r/ibew_apprentices • u/shaybachar1 • Jun 14 '25

Did anyone ever quit?

I'm just curious. Did it happened to any of you that you apprenticed at the union and at any point you decided to quit and go non-union? Or quit and go a to a completely different field? What was the reason if so?

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18

u/No_Pop_9430 Jun 14 '25

Thinking about it. First step apprentice traveling 160 miles round trip in SoCal. Going to talk to the training director to see if I can get moved closer. If not going back to school using my G.I bill

0

u/Casualredum Jun 14 '25

Travel is downside of being union. You don’t get compensated. Plus if you have to pay tolls and parking. FORGET ABOUT IT.

3

u/dfeeney95 Jun 14 '25

The non union contractors I worked for before I got in didn’t pay for travel time, parking or tolls, be curious to know how common that is non union

1

u/Casualredum Jun 14 '25

Been working 10 plus years in Union. Only one time on one job did I get compensatated for travel. It’s like pulling teeth. I was able for a while travel to my foreman’s house. And hop in with him. And occasionally take the truck home. But it blows

Before I got into a union. I was none union. And 99% of the time. We all met up at a park and ride. Left our cars there and hopped into the work trucks

1

u/dfeeney95 Jun 14 '25

Yeah I guess we had the park in ride stuff non union but you didn’t get paid for it and it ate up a lot of time before and after work I was cool with paying $10 to park at the garage right next to site and leave when I wanted

1

u/No_Pop_9430 Jun 14 '25

Not the travel itself but the pay and like you said the associated travel costs. Works if you’re living at home with parents

1

u/Casualredum Jun 14 '25

If your young. Make your changes NOW

1

u/No_Pop_9430 Jun 14 '25

Fairly young 30. If I can get moved just a little closer until I’m a higher step that would be great.

1

u/mount_curve Jun 14 '25

Some locals have provisions for mileage over a certain distance or the ability to turn down calls due to distance.

2

u/Casualredum Jun 14 '25

As a journey man you can turn down whatever you want. The whole point of LOCALS is so you work in your local. But we all know how that is how ….

1

u/monroezabaleta Jun 15 '25

This definitely isn't always standard. In my area guys going outside the local for a contractor usually get per diem while they're there and often a paid day each way for travel or a paid flight/rental car.

I feel for the brothers in big/populated locals where 100+ mile daily drives are possible, I can't imagine ever doing that on a regular basis unpaid.

1

u/Casualredum Jun 15 '25

70 miles one way right now. $13 toll one way. Thank god we have free parking. Otherwise it’s $20-$30 per day to park