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Where did the construction workers go?
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this post was submitted on 14 Sep 2023
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Men's Liberation
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It is exactly this. We're trying to recruit hard too, which is working. My local can take about 50 apprentices a year. Between job fairs and school presentations we had 700 apply this year, which is awesome, but way more than we can handle at once.
There is great money to be made in the trades, and joining a union is the absolute best way to do it.
This is why I never really went for the trades. It always seemed like winning the lottery to get an apprenticeship, at least in a large city.
It's really not. If there's a long wait then you apply for the apprenticeship and while you wait ask if they have any other training programs, most of them do, or go work non union while you wait to get in. Gaining experience will help you move up the list and you'll be starting in no time. I had absolutely 0 construction experience and waited less than a year to start in the 3rd largest city in our state.
Depends on the trade. I've worked with a bunch in my area.
Elevators, building engineers? You gotta know somebody. Laborers union? You ain't Latino, you ain't getting in. Electricians, welders? You don't have to know someone, but it sure helps if you do. Also if you're white.
Oh, and No Girls Allowed, so there goes 50% of your potential recruits.
Well I guess since you have all the answers, everyone should go home and just not fucking try. I mean, what's the point? Cryophilia here said everything is hopeless and lost. I mean, he personally applied to all of these labor unions and was given these responses. What chance do we have?
It is what it is, I don't see how sticking your head in the sand will help anything.
You're the one talking about how hopeless trying to work in the trades is, which it isn't. I had no experience, and knew no members before I applied. When I have come across unsafe conditions on a site I've always gotten it fixed.
You said you complained about unsafe conditions, to who? The non union contractor? Or did you talk to osha? When they cut your hours did you file for under employment? Did you do anything to actually fix the conditions for the other workers? Or did you just shrug and move on?
One of us ran into struggles, dealt with them and improved, the other cries about how it's not even worth trying. Who's head is in the sand?
I got a new job and told the other workers what happened. I did not file an OSHA complaint, because it was very tenuous and I was a little busy with my sudden lack of income. I now have a job that makes much more money while actually prioritizing safety.
No, I'm not. You made that up in your own head. I simply pointed out my experience in my area. My point was that it's not always as easy as walking into the union hall with a firm handshake and getting an apprenticeship.
Oh sir, my apologies. You only cited the impossibility of getting into a union, the danger and abuse of the work, a complete lack of regard for anyone's safety, rampant racism, sexism and nepotism...
...but I crossed a line when I summized all that into a hopeless outlook.
And applying is ALWAYS as easy as walking in with nothing but a firm handshake. Most of the time ive only needed half of that.
You have an issue with hyperbole, my friend.
You also have this problem where you think your personal experiences are universally applicable to the entire world.
No, you have an issue with pessimism. You seem to give up and move on for something easy as soon as you need to show effort.
You cited why you couldn't get into a bunch of unions, but I don't think you applied to any of them. Which means you think your assumptions are universally applicable. Mine are at least based on experience, and im encouraging people to go out there and do it. You've got nothing but assumptions and excuses.
First of all you're being weirdly angry about this.
Second, my info comes from multiple conversations with union members and union leaders in my area. I didn't just apply, I talked to the people who view applications. That means I have more insight than you.
Third, I never said my experience was universally applicable.
You need to take a chill pill dude, you're gonna end up catching 20 to life at this rate. I just shared my experience with the unions in my area. Your area is probably different. Someone reading this will probably have a different experience than either of us.
More nothing and excuses.
I'm not upset in the least, maybe you should check the tone you read me in
I mean sure, just ignore everything I said and then claim I said nothing, that's one approach
Well, you haven't said anything of substance yet.
And remember, I didn't just apply, I got in. So no, you don't "know more about it" than I do.
That's the spirit
Running a union is the most lucrative way though.
If a union boss gets a shitload of money to make sure their workers get fair wages, fine by me.
You do realize you have to be a member and respected by the local in order to become the leader, right? You say it like the president of a union wasn't a jw before he got elected. Our current local executive team were all working in the field less than a year ago.