• 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

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

EGS

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 27, 2009
Messages
577
Location
Southern Wisconsin
Occupation
Local 139 operator
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.

Where you at in Wisconsin?
 

Mavrickxxx

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 18, 2010
Messages
74
Location
Queensbury ny
Occupation
Excvation n landscaping
I'm self employed I used toto wrk for a non union company we always got prevaling wage and insurance. And now I really love my job n bs politics and favortism nepatism and most of listing to someone is telling me to build something or do something I know is wrong and having to do it any way. And 99% of the time I only have to do things once
 

boomguy

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 30, 2010
Messages
53
Location
alberta
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.
no problem Tiny...face to face any day i have an opinion of union's and sorry its not positive.
i have delt with both and the non union employees i have i would love too see them get treated any better being union..
They put out and get rewarded for it.
i have guys that have been working with and for me for over 10yrs (non union) and if u treat a guy with respect and fairly union is no ADVANTAGE
 

Coldfront

Active Member
Joined
Jul 8, 2010
Messages
31
Location
N.W. Wisconsin
Occupation
Truck and equipment mechanic
no problem Tiny...face to face any day i have an opinion of union's and sorry its not positive.
i have delt with both and the non union employees i have i would love too see them get treated any better being union..
They put out and get rewarded for it.
i have guys that have been working with and for me for over 10yrs (non union) and if u treat a guy with respect and fairly union is no ADVANTAGE

Well from my experience owners like you are not the norm.
 

rabbit

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 12, 2010
Messages
119
Location
Washington
Occupation
Plumbing and Exavation Contractor
no problem Tiny...face to face any day i have an opinion of union's and sorry its not positive.
i have delt with both and the non union employees i have i would love too see them get treated any better being union..
They put out and get rewarded for it.
i have guys that have been working with and for me for over 10yrs (non union) and if u treat a guy with respect and fairly union is no ADVANTAGE

I agree...

I have a nonunion company, we pay prevailing wage and insurance and retirement. Wish I had been treated as well in the past working for non union.

Truth is I have been in the Teamsters, Operating Engineers and Automotive Machinists. If I had to work for someone else I would want it to be a union company. But, I am 68 yrs old and am not looking for something else.
:);)
 

jimrr

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 20, 2010
Messages
156
Location
ne oregon
Occupation
marine engineer/ at sea
i take money in with one hand and give out twice as much with the other!
 

Hokiesmokes

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 17, 2010
Messages
50
Location
Ohio
I tried the union thing out as an apprentice in the local here. I like bein on the big machinery but I just didn't get any work. I got sent to fill in for a call off once and sent on a week long pile driving job. The first company was total crap, had to fight with them for a month to get my money, got no help from the union; second company treated me fine, I got to run everything on the job, even the crane, but when it came to it, I wasn't getting enough work to pay the bills. It got to a point I couldn't keep making my hours at the training site and working a job to pay the bills so I had to leave. It didn't help that some moron operator had me cleaning grease off the bottom of his crane and then decided to go start running it. I almost got made to hamburger, told him to f off, told the union to f off and that's where I am with them. In hindsight, I shouldn't have done it that way, but I got angry. I would go back to a union job, but I wouldn't go out of my way to have one, I've had good non union jobs before and I don't really have a preference. I like the training opportunities you get as a not so experienced operator, and that's what they really have to offer. You can find the benefits and all from non union outfits too.
 

JSchwartz

New Member
Joined
Nov 11, 2010
Messages
3
Location
So. Cal.
Occupation
Recruiter
I have never worked union, so I have nothing, either posotive, or negative to say about them. However, I started on a shovel (laborer) and worked my way up into the corporate office job!
 

rabbit

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 12, 2010
Messages
119
Location
Washington
Occupation
Plumbing and Exavation Contractor
I have never worked union, so I have nothing, either posotive, or negative to say about them. However, I started on a shovel (laborer) and worked my way up into the corporate office job!

Thats what you can do if you are not working for the union.

:usa
 

tuney443

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 19, 2006
Messages
1,216
Location
Dutchess County,NY
Occupation
excavating contractor
CEO--Chief Excavating Officer of my small 1 horse residential,small commercial excavating biz---36 years now.

My Dad was a loyal union man in Local 825 IUOE out of Jersey for years until 1 Sunday when he worked,he didn't get his double time as per contract,the boss tried giving him time and a half.He goes to his BA to complain,the corrupt BA tells my Dad to take the money and run--you should be glad you're working he tells him.Pissed,my Dad goes to the labor board,gets his money,but now is blacklisted and doesn't work steady for 5 years.The hall would give him a day or 2 a week just to screw up his unemployment benefits.35 years with them and no benefits,pension,nada.

Fast forward to the early 80's,there's stupid money to be made at our 2 huge IBM plants so we partner up.He's a very forgiving person,he wants to go all union trades,I'm saying no to it but I gave in,he is my Dad after all.I get a book with Local 137 IUOE. So we had some real nice jobs,not too much union BS.Then in the late 80's,big work started drying up,IBM was hurting so we closed shop.So I go to my BA, ask him about any and all help as an owner-operator in the union.He completely blows me off-tells me his only obligation is to his men working out of the hall.I remind him I've been a dues paying member for about 9 years,wouldn't you want union representation in any form?Says I'm on my own.Left a real sour taste in my mouth.Now in my area there's hardly any union work at all,the big excavating companies by me have all folded,and the only union work is South,by and in NYC.
 
Top