentices, only 5th yrs are allowed to solicit for work. This prevents employees from loading up on cheaper labor. I brought this up to a board member, who said "they thought about it, but haven't figured out how to make it fair, and with the correct verbiage."So, I am just trying to see how others handle this, and maybe I can propose something.
Reply:I remember those out of work lists when I was an apprentice working for the union, I am still with the union as a journeyman welder. It is tough waiting for a call especially when you have a family to support. The only respectful thing to the union if you absolutely must work is to take a job that is not relevant to the line of work that you are doing within the hall while still remaining on the list. What I am suggesting is almost like being an in employed welder who is on an out of work list waitin for a call but getting work as something like a janitor or some other form of work complete seperate from the union - because you still need to make ends meet as well as respect the union you are working for and respect them enough that you will work something completely different than what they offer while still being dependant upon them. I may have mis understood your post however
Reply:Blue - while on the list as an apprentice were you allowed to solicit your own work? If yes, how was that governed by the Union? I am guessing that some unions allows apprentices to solicit, ours does not. I am out of work, but I want to solicit my own work? I don't want to sit on the list waiting. I go to the school more than other apprentices, to learn, and it shows. I want to knock on the doors of our signatory contractors and show them my skills, or if lack there of, then my efforts. As union members we are allowed to propose changes to the Union Agreement, and have a vote during the union meetings. Although I am on the list, I am applying for work in other trades/fields. Even if I do find work elsewhere I would still like to solicit my work. There are many reasons why, the most important, I am proud to be a union member.
Reply:Just to be clear, my goal is to get a proposal drafted (written),and submit it to the Union Board members. How is it stated in your Union Agreement?
Reply:Doesn't the sheet metal worker union have reciprocal agreements between all the locals?  With the boilermakers here, if there 's no local work, then the apprentice can travel to a different province.
Reply:Sparks - yes, I think we're allowed to travel. Sometimes others states will call for workers.Last edited by toolbox; 08-15-2013 at 01:53 PM.Reason: Tone
Reply:I think I have a slight idea of what you're talking about As an apprentice on the books you are not allowed to look for other work, you have to be sitting on the books whether you don't work for over a year or whatever. If I understand it correctly.Sometimes working in Unions isn't a win, win situation for everyone. I have everything positive to say about the Union, but sometimes a guy does need the work to feed his family and he just cannot be unemployed for very long, which is very highly understandable. I would personally go in and talk to the head members as well as ask other brothers and sisters around you what they would do in the same situation regarding work. But it is a very delicate subject when it comes to working Union because they do not want guys working elsewhere when you're a member, regardless if you have no work on the books or whatever the situation may be.
Reply:I'm not just looking for work. I want to change the union agreement. That way I can solicit to Sheet Metal Union Employers.Union to union. What does your Union Agreement state?Last edited by toolbox; 08-15-2013 at 04:57 PM.
Reply:I don't want to sit on the list waiting. I go to the school more than other apprentices, to learn, and it showsTell those in charge how much better you are than the other apprentices & I bet they'll move you to the head of the line
Reply:Originally Posted by Old SkoolI don't want to sit on the list waiting. I go to the school more than other apprentices, to learn, and it showsTell those in charge how much better you are than the other apprentices & I bet they'll move you to the head of the line
Reply:And this is one of the reasons why I told the Ironworkers to shove it up there a$$.....Your telling me I have to get a job outside my trade to feed my family or sit on the bench and be a hall rat, up yours.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:Originally Posted by TozziWeldingAnd this is one of the reasons why I told the Ironworkers to shove it up there a$$.....Your telling me I have to get a job outside my trade to feed my family or sit on the bench and be a hall rat, up yours.
Reply:I'm a union boilermaker and they can call you by name no matter where you are on the "list ".
Reply:Originally Posted by TozziWeldingAnd this is one of the reasons why I told the Ironworkers to shove it up there a$$.....Your telling me I have to get a job outside my trade to feed my family or sit on the bench and be a hall rat, up yours.