I had to choose between a union shop and going solo, and I picked the union

Honestly, the choice came up about two years back when I was working for a small non-union contractor in Tacoma. The money was okay, but the benefits were basically nothing, and the safety talk was a joke. I had a buddy at Local 76 who kept telling me to make the switch. The big thing for me was the pension and the health plan for my family. Ngl, the first year was tough, the pay scale starts lower, and I had to really prove myself on bigger commercial sites. But now? I'm making $42 an hour on the check, full family medical is paid for, and I'm not sweating every tool purchase or if I get laid off. The training alone was worth it. Has anyone else made that jump later in their career and felt the same way?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_mia21d ago

Forget the hourly rate, the real power is in the contract. It turns you from a cost into a partner with actual rights on the job. Ever try to argue safety with a non-union boss who just sees a schedule?

hall.nina21d agoTop Commenter

Totally, @the_mia. Read a piece about how a strong contract is the only thing that gives safety rules real teeth on a site.

derek65615d ago

Oh man, telling a non-union boss about a safety issue is like explaining color to a brick. I once pointed out a guard rail was just paint on the floor and got handed a faster ladder. A contract that says "no, really, listen" is everything.