-
Thank you for visiting HeavyEquipmentForums.com! Our objective is to provide industry professionals a place to gather to exchange questions, answers and ideas. We welcome you to register using the "Register" icon at the top of the page. We'd appreciate any help you can offer in spreading the word of our new site. The more members that join, the bigger resource for all to enjoy. Thank you!
union, non-union and self employed poll
- Thread starter stumpjumper83
- Start date
ddigger
Senior Member
I am union, and self employed since 1989.
liebherr1160
Senior Member
Cant speak for other operating engineer's ..
Outta 793 I got dispatched through the hall ..how it all works is im employed by the operating engineer's .... the guy that owns the equipment is merely a ride im asigned to, a client ..at the end of the day im technicly laid off unless im requested by that client to attend the next day..and so on ..
With that it is arguable in labour court that I am infact self employed..my employment is only attainable by my standard of service to both the hall the client...
Its not as simple as being union ..your last job still dictate's wether you will get another ..
Outta 793 I got dispatched through the hall ..how it all works is im employed by the operating engineer's .... the guy that owns the equipment is merely a ride im asigned to, a client ..at the end of the day im technicly laid off unless im requested by that client to attend the next day..and so on ..
With that it is arguable in labour court that I am infact self employed..my employment is only attainable by my standard of service to both the hall the client...
Its not as simple as being union ..your last job still dictate's wether you will get another ..
Bully
Well-Known Member
Tag say it all...
I can't say enough good stuff about being an OE. Maybe I'm biased, being one of the bigger locals in the country, in the area that is pro-union. I can say it helps when your local works for you, and you and your brothers work for your local. I've been in 3 different maritime unions, and all have BIG stroke out on either coasts. But in the Great Lakes...pretty shabby. And frustrating as hell. Pensions are not even close to what I will be pulling as an operator. Insurance bennies are not even in the same league.
Just glad I have a chance to be part of a Union that I can use my shipside skills and also learn the landside skills to make my self more employable in either a land or sea construction project. We have one of the nicest, most modern traing sites in North America, and every time I go there makes me proud to say "We built that." I know every tradesman love to point out his work ....there a dozen streets and parking lots my kids just love to hear me exclaim "Daddy built that..."
I can't say enough good stuff about being an OE. Maybe I'm biased, being one of the bigger locals in the country, in the area that is pro-union. I can say it helps when your local works for you, and you and your brothers work for your local. I've been in 3 different maritime unions, and all have BIG stroke out on either coasts. But in the Great Lakes...pretty shabby. And frustrating as hell. Pensions are not even close to what I will be pulling as an operator. Insurance bennies are not even in the same league.
Just glad I have a chance to be part of a Union that I can use my shipside skills and also learn the landside skills to make my self more employable in either a land or sea construction project. We have one of the nicest, most modern traing sites in North America, and every time I go there makes me proud to say "We built that." I know every tradesman love to point out his work ....there a dozen streets and parking lots my kids just love to hear me exclaim "Daddy built that..."
Panhandler Bob
Well-Known Member
IUOE local 66. Been in sevarl unions over the years, USWA 1968-1974,CPWU 1975-1981, USWA Heavy & Hi-way1992-1997, Teamsters2006, IUOE 2006 till I cann't get in the seat! Lot of prevailin wage when I was not in a union, and some not so prevailin, a man gotta eat. IUOE, should've done it 40 year ago.:usa
Hendrik
Senior Member
I am self employed and have not been a union member in many years, I am not particularly pro or anti union but it has to be remembered why unions where formed in the first place. It was not because employers where treating their workers well.
dozerdave
Well-Known Member
I joined Local 3 in 1957 and have been paying dues ever since. Local 3 is north of RollOver Pete's Local 12. In all those years I was dispatched out of the hall 1 time. Then and maybe now a hand could rustle his own job as long as he had an A card. In 1957 union cat skinners were making $3.33 per hour. As a non union skinner I was making $15.00 a day for 10 or more hours and I went from a slide bar RD8 to a 14A. Years later a company sent me to Virginia on a project and that is when I found out what a super union Local 3 really is. Maybe some of the problem unions are out of control but remember all unions have elections.
Bajak
Active Member
- Joined
- Apr 22, 2009
- Messages
- 25
- Location
- Grey/Bruce Ontario
- Occupation
- Independent Owner/Operator with too much insurance
I'm self employed. Never in a union. One shop I worked at was considering bringing in a union and the owner said we could but that he would sell the company after that and we wouldn't know who we would be working for. The owner was/is a really fair and stand up kind of gentleman. He has employees that have been with him for over 35 years and many that have been retired with benefits and pensions.
I guess it all depends on the relationships built between owners and employees.
I guess it all depends on the relationships built between owners and employees.
412neal
Member
self employed , but started as a union employee so I have the rare option of seeing both sides
loaderman
Member
member local 793 toronto canada .I've been a member 30 years ,with unions you have rights, protection and securites, with wages overtime and pensions.
Bumpus
Well-Known Member
.
Non Union And Self Employed.
Don't need someone else telling me how to run my business much less some suit and tie lazy big head sitting in an office taking money out of my pocket every month so I can work.
Let them go find a real job on there own, and work for a living instead of living off of the sweat of others who do all of the real work ! ! !
.
Non Union And Self Employed.
Don't need someone else telling me how to run my business much less some suit and tie lazy big head sitting in an office taking money out of my pocket every month so I can work.
Let them go find a real job on there own, and work for a living instead of living off of the sweat of others who do all of the real work ! ! !
.
Tiny
Senior Member
Bumpus,I hope you edit your post as it will only stir "Stuff" and from what I have read the union / non union battle is frowned on
Tiny
Senior Member
Yes sir ,You did state your opinion.So don't be surprised when a union man speaks up, LOUDLY.
I'll never understand why some will say something on the internet that they wouldn't say standing in front of a real person.
I'll never understand why some will say something on the internet that they wouldn't say standing in front of a real person.
Buckethead
Senior Member
This forum is neutral ground, kind of like Switzerland. Personal attacks like that on the other person's union or non-union status are considered bad form. As are personal attacks in general.
Last edited:
willie59
Administrator
Coldfront
Active Member
I also was union local 701 in Chicago but have been non union for about 20 years now so I also saw both sides. The big plus for union was good pay and good benefits, health insurance, sick days, paid vacation, etc. non union = no insurance, no sick days, no paid vacation, pay not as good. The only plus was that I moved to gods country and live everyday where others go for vacation. There just are no union shops up here around me. But I am getting paid better than most mechanics around here @ $19.00 per hour.