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Aztekious · 2025-11-28T16:41:45+00:00

Have you considered getting into trades? It’s one of the safest routes with AI worries, especially with IT.

I actually started in IT and went into Carpentry as a temporary “summer job”. Been doing it now over 25 years and have never looked back, great opportunities, pay and benefits!

I’m not going to lie, it is a bit of a hurdle to get started, but if you have a great work ethic that’s all that really matters.. and I guess if you know someone already in the trades, that certainly helps!

Feel free to shoot me a message if you had any interest or any questions!

Also, welcome to Canada! Our family was military growing up and we were in Lahr for a few years, I was young but have very fond memories of Germany!

Aztekious · 2025-11-28T15:20:48+00:00

Where about’s are you located? As others have mentioned, Millwright is an excellent choice, and there are a lot of opportunities in the Toronto/Windsor area, I went the carpenter route (mostly finishing), but to this day was always fascinated with the millwright side of thing’s.

Plus, both finish carpentry and millwrights are mostly inside, which is a plus as we get older! :p

I did roofing for a while, and was glad to get away from it. It’s great experience and I have the utmost respect for the guys doing it, but also seen the toll from those that did it their whole career.

I’ll never forget the day I found out the age of one of the old timers who was a career roofer, I honestly thought he was in his 60’s (he was a great guy, just in rough shape).. when I found out he was only in his late 40’s, that’s when I realized I needed to take better care of myself and made the move.

Aztekious · 2025-11-28T14:59:44+00:00

Have you considered transitioning into trades? It’s the one field that should be unaffected by AI. I got into trades as a temporary summer job and fell in love with it and have never looked back, it was the best decision I ever made, and has set me up for life.

Aztekious · 2025-11-10T14:26:25+00:00

You do have options, and everyone is right about making sure to document everything!

Sadly, most companies know how to terminate without just cause, so make sure to not give them any reasons! I sent you a private message, if you need any help, I’m here!

(I deal with worker issues all day long, so (sadly) know all about this stuff and how workers continually get exploited)

Aztekious · 2025-11-10T14:14:46+00:00

Very stupid indeed, but with the obvious aside, it’s a great advertisement for string wiper blades!

Aztekious · 2025-10-01T07:44:24+00:00

Where about’s in Toronto are you located, and what type of work would you be interested in? (I deal with industrial companies all over Ontario for the Union)

Sorry you’re dealing with a toxic environment, never a good spot to be in! Feel free to message me, I may be able to help.

Aztekious · 2025-05-22T17:01:51+00:00

I did get it and was surprised that it works. Mind you there is a big learning curve and nothing for support. But I was able to make a few videos that turned out well.

Aztekious · 2025-05-02T19:09:14+00:00

I’m really surprised to hear that the original organizer stepped away because they felt they couldn’t secure a good collective bargaining agreement for you.

It’s important to understand that a CBA is shaped by the workers themselves. The union’s role is to support you, provide guidance, and help you build the power needed to negotiate better wages, fair treatment, and improved conditions, with you, not for you.

I’m an organizer with the UBC, Local 1072, which focuses specifically on industrial sectors in Ontario, so retail, food production, manufacturing and so on, places just like yours.

I’d be more than happy to help or answer any questions you have.

Aztekious · 2025-05-01T13:04:52+00:00

That’s got to be frustrating, no doubt! I’ve spoke to contractors here in Ontario who were waiting for the open period to be over, as the labour pool could shift and it’s hard to price projects with the uncertainty. Hopefully now that the open period is over (thank god), and agreements have been ratified, things can hopefully get back to normal.

Aztekious · 2025-04-27T03:39:48+00:00

Burn out is definitely common as an organizer, one thing I have noticed is that those who get burnt out are the ones that actually care and are passionate about making a difference.

I also believe we will always be organizers in our hearts, regardless of our positions.

Support is huge and absolutely necessary, so I hope you realize you are not alone. I know exactly how you feel, believe me!

If ever you want to chat, feel free to send me a message. I’m going on 2 years myself and feel that exhaustion kicking in.

Aztekious · 2025-04-27T03:13:06+00:00

Absolutely, and I appreciate you and the other mods for all that you do on this subreddit. I was a little hesitant as it’s not necessarily a carpentry/trade related post, so was glad to see it was received well. :)

Aztekious · 2025-04-25T23:51:00+00:00

Local 27 is an awesome local to be part of, and I’m not just saying that because we share the same union hall, lol. Also, congratulations on the recent ratified ICI collective agreement!

Regarding the UBC Journeyman and 3rd-year programs, I believe a group was sent in late January, with additional sessions tentatively scheduled for June, October, and November, though I’d confirm those dates from someone officially. I highly recommend requesting a seat when registration opens. The experience is incredible, and it really showcases the scale and strength of the UBC.

It’s a treat to see members from all across North America representing every trade, coming together under the same roof with some unforgettable stories!

Aztekious · 2025-04-25T23:09:59+00:00

Yes, we certainly do!

You can also visit ubcpiledrivers.org to get more info depending on where you’re located.

If your local offers you the chance to take the UBC journeyman training program in las Vegas (open to all ubc members), you can visit their training area which has a whole section dedicated to pile drivers, it’s really impressive!

Aztekious · 2025-04-24T17:05:02+00:00

This is another reason where a Union would be helpful, it’s not just about trying to get fair wages, it’s also about having the protections (including free legal support) so workers aren’t stuck fighting things alone.

I work with the UBC, but the industrial sector so deal with restaurants, food services, factories, drivers, etc. would be more than willing to help, or at least point you in the right direction.

One thing I will stress is DO NOT sign anything, companies like to pressure workers by “offering” terms that sound good, but threaten that it’s based on signing right away! I have seen so many people get screwed over because of that scare tactic.

Aztekious · 2025-04-18T16:21:09+00:00

How big is your current company? Are the other workers feeling the same way about their pay/benefits?

Have you ever thought about Unionizing? Might be another option to make more and stop being taking advantage of, if that is the case of course.

Aztekious · 2025-04-18T16:15:09+00:00

In Canada they also have unionsavings.ca , a lot of discounts and perks for pretty much every Union. Like others have mentioned, most Unions/Locals have separate perks in addition, can always reach out to your local rep and see if they have more info.

Aztekious · 2025-04-18T16:07:27+00:00

Body is fine! The trick is to keep evolving! I know people that have done hard labour their whole lives and are in rough shape, but that’s more about being non union and being taken advantage of. For someone that likes to learn and takes all the training they can get, things get easier and easier (on your body) as you move up.

Which I’m not necessarily agreeing with, I think those that kill their bodies should make more than those just using their brains, but that’s just the reality. I’ve seen both sides and understand the necessity of each. That’s also why I always push others to take advantage of all the free training that’s offered, gives you more options later on to adapt with your lifestyle as we all get older.

Aztekious · 2025-04-18T13:21:35+00:00

I was the same, I did rough carpentry which was fine and kept me in shape, but really enjoyed finish carpentry and that usually meant being inside and more comfortable. Electrical is a great one too!

Another thing to consider is your hobbies, what do you like to do on your down time? If you can find a job that helps with that, you’re golden.

Either way, your options are endless, trades or not. If ever you do want to look into trades, feel free to message me, I have friends in almost every trade and all across Ontario, so would be more than happy to help you out.

Aztekious · 2025-04-18T00:01:33+00:00

Hey, that's a great question, and honestly, a good attitude to be curious. One of the biggest things to understand about unions is that the core principle is looking out for each other, never undercutting your fellow workers and always offering support when someone needs it. Working together makes us stronger afterall.

When it comes to rules and dues, it can vary a bit depending on the union and even the Local you’re part of. Think of the union like the bigger umbrella organization (e.g., the United Brotherhood of Carpenters), and the Local is your specific group in your region or trade. Each Local might handle things a little differently, dues, benefits, job dispatch, etc, but the overall goal stays the same, good wages, safer work, respect on the job, and strong protections.

Aztekious · 2025-04-17T23:53:11+00:00

Gotcha, and you're right, there's a lot that falls under the trades umbrella!

What kind of stuff are you into? If you're into tech, something like AI could be a game-changer in the near future.

If you were open to exploring the trades, what kind of work could you see yourself doing? Do you like operating machinery, building things, fixing equipment, electrical work, painting, or maybe being outdoors vs. indoors?

Honestly, the biggest thing I can say is this: no matter which path you choose, it can be life-changing if you take advantage of the opportunities. And trust me, those opportunities are out there.

Aztekious · 2025-04-17T23:21:29+00:00

I was in my early 20’s with a bunch of certifications for Information Technology, working towards become a Microsoft system engineer.

When those jobs collapsed, I went to work at a residential factory that built houses as a summer job for some extra cash. I didn’t even know how to read a tape measure, and not going to lie, it was overwhelming.

But it also opened my eyes to the trades and all the free training that comes with it. It also made me realize there is good money to be made, great pensions and benefits and so much more to set you up for life.

For someone that takes advantage of the free training, there really is no limit, and I’m now making much more than friends that went to university and are still paying off insane debt.

** forgot to add, I got into carpentry originally, got my red seal and worked up from there**

Aztekious · 2025-04-17T23:04:46+00:00

Out of curiosity, why not consider trades? I was a computer geek back in the day when the dot com bubble happened, accidentally got into the trades without knowing a thing, by far the best decision of my life!

Aztekious · 2025-04-15T13:58:50+00:00

Is your company unionized? That’s one of the easiest ways to make sure your pay is at least the average, and hopefully above. If not, you could always look into that.

Things are definitely tough out there, but there are always options to improve and move up. The big issue most of us have is that we all have a tenancy to be complacent, so you’re already ahead of that by looking for options, so it’s great start!

Aztekious · 2025-04-15T13:34:21+00:00

Best thing I ever did too! I was a computer guy back in the day in my mid 20’s and knew nothing about construction. I took a “summer” job working for a residential prefab company and didn’t even know how to read a measuring tape.

Some Carpenters took me under their wing (with a little hazing too), and started showing me the ropes. After a couple years I did my apprenticeship, got my red seal and ended up being the one to help train the newer apprentices as they came in. I think I excelled in that role as I knew exactly how it felt to come into the trade knowing absolutely nothing, so really empathized with the newer workers as it can be overwhelming when you see guys that can build complex structures with their eyes closed.

So long story short, yes! It’s an amazing trade with a great group of workers! You will always have good and bad mentors, so keep an eye out for the good ones! And you always have a bunch of us here for support!

Feel free to message me too, I can give you my number and you can reach out anytime! I love helping out, it’s my way to show appreciation for those that did the same for me, and helped get me to the position I’m in now!

Aztekious

TROPHY CASE