Has anyone here worked for PCL?

D Grade · Apr 24, 2015

I got a potential job with PCL and I looked up reviews on the company. Seems they are an employee owned company with good benefits and a stock plan. I wanted to see if anyone here has experience working with them since they are a pretty large company on a variety of projects. I did read someone saying that either they don't pay overtime or don't pay OT to salary employees or something of that nature.

Anyways, anyone have any experience with PCL?

CascadeScaper · Apr 25, 2015

You mean this PCL www.pcl.com? They are huge, union (at least here in WA they are), and they are obligated to pay overtime wages based on the contract they are signatory with. Overtime for salary employees usually doesn't exist, that's the whole point of them roping someone into going salary. I would never sign a salary contract for any less than pay for at least 50 hour work week. Also, even if they aren't union represented somewhere, overtime not being paid to an hourly employee is a big deal. Pretty much not legal and that should never exist.

If we're talking about the same PCL, everyone I know that's worked for them here in WA didn't have anything bad to say about them.

D Grade · Apr 25, 2015

Yep, thats them. Looks like a good company to work for. I noticed they have done alot of projects in Wa which is nice because Im from Wa. If I ever wanted to head back up there I could shoot for a project up there.

Hows about growth and training opportunities? Im hoping PCL has alot of equipment operating opportunities.

CascadeScaper · Apr 25, 2015

Are you a union member? They are signatory with Local 302/612 here in WA as well as other trades. PCL does very little of their own dirt work here from what I understand, they sub most of it out in these parts. If you're into running cranes or forklift, your chances of operating for them would increase. I won't say they don't hire operators to run dirt gear, but it seems to me they focus on concrete construction and structural work. I wouldn't say they're any better or worse to work for than anyone else, they've been around awhile so it's safe to say they aren't going anywhere. Lately, I've been working for smaller and smaller contractors, I prefer to be less of a "number" to someone. It's nice to get a phone call from the owner every once in a while to see how things are going.

Curt-HILFinance · Apr 25, 2015

My 1st Post!

D Grade said:
I got a potential job with PCL and I looked up reviews on the company. Seems they are an employee owned company with good benefits and a stock plan. I wanted to see if anyone here has experience working with them since they are a pretty large company on a variety of projects. I did read someone saying that either they don't pay overtime or don't pay OT to salary employees or something of that nature.

Anyways, anyone have any experience with PCL?

My 1st post!

I helped PCL at a few of their Washington Jobsites in the past with some equipment and have nothing but good things to say about them. Can't vouch for the work environment as an employee, but the employees that I interacted with were happy and didn't have anything bad to say about working there. The employees were based in Washington and I believe the HQ is in Canada if my memory is still humming on all cylinders.

Hope that helps.
Curt

D Grade · Apr 26, 2015

CascadeScaper said:
Are you a union member? They are signatory with Local 302/612 here in WA as well as other trades. PCL does very little of their own dirt work here from what I understand, they sub most of it out in these parts. If you're into running cranes or forklift, your chances of operating for them would increase. I won't say they don't hire operators to run dirt gear, but it seems to me they focus on concrete construction and structural work. I wouldn't say they're any better or worse to work for than anyone else, they've been around awhile so it's safe to say they aren't going anywhere. Lately, I've been working for smaller and smaller contractors, I prefer to be less of a "number" to someone. It's nice to get a phone call from the owner every once in a while to see how things are going.

I dont think its union. Hmmm, I wonder if they are the right company for me because I want to operate more than anything and I was told that I may or may not operate. You guys hiring? I certainly wouldnt mind coming back to WA as long as its to operate.

Curt-HILFinance said:
My 1st post!

I helped PCL at a few of their Washington Jobsites in the past with some equipment and have nothing but good things to say about them. Can't vouch for the work environment as an employee, but the employees that I interacted with were happy and didn't have anything bad to say about working there. The employees were based in Washington and I believe the HQ is in Canada if my memory is still humming on all cylinders.

Hope that helps.
Curt

Thanks Curt! So they contracted you out to move the dirt? Thats kind of another sign that has me wondering if this is the right fit for me.

CascadeScaper · Apr 26, 2015

D Grade said:
I dont think its union. Hmmm, I wonder if they are the right company for me because I want to operate more than anything and I was told that I may or may not operate. You guys hiring? I certainly wouldnt mind coming back to WA as long as its to operate.

Join the union, lots of work here if you want to run gear for big dirt outfits. I work in tower crane service currently, less BS and more hours.

D Grade · Apr 26, 2015

CascadeScaper said:
Join the union, lots of work here if you want to run gear for big dirt outfits. I work in tower crane service currently, less BS and more hours.

How can I go about joining the union? Ive never joined a union prior to looking for jobs.

CascadeScaper · Apr 26, 2015

D Grade said:
How can I go about joining the union? Ive never joined a union prior to looking for jobs.

http://www.oetraining.com/

That's our training program here for Western-Cental WA if you're fairly new to the trade, I'd suggest the apprenticeship route. Click on the apprenticeship tab, it'll show you everything you need to know about how to apply. I joined 7 years ago, best thing I ever did. If you have a fair bit of experience and feel you can pass journey level written and practical tests on 2 pieces of gear at our training site, you can sign up with the hall and jump on the out of work list.

D Grade · Apr 27, 2015

So oetraining will actually pay me to take an apprenticeship? How long does the class usually last? Which Union are you guys a part of so I can check them out?

CascadeScaper · Apr 28, 2015

All the information is on the website. The training program doesn't pay you anything, they are our training site. Those of us in Local 302/612 pay a portion of our check every month to keep our site running, keep guys trained, and square out the new apprentices. Contractor pays you, just like the journeymen but at lower scale and earn raises while you go along, earn while you learn the trade. Apprenticeship is 4,000 hour minimum. 7 weeks mandatory introductory training if accepted into the program that is unpaid, once you've made it that far they'll start sending you out to work. Most guys get to be journey level in about 3 years, right now times are good so in theory you could do it in 2 years but work can be hit and miss as an apprentice.

D Grade · Sep 16, 2015

Never said this, but thanks for the info bud.

Has anyone here worked for PCL?

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