union stigma

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gotta question for those of you in unions or knowledgeable about unions, because ive noticed this stigma in other places where there is unions, just wondering if it applies to welding unions toobasically, ive noticed that some places are reluctant to hire union people in other industries  when they choose to find work in their field outside of a union because they view them as lazy, because they have the union to cover them when their lazy or slow or unskilled i dont agree with this prejudice personally, but i was wondering how the common perception is in the welding industry since i havent had much contact with union welders sofar
Reply:its prolly not how they preceive them, but the company gets scared cuz you might bring that union **** over there and make em get out there check books....lol....but most non union shops are scared to death of the unions because they dont have people fighting them every step of the way and they will if there shop goes union!!!! as far as the lazy ****, thats just an accuse or something, i know there are some unions giving bad names, but if you look at the trades unions, you wont find a more skilled and harder working bunch, and this is from a guy thats seen it first hand. i worked in a union shop that hade the trades come in for some jobs and them guys know wtf is up
Reply:It is a prejudiced just like judging based on race or sex.Here in Alaska most of the other shop owners or steel erectors I talk to will think twice be fore hiring  Oil Patch workers from the North Slope. The guys that work too long up there become unmotivated some times. They end up working at speed of the workers at a government office.  Not all but enough that the reputation proceeds them.Like most stereotypes, they start at some level being true.
Reply:Let me add this I have had many crews out of the local 751 that would smoke any non union crew I have ever seen. This year I can't find a Inonworker that can run a weld to save their life.
Reply:+1 on Hammerwelder's post,  Just remember you will have to start somewhere to gain experience and you may have to take some **** at first, I would highly recommend union over no union as they generallly pay better with better benefits, However some small non union contractors may treat you very good. Union's have rules and people to keep and eye on your back as far as working conditions and safety equipment. They also have inner circles that get taken care of.  In the end you best allie is you, take care of your skills and reputation by being on time every day or at least consistently, do a good job and don't be lazy. Give a good days work for a good days pay. do this for a time and you will make connections and have no trouble keeping a job."Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum"Lincoln Idealarc 250 AC/DCMillermatic 251   Syncrowave 300   30A spoolgunLincoln MP210Hypertherm 45(2) LN 25(2) Lincoln Weldanpower 225 CV(4) SA200   1 short hood    SA250    SAM 400
Reply:I am in the operators union and take great pride in the fact.I have done time at non-union jobs for years before I signed up.The thing I enjoy the most is that there is the contract,a rule book,that protects the worker and tells them exactly what they can and can't expect.I cant remember how many times some non-union boss fired a good worker for no reason other than the boss didn't get laid last night.Not so in a union shop.You show up on time,do an honest days work and you keep you job! Nobody cares about your race,your haircut,or if your knuckles drag the ground.As long as you do the quality of work that your union says you are capable of doing, you keep your job.It shames me when the dispatch hall is empty and a big job is yelling for more people and the hall sends some loser that couldn't hit his a$$ with both hands that calls himself an operator.I have called and gone of on business agents when they do that.It makes the union look bad and it makes me look bad.Usually,when you call the hall for a skilled worker you will get one worth the money.You hire off the street,you gamble.tractor,loader.dozer,backhoe,and all the tools to keep em movin
Reply:Originally Posted by 1-800minerI am in the operators union and take great pride in the fact.I have done time at non-union jobs for years before I signed up.The thing I enjoy the most is that there is the contract,a rule book,that protects the worker and tells them exactly what they can and can't expect.I cant remember how many times some non-union boss fired a good worker for no reason other than the boss didn't get laid last night.Not so in a union shop.You show up on time,do an honest days work and you keep you job! Nobody cares about your race,your haircut,or if your knuckles drag the ground.As long as you do the quality of work that your union says you are capable of doing, you keep your job.It shames me when the dispatch hall is empty and a big job is yelling for more people and the hall sends some loser that couldn't hit his a$$ with both hands that calls himself an operator.I have called and gone of on business agents when they do that.It makes the union look bad and it makes me look bad.Usually,when you call the hall for a skilled worker you will get one worth the money.You hire off the street,you gamble.
Reply:Originally Posted by Fat BastardLet me add this I have had many crews out of the local 751 that would smoke any non union crew I have ever seen. This year I can't find a Inonworker that can run a weld to save their life.
Reply:FB, just an opinion, any sample of people usually works out in similar fashion. A few that always just excell and you never hear from them, a larger group that just get the job done and you mostly don’t hear from them either, and a few you have to spend all day keeping out of trouble. I have a condlusion, (not mine) "some days are better than others". I also have a feeling you know these things, and this is just a bad season for your luck!As for "salting" a contractor those days are pretty much done, as the sharp contractors sue the local officials, cousins, children etc., and the parent organization can't provide any help if the local officials did indeed "salt" the group.As for "boom outs", they are usually some of the the best help you can get, but if you expect them to stay with you, "you may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer". That is not a reason not to hire IMHO but some poeple have their ways.I still can't judge an individual about the choices made in how they make a go for themselves, just what I see in front of me.How come none of these threads never discuss "bad managers".? And no one wonders about how with this mess in the Gulf. We have two managers with similar educations, similar networks (which doesn't include the phone number for the fellow who can plug a hole a mile deep). And yet cheer for a particular "home team" not realizing how stupid it all really is...Matt
Reply:Depends on the union really and the area but my experience with the UFW, UAW, CWA, and Teamsters leaves allot to be desired having grown up in a union state and city and worked within three of those unions in the past and dealt with another during a strike situation.  Problem though is that you will generally only hear about the negative incidents as opposed to the positive experiences.
Reply:Originally Posted by sky hy ironman----OUCH!- time to give grief to the BA for those slugs--it's all about P.R.-what type of rep do you have coming out of the hall, what type of rep does the outfit have, job ticket request should have specified for a good welder, certified or not. Taking for granted you know that when requesting a man and being certified doesn't mean your good, you just passed a test, just like a drivers license. Are things that busy upthere, that you you get the hall's leftovers. Give me a PM if like. Sky Hy out.
Reply:Originally Posted by Fat BastardMy needs were expressed quite clearly, trust me I needed only learn that lesson once.
Reply:There are dog-fookers everywhere, union or non. Problem with them in a union is they are like hemorrhoids,  a PITA to get rid once they're are in. And they piss off those that are good works. This is part of what promotes anti-unionism with non union works. 6 of one.......200amp Air Liquide MIG, Hypertherm Plasma, Harris torches, Optrel helmet, Makita angle grinders, Pre-China Delta chop saw and belt sander, Miller leathers, shop made jigs etc, North- welders backpack.