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union, non-union and self employed poll

union, non-union, or self employed

  • Yes, I'm a union operating engineer or other union menber

    Votes: 97 24.3%

  • Yes, I'm non union and I work for someone else.

    Votes: 111 27.8%

  • Yes, I'm self employed

    Votes: 191 47.9%
  • Total voters
    399
Dwan Hall

Dwan Hall

Senior Member
I became a business first then joined the union. Business was 2 years old when I was offered a job for a co. that was union because of my equipment (bobcat & dump truck). I had to join to accept. Local 302 bylaws allow me to work any ware and anytime I want. I pay my dues a year in advance with no medical insurance. I gain benifits only when working union jobs. I am at the bottom of the lowest hire list because I don't actively look for union work.
You need to check in to your local but I bet that if you owned a piece of equipment and was to become a legal business as a owner/operator you could work ether union jobs as an operator or non union jobs as a business owner.

as far as a LLC I don't believe in hiding behind a name. I am responsible for my actions. (I know this is going to raise a few posts but should be covered in another thread.)


Dwan
 
P

PipeGuy

Well-Known Member
Digger you said my point well. Thank you. I don't have any proof of what I stated. I just see the bid tabs. I'm not union and when a union shop comes in and puts their number 20% below your cost there is something up. Either they are getting money from somewhere, or they will eventually go belly up. As for the investing of retirements and pensions, I have one question. Who is the one person that can spend your money the wisest? It should be you. I'm sorry I don't trust anyone with my money. If I was a union operator and my dues were going to pay some guys to go picket and blow up the inflatable rat. I would be mad as hell. How can you any union person be glad that they pay someone to go picket in front of a non union project. I think that there would be better uses for my dues if I were union.
 
Buckethead

Buckethead

Senior Member
PipeGuy said:
Digger you said my point well. Thank you. I don't have any proof of what I stated. I just see the bid tabs. I'm not union and when a union shop comes in and puts their number 20% below your cost there is something up. Either they are getting money from somewhere, or they will eventually go belly up. As for the investing of retirements and pensions, I have one question. Who is the one person that can spend your money the wisest? It should be you. I'm sorry I don't trust anyone with my money. If I was a union operator and my dues were going to pay some guys to go picket and blow up the inflatable rat. I would be mad as hell. How can you any union person be glad that they pay someone to go picket in front of a non union project. I think that there would be better uses for my dues if I were union.
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I have seen more than one picketed contractor sign up with the union. I don't see how picketing would cost the union a lot of money. All building trades unions I know of have both a defined benefit pension, and an annuity(works like 401K) I know a lot of guys who have retired from the various trades and they get pension checks monthly in addition to their social security.
 
insleyboy

insleyboy

Well-Known Member
local 324 Detroit Mi. 24 years union. Haven't been laid off in 20 years since I figured it all out. Show up EVERY day, keep your mouth shut, help out your fellow workers, and do your job well!
 
T

Tri-Star

Well-Known Member
Self employed here, been thinking of joining the union but the only thing that burns my a** is some joker who cant stick his thumb up his but much less run more than one machine makes the same as someone who can run multiple machine very well!!!!
 
Lashlander

Lashlander

Senior Member
Union wages were like prevailing wages. The minimum rate of pay for a given piece of equipment. Doesn't say anything about the maximum pay.
 
mitchell2905

mitchell2905

Well-Known Member
The first mine I worked at was Union, and they wouldn't let me work in the shop in the winter time when some guys got laid off so I would be forced to clean the office. I have a sour taste about unions ever since.:mad:
 
S

Sharky

Well-Known Member
Local 302, climbing up on 17,000 hrs. I worked non union for many years, then when the oportunity came, it was a win win situation for me. Benefits, retirement and steady work. The union has been good for me, however if I can't find union work, I will take work elsewhere, and not bat an eye. I will do what it takes to live.
 
CascadeScaper

CascadeScaper

Senior Member
Sharky said:
Local 302, climbing up on 17,000 hrs. I worked non union for many years, then when the oportunity came, it was a win win situation for me. Benefits, retirement and steady work. The union has been good for me, however if I can't find union work, I will take work elsewhere, and not bat an eye. I will do what it takes to live.
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You guys busy up there? A couple apprentices I know down here would love to make a run up there and work for a season or two. We can only work up there if all the apprentices in your area are out to work, only fair, but it would be an exeperience nonetheless. I'm happy where I'm at as long as the company I'm with keeps me busy, I like the crew I'm on and would like to stay where I'm at.
 
S

SKOAL

Active Member
self employed

all my union buddies are in the unenjoyment virtual reality line.the unions have lost all there pull in new york except for nyc and close nieghbors.
 
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