Industry pay issues

Here is a cool summer gig for a young fella. I see posted on the IBEW 1547 dispatch board. It doesn’t seem like much until you consider the IBEW benefit package and the career path into that world. If they like you, you will probably get invited back. That’s great wages for emptying garbage cans and mopping, hanging with the crew. Three hots and a cot. Probably includes your FR and walker wear, maybe a free 10hr OSHA and perhaps CS/CS rescue certs. Undoubtedly, they probably won’t fill the position because no zoomer in Healy can pass a UA. The entire Denali Borough for that matter.

Coaldust said: I very much appreciate ACH transfers for accounts receiving. However, I still enjoy waiting for what surprises the mail truck lady may bring. There is just something about that mail box money. Big stacks of checks. Click to expand...

If I had it to do all over again, might have stayed in the Marines longer, but then I could be dead so I don't get to worked up about that life choice. I would be a linesman for one of the power companies or the companies they sub to. They are making 6 figures with no overhead, and they are like city workers, no real hurry and one of the companies here, the guys have pillows in their trucks! As I type this my power has been out for 2 1/2 hours

Management got me squared away. Couldnt afford to lose me so that's awesome.

Greasyfitting said: Management got me squared away. Couldnt afford to lose me so that's awesome. Click to expand... Good deal.

Even though the OP got taken care of------------------------------------------------------------------- Being a mobile unit---really depends on how far north of the equator one is. I saw guys years ago working mobile, when winter rolled around they were looking for a place to shack up. And most everyone I knew was old before his time, early arthritis setting in finger, shoulder joints, feet issues, nah--find a brick and mortar with concrete floor and heat. Money isn't worth the wear and tear that will come knocking later in life.

Many of my clients have nice or decent facilities. They are unable to retain mechanics. Or, their one guy is stretched so thin. Attrition is ridiculous. .

Truck Shop said: Even though the OP got taken care of------------------------------------------------------------------- Being a mobile unit---really depends on how far north of the equator one is. I saw guys years ago working mobile, when winter rolled around they were looking for a place to shack up. And most everyone I knew was old before his time, early arthritis setting in finger, shoulder joints, feet issues, nah--find a brick and mortar with concrete floor and heat. Money isn't worth the wear and tear that will come knocking later in life. Click to expand... I've worked with a few guys that wanted to work as much overtime as possible so the could retire early at maybe 55. The problem is they are so burnt out and their bodies beat up they can't do the things they thought they'd be able to (when they were 30) when they're 55. Trades are heavy hard work and tough on the body. So are other jobs like driving trucks and equipment. New equipment is so much more ergonomic and operator friendly. You have a better chance of not aching so much when you retire.

I can't stand this "DIESEL MECHANIC" definition for a truck mechanic. Why don't they call it what it is. A diesel mechanic job definition should be a diesel engine specialist. At least the Heavy Equipment world gets it right.

Truck Shop said: Rule # 1, never work in business soaked in nepotism. Rule # 2, never work where the managers wear flat top haircuts {lord he thinks he's cool} {Paycheck}. Rule # 3, never work in a shop that has too many rules. Rule # 4, once have some factory training--find a Independent shop for employment. Rule # 5, expect to get the shaft working large or corporate type shop. Rule # 6, keep your nose in your own business, forget about the company snorkelers, ----------they are living in your head and taking up space and causing undue stress. Rule # 7, the grass is always greener somewhere else, but never really is after a few months. Rule # 8, there are no hero's in this industry, it's just a job worth doing if your up to it. Rule # 9, Find a after work hobby, thinking about work all day makes for a dull personality, ----------there are other things besides other peoples problems on wheels or tracks. Click to expand... There there are places, with jealous employees that will set you up for failure. I've worked at a few of those in my time.

chidog said: There there are places, with jealous employees that will set you up for failure. I've worked at a few of those in my time. Click to expand... That's all the more reason to be weary of others, and leave as soon as possible. The work place is and always will be a place to wear knife proof shirts. I believe there was a 70's tune called "back stabbers", and some use an ax. And being in a union doesn't mean a thing. Try to make this short. My wife worked for Pacific Power for 18 years-IBEW. When she was hired, she decided after two months it was going to work because the two women if the office were making life tough. She was talking on the phone with someone in Portland headquarters about leaving and the three previous hires only lasted one to two months. A lady in HR contacted her, and about two weeks later that same super showed up in WW regional, walked in told one lady hand over your keys and had her escorted off the property. The other women was called into a room---and managed to scrape by keeping her job. Wage embezzlement. The second women after some time took a job in another service center and was able to move up the ladder because all the people involved with incident retired. Then 17 years after that same women transferred back as a service coordinator over my wife. She had spent 17 years growing a list of back stabbing helpers in management. She made life for my wife so unbearable with the help of a manager my wife was totally distraught to the point of suicide. That women spent 17 years grinding a ax only to return to make life at work for my wife a living hell, total hostile work environment. The union steward and union rep did nothing.

Truck Shop said: That's all the more reason to be weary of others, and leave as soon as possible. The work place is and always will be a place to wear knife proof shirts. I believe there was a 70's tune called "back stabbers", and some use an ax. And being in a union doesn't mean a thing. Try to make this short. My wife worked for Pacific Power for 18 years-IBEW. When she was hired, she decided after two months it was going to work because the two women if the office were making life tough. She was talking on the phone with someone in Portland headquarters about leaving and the three previous hires only lasted one to two months. A lady in HR contacted her, and about two weeks later that same super showed up in WW regional, walked in told one lady hand over your keys and had her escorted off the property. The other women was called into a room---and managed to scrape by keeping her job. Wage embezzlement. The second women after some time took a job in another service center and was able to move up the ladder because all the people involved with incident retired. Then 17 years after that same women transferred back as a service coordinator over my wife. She had spent 17 years growing a list of back stabbing helpers in management. She made life for my wife so unbearable with the help of a manager my wife was totally distraught to the point of suicide. That women spent 17 years grinding a ax only to return to make life at work for my wife a living hell, total hostile work environment. The union steward and union rep did nothing. Click to expand... Not union, but federal, same thing with my wife. Only 3 years in though, not 17 and I about have it set up so that my wife can work for my business instead. Tempted a few times to go up there to straighten her coworker out.

I think there can be many areas where a person may not always fit the exact definition of a job but still be considered as qualified to hold the job title if it's part of what they do. If you work on diesel engines but also on other parts of machinery doesn't disqualify you from being a diesel mechanic. Truck Shop for example does everything on trucks including diagnosing and repairing/rebuilding diesel engines. If his title was truck mechanic does that mean he can't also be a diesel mechanic? If part of your job fits the job description you should be able to use that title.

Welder Dave said: I think there can be many areas where a person may not always fit the exact definition of a job but still be considered as qualified to hold the job title if it's part of what they do. If you work on diesel engines but also on other parts of machinery doesn't disqualify you from being a diesel mechanic. Truck Shop for example does everything on trucks including diagnosing and repairing/rebuilding diesel engines. If his title was truck mechanic does that mean he can't also be a diesel mechanic? If part of your job fits the job description you should be able to use that title. Click to expand... Well I only work on things that has a tilt hood and is diesel powered, so truck/diesel mechanic are all one in this case.

Truck Shop said: That's all the more reason to be weary of others, and leave as soon as possible. The work place is and always will be a place to wear knife proof shirts. I believe there was a 70's tune called "back stabbers", and some use an ax. And being in a union doesn't mean a thing. Try to make this short. My wife worked for Pacific Power for 18 years-IBEW. When she was hired, she decided after two months it was going to work because the two women if the office were making life tough. She was talking on the phone with someone in Portland headquarters about leaving and the three previous hires only lasted one to two months. A lady in HR contacted her, and about two weeks later that same super showed up in WW regional, walked in told one lady hand over your keys and had her escorted off the property. The other women was called into a room---and managed to scrape by keeping her job. Wage embezzlement. The second women after some time took a job in another service center and was able to move up the ladder because all the people involved with incident retired. Then 17 years after that same women transferred back as a service coordinator over my wife. She had spent 17 years growing a list of back stabbing helpers in management. She made life for my wife so unbearable with the help of a manager my wife was totally distraught to the point of suicide. That women spent 17 years grinding a ax only to return to make life at work for my wife a living hell, total hostile work environment. The union steward and union rep did nothing. Click to expand... It's so satisfying when the trouble makers get what's due to them!' Reminds me of when a guy I worked beside told me the day shift foreman wasn't happy with my production. I asked my night shift foreman, who was great, and he said it was BS. He put me pipe spooling to give me some experience. He said my X-rays passed so everything was good. This idiot also tried to take my employee number because it matched his birthday. Payroll guy said you can't trade employee numbers. About a month before Christmas there was lay off because they were waiting for blueprints. The idiot got laid off despite working there longer than I did. I'd imagine they read him the riot act and maybe considered firing him. The reason he wanted me gone was because a friend of his was hired and he wanted him to work beside him pipe spooling instead of me. He also had a ghetto blaster in a wooden cabinet with a cooling fan he played at Max. volume. You couldn't even talk to someone it was so loud. In the new year the laid off employee's were brought back. Manager had an informal meeting with the shop workers and said unfortunately the people who were laid off don't get a Christmas bonus. I did! I was just grinning inside!! This idiot wore a triple filter fresh air welding helmet. He wanted the company to buy the filters but they said no. What was even more stupid was the guy smoked! That was OK because he smoked the lowest tar and nicotine cigarettes. Nobody could have a tuna sandwich or other seafood in the lunch room because he was allergic. He was just the biggest POS a-hole you could ever imagine!

smifwal said: If I had it to do all over again, might have stayed in the Marines longer, but then I could be dead so I don't get to worked up about that life choice. I would be a linesman for one of the power companies or the companies they sub to. They are making 6 figures with no overhead, and they are like city workers, no real hurry and one of the companies here, the guys have pillows in their trucks! As I type this my power has been out for 2 1/2 hours Click to expand... I agree. I think some of the best trade positions today are in that arena. Linemen, Instrumentation & Controls, PLC guys, transformer & switch guys, SCADDA specialists. Even the IBEW laborer emptying the garbage cans and polishing the floor. I steered my son that direction and it has worked out fine. He went the double E route. Sometimes, he misses hanging out with the boys and getting dirty in the power house. Mike Rowe was recently on the Shawn Ryan show. They discussed the electrical trade workforce shortage and the numbers were staggering. Mostly driven by the data center build-outs.

Mike Rowe is a big promoter of the trades. I don't believe all the hype that they are 6 figure incomes. They can be but for most they won't be that high and it certainly takes many years to get into the upper wage class. I think for a journeyman 70-80K (maybe more depending on where it is) is a reasonable wage to expect. Getting in a trade and expected six figures after a few years as an apprentice is a bit of wishful thinking. Nothing wrong with $70K plus and regular increases for advanced training and more specialized work. Depends on how ambitious the person is and if they're always trying to move up the pay scale. Some people like working all the overtime they can get too. That could get you into six figures. For a general electrician six figures is a little much.

Coaldust said: I agree. I think some of the best trade positions today are in that arena. Linemen, Instrumentation & Controls, PLC guys, transformer & switch guys, SCADDA specialists. Even the IBEW laborer emptying the garbage cans and polishing the floor. Click to expand... Depends on who owns it, Rocky Mountain Power/and sections of Pacific Power are owned by the Oracle of Omaha. Once he bought it--it turned to garbage, head office in Utah cut the workforce to show the 7% ROI he wanted to see, and changed the schedule for deleting old power poles from 40 years or so to 55 years plus. Axed the lineman, only kept single crews and most is subbed to Michaels.

I sold my farm to an IBEW lineman school. I got pretty frendly with several of them and 6 figs without disater travel is a fact. Also water company and sewer company utilty trades are great. Most water districts are qusi government jobs. Nashville electric services pays linemen $10.00 hr. over union scale

High time, high time including storm time, the list goes on. Way over paid.