Should I stay or should i go???

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I have been offered a job/ apprentice with the Plumbers/Steamfitters Union.  They will bring me on as a 2nd or 3rd year appren.   I now work for a Multi National company as a Tig welder.  My problem is now I only make 13.69 an hour with the hopes of getting my yearly 2.4% raise.  If I join the Union I will start with about the same pay, but get a 10% raise for the 1st year then a 15% until it brings me up to Journeyman pay ( currently 31 and change an hour).  My current job is steady with no plans of slowing down or downsizing.  But if I join the Union I am afraid or layoffs and all of the other things that could go wrong.I need help in figuring out what I should do......Thanks
Reply:doesn't the union also take care of health care and such?
Reply:Take the job.  Sounds like a great deal, and besides, if they DO lay you off, you can always go BACK to what you were making at the previous job.  Just keep a bit of savings for if times get rough.  I wouldn't think twice.Have a Jeep Cherokee?  Click Here!
Reply:partagas, the construction field is a wonderful field and will provide for you well into the future. shutdowns usually last 5 days to 2 weeks. and greenfields and expansions last months to sometimes years. the pay is great plus you get per diem which varies by job. plus as part of the union, they will put money into your retirement, health and dental. yes it cost to be in a union but the cost is minimal compared to the pay being brought home. plus when a job ends you can draw unemployment until the next job. now when i was travelling we were bringing home like 1500 to 2000 weeks with perdiem and all. me and a buddy travelled together. after every job he was broke. i mean destitute until he got another check. i was the one financing all the moves for us. but it worked out and we made money and he got new chrome for his fatboy. i came home after 3 years or so with a pocket full of change and he is still out there chasing work. but this last time he came home he had 10k in his pocket and used it for a down payment on a travel trailer with a garage in the rear for his bike and gang boxes. it's like the army to me, either you are gonna like it or you won't. just stay away from the drugs and partying when on a job. my .02"Retreat hell, were just fighting in the other direction"Miller Trailblazer 302, Extreme 12 VS, Dimension 400, Spectrum 375, HF 251D-1, Milermatic 251 w/ spoolgun  Hypertherm 1000Lincoln sp 1702000 F-450 to haul it
Reply:The grass is always greener on the other side, but I would say how old are you and what are your commitments and obligations.  If you had a mortgage, wife and kid's, better stay with the sure thing, steady income.  If your young & single, the world is your oyster, go for it.How's that for few old idioms.Hobart 140 Handler w/ gasHyperTherm Powermax 380 Plasmaoxy/acetylene
Reply:Posts 4 and 5 sum it up.Your personal situation is the determining factor. If you're single, what are you waiting for...LOL. If you're married with non school age children, the family is mobile, take them with you. If you're married with school age children, only you and your spouse can make that decision. The road can be a good life, it all depends on your personal situation. Depending on the area the local covers, and what's going on within it's boundaries, you could be home ever weekend. When close work is slack you can put you name on other locals "out of work" lists and possibly never miss a beat. Shutdowns are usually 7 10's/12's until the jobs done, but you make good money so to many it's a great trade-off. There's too many variables to be able to say "stay or go". It's just another crossroad...Good Luck whichever you choose.Anything worth doing is worth doing RIGHT
Reply:I agree with posts 4,5 and 6.Married with kids? they are your first priority, not? invest in your future.Having said that what do you want to do?You cant be the husband/dad you could be if your miserable.A couple of quotes that are true spring to mind.Dont die wondering Most people lead their lives in quiet desperation.A good guess is better than a bad measurement
Reply:One nice thing about being a true union journeyman it holds a lot of weight on a resume. You could also do a little work on the side during shut downs if you have your own equipment. I worked for KRAFT foods for 7 years and I made great money 22.89 when I quit and my best year 64,500 with overtime. Now I work for myself and love it. I can make that kind of money with some days off. Union is kinda like working for yourself you work a lot and make a lot then you can get a little time off and you always get to do something diferent not stuck welding the same thing all day or repairing the same broken part two times a week in a rush. Good luck and remember you will always wonder! Steel Thunder Welding LLC. St. Thomas VI USAMM350PBOBCAT 3MAXSTAR 150 STH375 EXTREME PLASMA6.5 HP COMPRESORDEWALT 18, 24, AND 36 VOLTO/A TORCH SETAND SO MUCH MORE I DONT REMEMBERALL IN MY 2005 2500HD EXTENDED CAB L/B
Reply:Thank you all for you comments.  I am 40 years old only been welding for under 3 years, but family makes it hard for me to travel.  So being somewhat an old sod I am stuck to my local area.I hope to have a meeting with the guy today to see whats up.Again thanks.