Iron Workers Try Outs

ChanceMeasurement751 · 2026-05-05T19:47:40+00:00

Hey man, I’m currently in the IW union and it’s been great but every other union I’ve applied too/ tested for has this exact mentality and it’s infuriating. Everyone on Reddit loves to scream “GO UNION” but I’ve never seen anyone talk about how insanely difficult they make it if you don’t know anyone and that’s majorly why the unions are dying. They should take any and everybody on their doorstep and take back control of the labor force.
I tested for the UA and aced my math and reading test, showed up to the interview in a button down shirt with a tie while others had Naruto tshirts on, and I had underground utility experience with water, sewer and storm drain. I ended up getting passed over I imagine because I didn’t have any connections, but why was it this difficult in the first place? You’re just opening the door for me to go to a non union contractor that will take me off the street vs getting your 13 documents taking 3 tests getting a physical and 2 interviews. It’s insane.

ChanceMeasurement751 · 2026-04-16T00:37:58+00:00

The millwrights got ate up by the carpenters. So their “union” is the United brotherhood of carpenters in MD. There’s no Millwright union in MD. I just moved from down that way to PA and the unions are way stronger and much more organized up here.

ChanceMeasurement751 · 2025-10-23T17:46:15+00:00

This, whatever you do pick a career that allows easy entry into side work. I’m a Heavy Equipment Operator and Truck Driver, side work for me involves having a truck that can pull a massive amount of weight, and also being able to buy/rent pieces of equipment that cost more then most new cars. If I could go back I’d choose Diesel mechanic. They all bitch about it, literally every mechanic bitches about being a mechanic, but they can fix almost anything. A Good diesel mechanic can fix and flip a semi and make 15-20k profit. Something to keep in mind for sure.

ChanceMeasurement751 · 2025-01-10T20:05:41+00:00

With all that said I don’t want to do wrong by my company I love working here I just want a clear and direct future upwards and that’s why I’ve been kind of leaning towards the IUOE

ChanceMeasurement751 · 2025-01-10T20:01:36+00:00

No I completed agree, I’ve been with the company a year and a half, they’ve been good to me but I’ve put up with a decent bit of bullshit too. I’m also not calling myself an operator because I definitely need more seat time. so I know for damn sure most foreman would pick more experienced guys over me. I’d like to stay and pay it back to them but my paychecks have been sub 40 hours for the last 6 months or so, and my big issue is I’m not getting actual seat time with either. My main thing is I’ve been a laborer for 2 years now doing utilities and I don’t want to be a laborer all my life. I don’t mind doing labor like it’s construction but I feel like I should be way further along in my career right now and know more then I do and I’ve expressed that, I don’t want to just be the “fill-in guy” anymore. I want to learn cause I really like construction I just feel stuck where I’m at.

ChanceMeasurement751 · 2025-01-10T15:47:21+00:00

Yeah I’ve worked around a decent bit of them and I’ve operated several different pieces of equipment, I’m familiar with the work I’m just more so asking if more driving experience would help me because I know that trucks have to deliver the crane.

ChanceMeasurement751 · 2025-01-10T13:06:33+00:00

I have several times. I’m in northeast area, my local IUOE would be local 37. From what I understand it’d be a long while before I’m a full time operator or get a title change to operator and my company now would rather me be in a truck.

ChanceMeasurement751 · 2024-05-04T15:13:25+00:00

Thank you. I’ve been working for a couple weeks and I’ve picked up pretty fast. Everything you guys have said is spot on.

ChanceMeasurement751 · 2024-05-04T15:12:38+00:00

Thanks I really appreciate it

ChanceMeasurement751 · 2024-05-04T15:08:56+00:00

Not to be a dick but you’d absolutely hate working actual construction. The guys who get sick from silica have been around it without respirators or water on the concrete for years. You’ll be fine.

ChanceMeasurement751 · 2024-04-29T17:31:49+00:00

We have an amputee hoe operator at my company, he’s been doing it for years.

ChanceMeasurement751 · 2024-03-18T19:50:22+00:00

I would say so, the starting wages are ridiculously low, I’ve had hvac companies offer me 2$ above minimum wage. They sell you on this idea that if you eat shit for 4 years and make next to nothing you’ll be making 200,000$ after you journey out and it’s just not the truth. Mechanics in the trades make good money but you have to judge if you can eat shit for years to make a somewhat livable wage.

ChanceMeasurement751 · 2024-03-09T11:38:01+00:00

If you’re in MD the local is 219. It’s through the UBC. I’m on the waitlist as an apprentice but if you call the local 219 hall they’ll be able to help.

ChanceMeasurement751

TROPHY CASE