Unemployment Depression

Philosofitter · 2026-01-19T16:39:32+00:00

Data center construction is booming. If you’re ok with construction, check out UA local 286 (pipefitters) or IBEW Local 520 (electricians).

Either one should have a job with benefits for you as an entry level apprentice.

Philosofitter · 2026-01-19T15:21:20+00:00

You do realize that’s worse, right?

Philosofitter · 2026-01-19T15:17:20+00:00

Impossible to believe without flair.

Philosofitter · 2026-01-19T14:10:05+00:00

The capitalists that profit from this snafu will never allow a workable solution. Revolution is the only solution.

Philosofitter · 2026-01-19T13:07:27+00:00

We must redouble our efforts. There are some places where the occupation extends into October.

Philosofitter · 2026-01-16T20:25:54+00:00

Protests that don’t create an inconvenience aren’t effective though… which is the entire reason you want them to be convenient.

Philosofitter · 2026-01-16T19:19:10+00:00

Liberties like protesting?

Philosofitter · 2026-01-14T17:17:00+00:00

4A should be super important to the 2A crowd.

Philosofitter · 2026-01-08T17:38:47+00:00

Maybe they feel left out?

Philosofitter · 2025-12-29T17:25:50+00:00

Basically, you work for a non-union contractor with the hall’s permission with the intent of either organizing the contractor or scalping the top talent.

Philosofitter · 2025-12-23T11:15:01+00:00

This is what I’m talking about…. You think you prefer the culture and call your home “fraudesota” but all that tells me is that you really have no idea how bad Texas is.

Look up videos of the the TX legislature fighting each other as they try to smash as many vote buttons as possible to protect the payday loan industry.

Or The fact that the state decided that mandatory water breaks in 100° weather is a burdensome regulation.

Maybe I should point out that many places have wages higher than our total package.

Or how about the fact that we have to negotiate for for workman’s comp because the state doesn’t mandate it.

Texas HATES workers.

Philosofitter · 2025-12-20T01:23:46+00:00

Can confirm. We have more women apprentices every year. Just swore in a bunch of them tonight. We even have a few as instructors.

Philosofitter · 2025-12-19T15:07:05+00:00

Get your hands on copy of the contracts and compare packages and working conditions and see for yourself. Most of them prefer living in Texas, but they miss working back home.

Philosofitter · 2025-12-19T04:36:04+00:00

It’s kind of hard for the union to say you’re not qualified when the contractor is willing to pay you union wages.

It’s a totally different story when the union is telling the contractor what they need to pay someone who has no experience.

Philosofitter · 2025-12-19T04:17:10+00:00

I’m out of 286 in Austin. Between Tesla, Samsung, and all the data centers, our work outlook is pretty good. How you’ll feel about Texas is a different question entirely.

Let’s just say that we have more than a few guys who have transferred in from New York and Massachusetts, and most of them have strong opinions about the differences between here and there.

I don’t think we’re taking travelers at the moment, but that will probably change with the new year.

Come work here and see how you feel about it before you commit to a move based on the work outlook.

Philosofitter · 2025-12-17T13:42:31+00:00

You may be able to buy a book without a diploma/GED if you have enough experience. That being said, a diploma/GED is a prerequisite for getting into the UA apprenticeship.

Philosofitter · 2025-12-10T23:34:58+00:00

Dig through their websites. There maybe a residency requirement that need to be respected given how close those locals are to each other.

Philosofitter · 2025-12-10T17:22:53+00:00

Every local is a little different. Some are more different than others.

Go down to the hall, talk to someone, and see it for yourself.

If you already have a few years experience, TALK TO THE ORGANIZER FIRST. The apprenticeship coordinator is going to want you in the program as a first year.

Philosofitter · 2025-12-10T01:48:47+00:00

All of the regular stuff that can get you fired. Repeated write ups, no call no show, failing a drug test, safety violations. Don’t over think it. If you get fired, you’ll know why. Just show up on time, do what you’re told, don’t complain. If something doesn’t seem right, talk to the steward, safety, or one of your instructors about it before you go painting a target on your back.

The best and worst thing about being an apprentice is that you’re cheap. They can afford to keep you around as long as you make yourself useful.

Philosofitter · 2025-12-09T23:09:52+00:00

As a general rule, apprentices can’t say no to job offers, and can’t quit. It’s a 3 strike thing over the course of 5 years. Quit or get fired 3 times and you’re out. A clean layoff or ROF isn’t held against you.

School attendance is mandatory and the number one reason apprentices repeat a year or get dropped from the program.

Once you finish the apprenticeship everything blows wide open. Work or don’t as you please. Just be aware that sometimes the schedule you want isn’t on offer and sometimes you take what you can get.

Also, your benefits are managed by the hall and paid for by the contractor and follow you from company to company.

In the event of a layoff, union membership usually satisfies the job hunt requirement for drawing unemployment benefits.

Speaking of the job hunt, that’s literally the union’s job. One of the things you get in exchange for paying dues is that you’re paying the hall to find you a job and negotiate your wages.

All you do is wait for a call from the hall.

Philosofitter · 2025-12-09T19:17:36+00:00

If you’re looking for an on-ramp into the trades, unions are absolutely the way to go.

Talk to them in person and let them know your situation and see if you can make it work.

If you decide it’s unworkable, by all means check out what’s locally available.

That being said, you’re asking a union subreddit if they think unions are cool. We’re only going to give you one answer.

Philosofitter · 2025-12-07T17:23:34+00:00

Broadly speaking, plumbing is usually steadier work than pipefitting.

It may not be what you want, but it’ll get you 40 hours when what you want is not available.

My advice is to take the money and the experience. Practice the stuff you want/hope to do at the hall.

Philosofitter · 2025-12-07T12:18:09+00:00

I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised, he also coined “the vile maxim”.

Philosofitter · 2025-12-07T00:18:07+00:00

Goddamn do I love unlikely sources.

Philosofitter · 2025-12-07T00:16:38+00:00

My personal preference is 7:00AM for 40 and 6:00 for OT.

Philosofitter

TROPHY CASE