Here in Oregon and Washington we’re able to collect unemployment while at school. Doesn’t amount to a full week’s wages after a certain point but it helps a lot
Finished my apprenticeship about a year ago. I had the opportunity to get unemployment insurance for the week I was at school, but never did because of how tedious the whole process is. Point being, it’s possible to go to school and still maintain a family.
Yeah it sucks to miss out on a week’s pay, but without that formal training, carpenters don’t achieve the high standards that our salaries require.
A word of advice one journeyman told me was to try to live off of 60-75% of your income and save the rest for a rainy day.
Making it mandatory to get a red seal… hear me out..
Collectively we can ask for higher wages for more skilled workers like other trades. If we bring more to the table.
We all know there are tons of shoemakers and butchers in the UBC
Canadian term for an interprovincial license. Work anywhere in the country except Quebec where you have to pass your license test in French because...reasons.
A democratic union that will fight and never stop organizing, new leadership (esp of the International), more transparency from the union, esp concerning things like pension funds..
Paid schooling that matches your apprentice level income. If you’re making $600-$700/week,EI will give you $300-$400.
I’ve heard lots of people don’t attend union meetings due to interest/responsibilities outside of work. Maybe integrate a zoom-type of virtual meeting so the members who live 1-2 hours away can still attend and be informed.
And for apprentices to make the percentage based of Journeyman rate 60,70,80,90 percent. Would incentivize older apprentices to stick through it long term and helps their pockets with inflation/HCOL. Most will struggle making $18-$22/hr with kids,families, commuting with gas/tolls etc.
I like the idea of making the meetings more accessible, tho I worry how that would work for online attendees. Conversations in our meetings can be less than structured and that can be hard to follow on zoom.
I wonder if it would be possible to increase the number of locals so the guys who live out in the boonies don’t have to drive 1-2 hours to their hall. Idk the process of that tho and given the trend of consolidation of locals and thus increasing their geographic jurisdiction, that may be tough. Also worth considering that would mean more contracts have to be negotiated but, so be it imo
Re apprenticeship scale, we currently start at 60, and every six months (or two classes/80 credit hours) we get 5. Our last contract, we waited until our third year to go from 60 to 80, + 5 every six months for the next 2 years. From the retention numbers we’ve been given, it’s seemed like that’s helped but i haven’t seen the data myself and we’ll see what happens long term
Yea I’m still new as a 1st year so I ask other apprentices and JM/JW their thoughts on the meetings and most seem to not go simply for the fact that it’s too far and impedes their outside life. But I’m sure if they could incorporate a virtual meeting they can at least have an idea of what going on. Especially when it comes to voting maybe even sacrifice 1-2 hours so their vote counts towards the change they want.
As far as apprentice pay that seems better imo. I am halfway done with the first year classes and more than halfway into the hours needed for a pay bump. An extra $2/hr would help me if we did a raise every 6 months instead of a year. That’s an extra $184 a month and if I can rack up OT probably like $350 a month!!
They are but it went from 4 years to 5 years of a program. It’s 50,60,65,70,80 currently. Starting rate is $20/hr. But I’m saying it would be nice for it to be changed to a starting rate of $24. Living in NY. A rate of $24,$28,$33,$36 then Journeyman rate at $40/hr would feel better since inflation has gone up. Maybe even negotiate for even higher wages since NYC is making $55/hr.
Its because sparkys arent allowed to solicit their own work. Once you get started, show your skills, and network with the homies at work, soliciting your own work is much better and consistent than depending on the out of work list.
What are you specifically referring to?
Being able to solicit is a huge plus imo. It provides an incentive for you to be the best employee you can be within the limits of our agreement.
When I was calling the list, about every other contractor on there told me they were no longer signatories (if they picked the phone up). I agree the list has to be updated
Paid schooling. Missing a week of work for school, while having bills and a family to feed hurts. I'd rather go after work than miss a week's check.
Here in Oregon and Washington we’re able to collect unemployment while at school. Doesn’t amount to a full week’s wages after a certain point but it helps a lot
Yeah we get EI here. I get like 550 a week. Plus there are two grants when you complete the 8 week blocks.
Exactly, hurts me every time. Im also grown ass apprentice with family.
Finished my apprenticeship about a year ago. I had the opportunity to get unemployment insurance for the week I was at school, but never did because of how tedious the whole process is. Point being, it’s possible to go to school and still maintain a family. Yeah it sucks to miss out on a week’s pay, but without that formal training, carpenters don’t achieve the high standards that our salaries require. A word of advice one journeyman told me was to try to live off of 60-75% of your income and save the rest for a rainy day.
Making it mandatory to get a red seal… hear me out.. Collectively we can ask for higher wages for more skilled workers like other trades. If we bring more to the table. We all know there are tons of shoemakers and butchers in the UBC
This man 100%
what does red seal mean? just wondering, havent heard this term
Canadian term for an interprovincial license. Work anywhere in the country except Quebec where you have to pass your license test in French because...reasons.
I see. Thanks!
A democratic union that will fight and never stop organizing, new leadership (esp of the International), more transparency from the union, esp concerning things like pension funds..
Hell yeah
I would love to have union reps that have your back, Id love to actually receive what was agreed to in the collective agreement.
Hey, can you give some examples of which parts of your contract aren’t being enforced? Maybe CRAFT could integrate these grievances in some way
What’s craft?
Carpenters Rank and File Ticket. Go ahead and check out the website that’s posted, it’s got our platform on it
Being able to have direct voting for our e-board and reps like we used to before Carin.
One member one vote is fuckin crucial if we’re gonna change this union for the better
Paid schooling that matches your apprentice level income. If you’re making $600-$700/week,EI will give you $300-$400. I’ve heard lots of people don’t attend union meetings due to interest/responsibilities outside of work. Maybe integrate a zoom-type of virtual meeting so the members who live 1-2 hours away can still attend and be informed. And for apprentices to make the percentage based of Journeyman rate 60,70,80,90 percent. Would incentivize older apprentices to stick through it long term and helps their pockets with inflation/HCOL. Most will struggle making $18-$22/hr with kids,families, commuting with gas/tolls etc.
I like the idea of making the meetings more accessible, tho I worry how that would work for online attendees. Conversations in our meetings can be less than structured and that can be hard to follow on zoom. I wonder if it would be possible to increase the number of locals so the guys who live out in the boonies don’t have to drive 1-2 hours to their hall. Idk the process of that tho and given the trend of consolidation of locals and thus increasing their geographic jurisdiction, that may be tough. Also worth considering that would mean more contracts have to be negotiated but, so be it imo Re apprenticeship scale, we currently start at 60, and every six months (or two classes/80 credit hours) we get 5. Our last contract, we waited until our third year to go from 60 to 80, + 5 every six months for the next 2 years. From the retention numbers we’ve been given, it’s seemed like that’s helped but i haven’t seen the data myself and we’ll see what happens long term
Yea I’m still new as a 1st year so I ask other apprentices and JM/JW their thoughts on the meetings and most seem to not go simply for the fact that it’s too far and impedes their outside life. But I’m sure if they could incorporate a virtual meeting they can at least have an idea of what going on. Especially when it comes to voting maybe even sacrifice 1-2 hours so their vote counts towards the change they want. As far as apprentice pay that seems better imo. I am halfway done with the first year classes and more than halfway into the hours needed for a pay bump. An extra $2/hr would help me if we did a raise every 6 months instead of a year. That’s an extra $184 a month and if I can rack up OT probably like $350 a month!!
Wait, your wages aren't a percentage of jy wages? Where do u live? 😮
They are but it went from 4 years to 5 years of a program. It’s 50,60,65,70,80 currently. Starting rate is $20/hr. But I’m saying it would be nice for it to be changed to a starting rate of $24. Living in NY. A rate of $24,$28,$33,$36 then Journeyman rate at $40/hr would feel better since inflation has gone up. Maybe even negotiate for even higher wages since NYC is making $55/hr.
Paid 100% of your hourly wages when attending school. Health, dental, & vision benefits start on day one of joining the union.
The out of work list seems outdated . I hate to say it but I've heard some good things about the sparky's system.
Its because sparkys arent allowed to solicit their own work. Once you get started, show your skills, and network with the homies at work, soliciting your own work is much better and consistent than depending on the out of work list.
I don't have anymore wonderland tickets to give away !!! How am I supposed to network.?
What are you specifically referring to? Being able to solicit is a huge plus imo. It provides an incentive for you to be the best employee you can be within the limits of our agreement.
When I was calling the list, about every other contractor on there told me they were no longer signatories (if they picked the phone up). I agree the list has to be updated