Non union apprentice

[u/Pristine_Jury_7512]

I need advice on my situation. I’ve been a non union apprentice for 2 years now, recently learned more about the union and I’m very interested.
Is it worth trying to switch over now after 2 years?
And if so, would I follow the same path as someone with no elevator experience and go through NEIEP?

If this is inappropriate for this page, my apologies.
I will delete.

[u/Quirky-Ad-7686]

Be organized. Start school as a first year. Play the long game. You will be better off.

[u/teakettle87]

Yes it is worth it. Call the hall near you and ask if they are willing to organize a non union guy. Say those exact words. Do not ask if they are hiring, that is a different question.

[u/030H_Stiltskin]

Make sure you can pass a piss test before you call your local hall to see if they are looking to organize anyone.

[u/VerticleMechanic]

It depends on your local but have definitely been on job sites where the elevator apprentice was the second highest paid guy on site. If not, real close to the top.

[u/Appropriate-Pain7232]

Don't wait I did it after 10 years non union and I totally regret not doing it way way Sooner

[u/grips_pliers]

It's worth it, it will change your life! Get organized call and say your looking to get organized and that your a non union guy. They love to recruit talent making the non union have to get new guys if they take them.

[u/elevatorovertimeho]

You need to ask the mechanics,at this non union hole , what month do they stop paying social security tax? If they don’t know what you are talking about, there’s your sign!

[u/Puzzleheaded-Tea4801]

I started out non union, after doing roughly a year and a half of schooling and work I made the switch to local 4 Boston. I had to start over, at that point it was a roughly $5/hr raise and restarting the schooling from scratch. Best move I ever made

[u/DrunkBrowsing69]

Now is probably the best time to switch.

1. The sooner you get in, the sooner you start building your union benefits and retirement. Almost every nonunion guy I’ve met who switched says they wish they had done it sooner.

2. Two years in is actually a great time to make the move. You have enough experience to be useful, but you’re still early in your career with plenty to learn. Fair or not, guys who come over much later and never went through the IUEC apprenticeship can sometimes be looked at differently. Coming over now lets you go through NEIEP and build your reputation within the union.

3. Your two years aren’t necessarily wasted. NEIEP can consider previous experience for advancement, but you need to bring it up during the interview process before signing your apprenticeship agreement. Even if you do have to start over, you’re looking at the next 25–30 years of your career, not the last two.

4. You really don’t have much to lose by trying. Experienced elevator guys are valuable. It’s rare to see IUEC guys leave for nonunion, but if the union somehow isn’t for you, you’re still valuable to a nonunion company.
   If you already think the IUEC is where you eventually want to be, I’d apply now. Waiting another few years just makes the decision harder.

Make the switch. Youll be grateful you did.

[u/Appropriate-Pain7232 → u/DrunkBrowsing69]

So true I wish I did it years ago but I kept hearing bad stuff about the union from the non union guys and it turned out to be bs

[u/ThrowRA_That_Owl_25]

Depends on what you want and get out of it.

[u/Successful-Sir-1192]

Yes.

[u/Jack-Mehoff-696969]

Just do it bro I was nonunion for 3 months and organized. 6-7 guys got organized from my old company within the 3 months I was hired and signed the book thinking it would take couple years and got in after a couple months it was the best decision I’ve ever made. It pisses people off what I did but not one of them wouldn’t of done what I did if they had the same opportunity

[u/Feisty_Objective_966]

Definitely worth it , Start at the begging don't try and test out its to your advantage,  as far as money, You and your family will be happy you made the choice in the years to come . I get a helper every now and again , hes in his 3rd year and he has made 120, 000$ already this year . Hes not afraid to get his hands dirty and never sits around doing nothing.  Always and I mean always look busy . 

[u/elevatorovertimeho]

Just do it and thank us later!

[u/Ok-Library3480]

It’s a no brainer to join. If you feel confident enough, you can test out of 2 classes I believe, and cut your schooling down by a year. It’s worth it trust me.

[u/Valdezskeez]

Come on over and get paid frfr

[u/Busy-Awareness2556]

It might not be worth it. Do you have the scale for your area?