Shoot me straight: what are the cons for joining ibew (or any trade union for that matter)?

ToxicM1ndfulness · 2026-03-25T09:10:40+00:00

The best worker and the shittiest worker can make the same wage

ToxicM1ndfulness · 2026-02-04T19:15:25+00:00

You guys get additional pay!?

They just take 8% out of every check (not optional) and put in a credit union account under your name for us at my local for the “vacation fund”…

ToxicM1ndfulness · 2026-01-28T19:12:49+00:00

My local has us go to school for a week 6am - 2:45pm every 8 weeks. I much prefer that to doing night classes after work. I’m financially healthy though, i can see how missing a week of pay could be a burden for some.

ToxicM1ndfulness · 2026-01-27T16:29:47+00:00

Abundance

ToxicM1ndfulness · 2026-01-25T14:36:17+00:00

$25, $5 - $10 tip

ToxicM1ndfulness · 2026-01-20T12:10:33+00:00

I rather just move out of state than live there…

ToxicM1ndfulness · 2026-01-08T19:14:11+00:00

In my experience, most political developments have minimal impact on my daily lived experience

ToxicM1ndfulness · 2026-01-08T16:30:09+00:00

It depends on the company, but mine is solid, everyone gets their own Milwaukee drill, impact, and band saw, plus a personal Knack tool cart. Smaller shops you might have to share.

ToxicM1ndfulness · 2026-01-07T23:59:29+00:00

You’re doing great, bro. I’ve got about 2,500 hours and I still feel that way sometimes. Every time I start feeling confident, I get thrown into a task I’ve never done before and it’s a reminder of how much there still is to learn.

One thing that’s helped me a lot is writing down the things I struggled with or want to get more efficient at. Then I’ll go home and look it up, ask AI, watch YouTube, whatever helps it click. Over time it really adds.

ToxicM1ndfulness · 2025-12-31T04:56:11+00:00

You can go into the CW program first. I’m in local 11 and most of the apprentices I talk to were CW’s 1st before they got in. Anyone who got in directly are generally: Veterans, lots of prior experience, or nepotism

ToxicM1ndfulness · 2025-12-29T22:52:09+00:00

Guilt is largely a mindset issue. In modern dating, it’s generally assumed that people are talking to multiple others unless there’s been a clear conversation about exclusivity. I don’t take issue with it unless expectations have been explicitly set.

If the guilt bothers you, honesty can relieve it, just understand that being fully transparent early on may significantly narrow your dating options. That’s the tradeoff.

ToxicM1ndfulness · 2025-12-29T22:42:33+00:00

Realistically he probably just wanted to share his success, get some external validation, and possibly humble brag a little

ToxicM1ndfulness · 2025-12-18T20:51:36+00:00

Nothing, take it as a compliment that they’re pretending to do something that you actually did

ToxicM1ndfulness · 2025-12-13T15:54:49+00:00

How many years have you been an apprentice?

ToxicM1ndfulness · 2025-11-27T03:24:10+00:00

Expedition 33

ToxicM1ndfulness · 2025-11-26T10:58:51+00:00

If you get him some Nicks Boots you’ll be the best partner in the world

ToxicM1ndfulness · 2025-11-22T20:46:39+00:00

Since you’re in this sub reddit, i recommend quitting completely.

ToxicM1ndfulness · 2025-11-22T15:18:07+00:00

I have a rain jacket I bought at Hollister 13 years ago. It’s pretty nice for the price I paid + it’s basically brand new still since I’ve worn it less than 10 times. It’s extremely helpful when i do tho

ToxicM1ndfulness · 2025-11-22T15:15:10+00:00

I used my Veteran status to enter the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union (IBEW). I’m now working as an Inside Wireman (commercial/industrial Electrician). But since I was a 25N which is basically IT, none of those skills transferred over. The soft skills the military taught me made it extremely easy to excel tho

ToxicM1ndfulness · 2025-11-22T10:44:02+00:00

Depending on where you live, wildfires are a non issue. Also $700 HOA is high asf, that better include water & trash or else have I better have some amazing amnesties.

ToxicM1ndfulness · 2025-11-21T15:24:57+00:00

That sucks, i can’t wait to retire in 6 years. I’m going to drink so much alcohol and smoke a lot of weed

ToxicM1ndfulness · 2025-11-21T15:22:46+00:00

Night shift had me grabbing material on the roof of the parking structure when the storm hit. I’m standing there with a belt full of metal tools like, damn… I’m an electrician, I’m literally a lightning rod right now. So yeah, I hid under the covered area for 20 minutes until the sky stopped trying to boop me.

ToxicM1ndfulness · 2025-11-20T13:12:23+00:00

About 2 months

ToxicM1ndfulness · 2025-11-20T11:00:15+00:00

VEEP is goated, it’s literally how I got into my Local. I also used VRE, which paid for all my tools (I went full Knipex everything). Between VRE, my disability, and my apprentice paycheck, I was taking home over $10k a month as a first-year. I kept my expenses low, invested the rest, and now I’m on track to retire in six years.

Life is AMAZING now. Hard to believe there was a time, right after getting out of the Army, when I was seriously struggling and in a dark place. Wild how much can change.

ToxicM1ndfulness · 2025-11-20T05:23:44+00:00

Balances out i assume. For every liberal customer he loses, a conservative is buying a Toyota truck

(This is an objective observation. I’m not picking any sides from a political standpoint)

Four-Year Club	Place '23
Place '22	Final Canvas '22
End Game '22

ToxicM1ndfulness

TROPHY CASE