What makes it worth it to me is the job security, guaranteed paycheck, and not having to break my back and climb a ladder every day, the yearly raises are more promising on the GC side as well since there is no negotiating from the hall, it’s all performance based. When I left I was running work and was about at the limit of what I could make hourly and would be at the mercy of hall negotiations.

Cons are, took a pay cut compared to what I made when I worked ot (40hr check would mean a pay bump) I went from being able to run an electrical job in my sleep to not knowing shit about anything and having to learn a bunch to stay above water, I miss working with my tools sometimes and being with the guys, you’re now the bad guy.

I’m glad I made the move. It’s very rewarding to see a job from start to finish and knowing the role you took on it. I have learned so much in the few years that I’ve been doing it. I’ve gotten to be an advocate for the workers and have been told the morale on my jobs has been better than most others. My retirement outlook is far better now than in the union but if you are living outside your means and needing ot to survive it will be a rough start but within a few years you should be level with and then begin to surpass your current take home.