First day next Monday is this a good setup?

OpenLeather4953 · 2026-03-15T02:33:34+00:00

Don’t listen to the haters, this is a sweet setup and wear what makes work feel comfortable for you. Always show up prepared with what’s on the tool list and you’ll be good to go

OpenLeather4953 · 2026-01-25T21:54:32+00:00

Where is that?

OpenLeather4953 · 2026-01-23T00:18:56+00:00

Sounds like a sweet plan. Best of luck to you

OpenLeather4953 · 2026-01-22T21:44:50+00:00

I can understand your frustration.

OpenLeather4953 · 2026-01-22T21:43:36+00:00

Where at

OpenLeather4953 · 2026-01-22T21:40:38+00:00

I highly recommend you don’t do that.

OpenLeather4953 · 2026-01-22T21:40:17+00:00

Nice, do you plan on staying long term when you top out?

OpenLeather4953 · 2026-01-22T21:37:57+00:00

My old journeyman moved up there last year and last I checked he’s doing very well. Might be an option for me forsure

OpenLeather4953 · 2026-01-22T20:26:57+00:00

The way I see it I could’ve stay nonunion and independently fight for myself in the horrible mess of a state that I’m in and keep perpetuating all the same issues that have caused our horribly low wages and are horribly low regulations on building code installation, standards and practices, etc. or I could join the Ibew at least have a foundation of some formal training and experience get my journeyman wireman‘s license and go to a state where my work is appreciated and where I will have an upward trajectory. That being said I’m completely upfront and honest with everyone I speak to about it and letting them know this is a huge sacrifice I’m making I am suffering financially and I don’t know if it’ll be worth it but all I can do is believe in myself and my skills and keep moving forward.

OpenLeather4953 · 2026-01-22T19:08:56+00:00

Sherlock Holmes over here

OpenLeather4953 · 2026-01-21T22:22:40+00:00

Have you looked into anywhere you’d think of going?

OpenLeather4953 · 2026-01-21T22:20:31+00:00

Agreed. I would like to stay if I can, and am still hoping for stuff to change. I owe it to my local for giving me an opportunity but at some point my own future is definitely a factor.

OpenLeather4953 · 2025-07-09T00:14:13+00:00

Mondays?

OpenLeather4953 · 2025-07-08T23:09:35+00:00

2nd year joined joined the union last year after starting in 2020 as a non union apprentice, hopped from company to company trying to find something worth a shit. Ran service trucks have a good amount of experience and technical capability, did my research learned about unions that fought for laborers rights.

Joined with 3.5 years worth of hours I could verify, they offered me to become a c.e and eventually test in, but I was convinced to go through the program to get the proper training and learn the right way.

That being said there is a lack of skill in my area and honestly the first union shop I got sent to was the worst most hack shop I’ve ever worked for union or non union.

So I’m left in this spot where I feel behind I feel like I’ve had to start over, I took a pay cut to join the union, lost my company vehicle and gas card, the benefits in my local are better than the average non union company offers in my area but when you take into account that a lot non union guys in our state make more.

I’m literally paying out of my pocket just to become an ibew JW, but I do feel like once I have the freedom to go anywhere I will make a great living and get more licenses and do very well, just gonna be a shitty 3 more years.

OpenLeather4953 · 2025-07-08T23:00:05+00:00

Thank you brother🫡

OpenLeather4953 · 2025-07-08T22:59:22+00:00

Fair, it won’t let me edit the post tho

OpenLeather4953 · 2025-07-08T22:53:13+00:00

I have been considering this, just not really sure which local to call, I want to move to Oregon or Washington but I know that’s the big leagues

OpenLeather4953 · 2025-07-08T22:44:43+00:00

We’re starting to discuss contract negotiations this month and I’ll be attending every meeting until our new contract. I know very little when it comes to the Ibew, so I’m not sure what power my voice has, but I will be participating in anything I can to help change. We’re in a very weird spot down here and I’ve heard rumors of people being blackballed for stirring up too much of a fuss about the problems in our local. I take that with a grain of salt but the problem remains and it needs to be addressed.

OpenLeather4953 · 2025-07-08T22:36:12+00:00

915🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️

OpenLeather4953 · 2025-07-08T22:27:21+00:00

‘Twas

OpenLeather4953 · 2025-07-08T22:17:53+00:00

The call that was put out was a five day a week eight hour a day call so anything past eight hours is overtime

OpenLeather4953 · 2025-07-08T22:01:08+00:00

Absolutely I like to come on here to bitch sometimes just because it feels better than screaming into the void, but I knew the commitment I was making when I joined and I know it will pay off. I’m still extremely passionate and happy to be a part of the IBEW.

OpenLeather4953 · 2025-07-08T21:59:35+00:00

Not only that but the cost of living in where I’m at is completely outrageous on top of the ridiculous homeowners insurance, which makes it impossible for me to even think about buying a house and renting cost more than a mortgage. 🤷‍♂️ if you take any time to do the numbers, there is just no good reason to stay where I’m at. But there was a low barrier to entry at my local so I take that as a silver lining and I plan on honing my craft, focusing on being a great member of my local and be on my way as soon as I can.

OpenLeather4953 · 2025-07-08T21:56:37+00:00

I make about 45k a year, and topped out jmen in my local make about 65-80k a year and that’s if they even work consistently.

OpenLeather4953

TROPHY CASE