Electrical work and unions

[JDgreen227]

Back about 1984 I met a man who had recently hired in with a small electrical contracting firm based in Lansing, Michigan. He told me that he hoped when he gained experience with his company, he would be able to transfer to the GM plants because they offered better benefits than his current employer.

Well, I saw him today, for perhaps the first time in almost 25 years, and he had just recently retired from GM. He told me that after he put in five years with his first employer he was able to transfer over to GM. I forgot to ask him today to clarify what he told me a long time ago, when I asked him why he didn't just start work at GM in the beginning when he got his license.

He told me then, quote: "You work for the union, (IBEW) and the union gives you a company to work for".

I have never forgotten that, and wonder if that is how IBEW still operates today. Any comments? Thanks.

 

[300UGUY]

Back about 1984 I met a man who had recently hired in with a small electrical contracting firm based in Lansing, Michigan. He told me that he hoped when he gained experience with his company, he would be able to transfer to the GM plants because they offered better benefits than his current employer.

Well, I saw him today, for perhaps the first time in almost 25 years, and he had just recently retired from GM. He told me that after he put in five years with his first employer he was able to transfer over to GM. I forgot to ask him today to clarify what he told me a long time ago, when I asked him why he didn't just start work at GM in the beginning when he got his license.

He told me then, quote: "You work for the union, (IBEW) and the union gives you a company to work for".

I have never forgotten that, and wonder if that is how IBEW still operates today. Any comments? Thanks.

Those guys work out of a hiring hall. The contractor that needs a guy goes to the hall, if he likes his work, and has work for him, he keeps him on the payroll. As far as transferring, he hired in. I retired from GM, and I worked in Lansing for a time, as a trades supervisor. IBEW will do all the training for apprentices. They also run their own pension and possibly healthcare. That way if a guy gets laidoff, and changes employer's, he doesn't lose his pension credits - the are portable.

 

[JDgreen227]

Those guys work out of a hiring hall. The contractor that needs a guy goes to the hall, if he likes his work, and has work for him, he keeps him on the payroll. As far as transferring, he hired in. I retired from GM, and I worked in Lansing for a time, as a trades supervisor. IBEW will do all the training for apprentices. They also run their own pension and possibly healthcare. That way if a guy gets laidoff, and changes employer's, he doesn't lose his pension credits - the are portable.

Thanks for clarification....my dad in law retired from Fisher Body as a shift supervisor back in 1986, my oldest brother in law is an engineer at GM Delta, middle brother in law is a foreman at GM Grand River, youngest BIL works for GM in KC, building Malibus. Didn't know you had worked for GM. Guy who married my wifes older sister worked on the electric car project locally until they closed that down, he had to transfer to Springhill to work at Saturn. Didn't seem fair he had put in 20 years at GM and then had to travel that far away to have a comparable job.

 

[jonyyuma]

Thanks for clarification....my dad in law retired from Fisher Body as a shift supervisor back in 1986, my oldest brother in law is an engineer at GM Delta, middle brother in law is a foreman at GM Grand River, youngest BIL works for GM in KC, building Malibus. Didn't know you had worked for GM. Guy who married my wifes older sister worked on the electric car project locally until they closed that down, he had to transfer to Springhill to work at Saturn. Didn't seem fair he had put in 20 years at GM and then had to travel that far away to have a comparable job.

This is part of Down-sizing, the moving to keep a job. Then if not careful the job shuts-down and you look again. It happened to my father at IH, before they sold=out to Case.He had 33 years.

 

[Transit]

They think that they can do communication wiring, biggest mess that I have ever seen. They think they know it all [TIA/EIA 568] and will not take any advice. Then they want to use my $$$$ test equipment.

 

[hawkeye08]

They think that they can do communication wiring, biggest mess that I have ever seen. They think they know it all [TIA/EIA 568] and will not take any advice. Then they want to use my $$$$ test equipment.

...and the speeds on networking now makes the wiring even more critical. I remember when untwisting the twisted pairs too far at a connection caused failures.. that electrical power is still running at 60hz, hasn't changed over the years like networks.

 

[Mace Canute]

...........
He told me then, quote: "You work for the union, (IBEW) and the union gives you a company to work for".

I have never forgotten that, and wonder if that is how IBEW still operates today. Any comments? Thanks.

I don't believe that is universally true; it certainly didn't and doesn't work that way here with IBEW union local 2067 who is the union for electrical workers here at Sask Power.

 

[JakeBrake]

I'm retired now. When I worked as a power equipment engineer, all projects of any size were handled by IBEW contractors. Even the company owners were IBEW members. The IBEW handled training (including apprenticeships and license exam preparation), health insurance, and pensions. Around here the IBEW ran a tight ship and did quality work. The arrangement worked well for me as a customer.

 

[300UGUY]

Thanks for clarification....my dad in law retired from Fisher Body as a shift supervisor back in 1986, my oldest brother in law is an engineer at GM Delta, middle brother in law is a foreman at GM Grand River, youngest BIL works for GM in KC, building Malibus. Didn't know you had worked for GM. Guy who married my wifes older sister worked on the electric car project locally until they closed that down, he had to transfer to Springhill to work at Saturn. Didn't seem fair he had put in 20 years at GM and then had to travel that far away to have a comparable job.

I worked at the Delta engine plant, 1987-89. I then went back to my hourly job, in Livonia. I was pretty tired of being a supervisor. I worked as a engineer for 3 years, then supervisor for 2, then back to the tools. I was very lucky, as this enabled me to retire after 30 years. Salary folks can't anymore. In fact, the pension was closed.

 

[babypp2]

That is good.

 

[JDgreen227]

I worked at the Delta engine plant, 1987-89. I then went back to my hourly job, in Livonia. I was pretty tired of being a supervisor. I worked as a engineer for 3 years, then supervisor for 2, then back to the tools. I was very lucky, as this enabled me to retire after 30 years. Salary folks can't anymore. In fact, the pension was closed.

Every time I think of the Delta engine plant, I think of the Olds Quad Four, wife had a '90 Grand Am with that engine. Wish we had kept the car.

Glad you got out with a pension like you did...:thumbsup:

 

[300UGUY]

Every time I think of the Delta engine plant, I think of the Olds Quad Four, wife had a '90 Grand Am with that engine. Wish we had kept the car.

Glad you got out with a pension like you did...:thumbsup:

Yeah, we made the Quad4. As far as the pension, I'm a good example of the the saying that it's "better to be lucky than good".