Joining a Union

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Gershem

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How do you go about joining a union? I have been trying to join the local #3 union for about 4 years now. they were on a 3 year freeze which ended this year. And still I am unable to join. Is there another way to join the union?
 
Note to all members, Gershem is simply asking for help in how to go about getting into the union, let's not take this into a union verses non-union thread.

Thank you

Roger
 
Gershem said:
How do you go about joining a union? I have been trying to join the local #3 union for about 4 years now. they were on a 3 year freeze which ended this year. And still I am unable to join. Is there another way to join the union?
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Looks like LU3 is still frozen:
Applications

Currently we have no applications available. Interested parties can write to the address below so that you may be notified when applications once again become available for the Apprentice Program. Please include your full name and mailing address.
Joint Apprentice Committee
158-11 Harry Van Arsdale Jr. Ave
Flushing, New York 11365
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http://www.jibei.org/apprentice.asp


Have you considered other areas..ie, NJ?
 
Without knowing how your local works out there, and going off of what our locals do, one way to do it would be to join a shop that is a memeber-shop of that local and you can get in that way. Other than that, I think Celtic has pointed it out.
 
I am probably not the only one who would not know whether just saying "Local Union 3" gives enough information for the reader to know what area of the country you are talking about. Perhaps telling us where you live might help.
 
roger said:
Note to all members, Gershem is simply asking for help in how to go about getting into the union, let's not take this into a union verses non-union thread.

Thank you

Roger
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Dang! I was locked, loaded, and ready to fire at will. :wink:
 
Gershem, are you already a journeyman? Or are you seeking to get into a Local Union through apprenticeship? If you already have experience, there may be other ways to get in the local union besides just through the Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee as in the link given by Celtic.

Down here in the south, the local in this area is seeking new members every day.
 
jameselectric said:
I thought for sure this thread would be locked and deleted. I read the forum rules.
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This is not the "great debate" (that DOES get shut down right quick around here).

If someone posts a question asking "How do I become an electrican?" , they will get answers ranging from "Call all the Mom & Pop ECs in the phone book" to "Check the ABC site" to "Check the IBEW site".


The OP specifically asked about joining one particular IBEW local - nothing else.
That is the only answer that has been (attempted to be) given - nothing else...except for the normal merry-makers and their shenanigans :smile:
 
Simply write a letter as Celtic suggested and send it in. They will notify you when the apprentice program is ready to accept applications. I have many friends in Local 3. There currently is about a 20 week wait for a job if you're become unemployed. Even those working are required to take off a minimum of 10 weeks per year as a furlough. You might want to look elsewhere unless you're looking for a part time job.
 
When work is good most unions will allow employers to hire non union workers if you are already a journeyman many will allow you membership after a few months especially if the shop owner request it,if you are employed at a non union shop you can approach the union about organizing your shop even if the shop votes it down most will take you in for your effort.
 
I ran into the same roadblock when I went to sign up at our local JATC many years back. I got out the phone book and started calling the local non-union shops in my area and went to several interviews. My search finally landed me at a great non-union shop where I climbed through the ranks until I became a JW. My employer covered the costs of all my schooling as long as I remained working for him. That shop eventually organized into the union.

There are several ways to get into the union if that's where you want to end up. Don't narrow those paths down to only one, because you may not get to where you want.

Goodluck
 
charlie b said:
I am probably not the only one who would not know whether just saying "Local Union 3" gives enough information for the reader to know what area of the country you are talking about.
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I don't think anyone answered, it was hinted at by the NJers tho. Local 3 is NYC metro area. There is a Local 3 South and a Local 3 North. I lived in this area for many years, and there really isn't much to develop. I know people in this union and they have mando furlows and such for lack of work, forcing them to dip into any saved vacation/retirement funds. The problem is the only person building in NY these days is Donald Trump.
 
nyerinfl said:
The problem is the only person building in NY these days is Donald Trump.
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That is completely untrue. NYC is current under one of the largest construction booms in its history.
 
kkwong said:
Without knowing how your local works out there, and going off of what our locals do, one way to do it would be to join a shop that is a memeber-shop of that local and you can get in that way. Other than that, I think Celtic has pointed it out.
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There are no open shops in Local 3.
 
crossman said:
Gershem, are you already a journeyman? Or are you seeking to get into a Local Union through apprenticeship? If you already have experience, there may be other ways to get in the local union besides just through the Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee as in the link given by Celtic.

Down here in the south, the local in this area is seeking new members every day.
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Then they're in the midst of an organizing drive.
 
infinity said:
Simply write a letter as Celtic suggested and send it in. They will notify you when the apprentice program is ready to accept applications.
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Unlike applying for a job with a shop, unions "open up" apprenticeship programs based on the projected future needs of the jurisdiction. There is a balanced ratio of Jourrneymen to apprentices. Write your letter and wait for the program to open, the reply will spell out exactly what you must do to properly apply, and what the minimum requirements are. Follow the instructions to the letter.

You missed the last boat by less than a year.

I have many friends in Local 3. There currently is about a 20 week wait for a job if you're become unemployed. Even those working are required to take off a minimum of 10 weeks per year as a furlough. You might want to look elsewhere unless you're looking for a part time job.
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I have friends in Local 3 too. :grin:

Moderators note; edited to remove information not relevant to this thread.
 
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IMO, The sure way to get it.
Find other people in your shop that want to belong to he IBEW, Im sure due to the increase in pay and benefits you can get a majority vote. Contact the IBEW organizer in your area and ask them to represent you. They will help you vote for representation by the IBEW.
http://www.ibew.org/union/index.htm

The IBEW is in an organizing drive and now has more members than in recent history.
As a contractor, its comforting to know that you can man a job with skilled journeymen on short notice. The cost of placing an ad in the newspaper could be in the thousands in some areas. I can get two or three people out of the union hall the next day for a short call and lay them off in two days or two weeks and everybody is happy.
Here we are allowed to turn anyone around without cause and send them back to the union hall, no questions asked.
For me its a win win.
 
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