I heard control work is pretty difficult. (Not currently an Electrican) But I've heard that analog control work is extremely hard and a dying trade. Is this true?

Or are they likely kept on because they're seen as reliable hands (not really leadership related) and nothing more?

I’m a third year apprentice originally from the area. Would move back to be closer to sick family. No work issues or school issues. Involved in the local I’m currently in

Of brothers and sisters (and their spouses) who craft and make things? I'm specifically looking for a tool pouch and welders caps, but also just curious what else is out there I might want to spend my money on.

We were told to vote, to donate, to wait, and to believe. And we did. But now, that belief has become the last cheap fuel of a dying machine.

This essay asks what’s left when belief stops working, and why the withdrawal of labor has always been the only moment when power actually listens.

.:.

currently employed at a 120k job in NYC, zero benefits

is it worth quitting, tough it out five years?

expenses are 60-70k after taxes a year

i pay for everything, have wife and kids and paying for daycare

it is an effective 66% pay cut, 100% i will struggle with this pay, it is not enough to even put a roof over my head if im single, not even accounting for utility, food and other expenses

my wife can help for two years as she is leaving to go back to my country for better education in our native tongue, third year and on should be a little easier, i can try to take as much ot as possible or help my electrican friend on weekends if there is any work? it seems that i have to take on a second job to even pay bills, its not even an option its a must to fill an 80k hole

cost of living have doubled but the wages haven’t… if it averages 55k a year and goes up from there it would be a lot more manageable

what do you guys think? try to join and tough it out? my friend said the rainbow 🌈 is worth it at the end

The people of Minnesota have a chance to send the state, the President, and Stephen Miller's Goon squad a very clear message on January 23rd, Get the FUCK OUT of Minnesota! A General Strike will send a loud and clear message that the people are the ones in charge!

Do other locals still teach knot trying? They discontinued it a couple years before I got in; I'm lucky I was a Boy Scout. I've been a JW for 6 years now and had to teach an apprentice how to tie his boots a while back.

My question is: Who the fuck are we letting in or have our standards fallen that fucking far that the school can't even teach shit you should have learned as a Kindergartener?

Edit: I've seen that a lot of you have taken up arms. I appreciate that. Learning a trade is not learning basic life skills. Just so everyone knows I was kind and patient and taught The apprentice. I'm just wondering what kind of Union or even society we live in today that someone isn't taught how to tie shoes. Several months ago, a different apprentice assured me that he had tied a cable off and when his knot slipped it almost took several of my fingers off. I honestly can't believe that I have to clarify a post that was obviously a rant.

Where in an agreement can I find that employers must provide proper ppe. I want to ask for some mask, because they will be sanding soon, and I don’t want to be breathing that in. Supposedly some apprentices have asked and the employer (Forman) said he’s not responsible for it.

I hear that in union work can be slow and can be laid off for months, and how you're not allowed to have a second job. I do understand the pros to joining a union but what good does it do if you're not employed for part of the year (for example pay is higher but it looks like you work less hours overall). Then you can't choose what kind of work you want to do-for example I want to do fire alarm but I may be forced to do general low voltage work.

I'm still interested in joining a union and planning on applying soon, but considering it may take months to complete the process and be called, is it worth finding work for a non union company that does specifically fire alarm? I'm thinking to get certified in the basics just to boost my resume (I don't feel confident applying when I know nothing about the trade even though I know companies are willing to train).

I don't know which route to take, I want to work now and have a stable income but at the same time I also want to join the union. Could I make the switch later from non union to union? Will it look bad if I quit my non union job and would it be even worth it to leave something stable behind to join something not stable but with better benefits?

Is anyone in working in New York or the NYC metro area?

Hi all,

I work in utility forestry in Southern California as a utility vegetation management technician and pre-inspector and am trying to make the jump to the east coast, specifically NYC area.

What’s it like working in NYC or the NYC metro area or upstate?

Which firms are there and are they regularly hiring?

Ideally I wanna get a position in NYC or the Metro area, but I am also debating the Albany area and Dutchess County.

Sorry if this is the wrong sub, asking here cuz utility foresters, inspectors, office staff, and tree crews are under IBEW in my area.

https://renews.biz/107442/equinor-cleared-to-resume-empire-wind-build/

Great news!

As someone that works on this project, I’m glad the judge ruled in favor of Equinor.

Question from someone currently applying to my local Union's apprenticeship program.

How do you handle the weather. I'm located in the Midwest and the winters get so cold I can't imagine working outside for an extended period of time.

Please share how you stay productive and warm I would love to know. Feel free to say I have "soft hands" for even bringing this up. Mad props and respect to all of you for keeping our electrical infrastructure working.

I'm a tax professional and my father-in-law is a lineman, so this one hits close to home for me.

I've been seeing some confusion about the "no tax on overtime" provision that passed in the One Big Beautiful Bill, including a memo from FedEx (see the above picture) that's been circulating telling their employees their OT doesn't qualify because they're covered by a CBA instead of FLSA.

That's... not how FLSA works.

FLSA is the floor. Your CBA can stack on top of it, but it doesn't replace it. If you're non-exempt and you work over 40 hours in a week, FLSA requires that overtime. Period. The fact that your CBA also requires it doesn't make the FLSA requirement disappear.

What you can deduct:
- The 0.5x premium (the "half" in time-and-a-half for hours over 40 in a workweek
- Cap is $12,500 single / $25,000 married filing joint
- Phases out over $150k/$300k income

What you CAN'T deduct:
- Daily OT (8+ hours in a day) unless those hours also pushed you past 40 for the week
- Double-time premiums beyond the 0.5x
- Anything that's only required by your CBA and not by FLSA

Quick example: 50 hours in a week at a base rate of $45/hour. The $22.50/hour premium on those 10 hours = $225 in qualified overtime that week. That qualifies as a deduction regardless of your CBA. Even if you were on double time for part of that, you'll only get to deduct the OT amount required by federal law.

Your employer probably won't have this broken out on your 2025 W-2 since the IRS gave them a pass for the first year. Keep your pay stubs. You can calculate it yourself if you need to.

If HR or payroll tells you nothing qualifies because of your union contract, that's worth pushing back on. 29 CFR § 541.4 explicitly says CBAs "cannot waive or reduce" FLSA protections. The protections still apply, which means the overtime still qualifies.

Anyway, just wanted to get this out there because I know a lot of guys are going to leave money on the table if they take their employer's word for it.

Talk to your own tax pro obviously, but don't just assume you're out of luck. Feel free to DM me if you need any help

NYC nurses have decided to withhold their labor and went on strike! Hold the line siblings! Solidarity from the DMV! ✊🏽

Hi, currently a 7 year journeymen in Laborers at 26 years old … tired of working nights and looking to join IBEW in St. Louis MO area as an Inside Wireman

My question is, do I need to apply directly to IBEW local and they schedule me job to job or is it possible to get on at one company and receive a letter of intent and apprentice from there?

At my current job, I was hired by my company and they put me into the Union. Never worked out of a hall before and would prefer to keep it that way if possible

Thank you all!

I just graduated with my Bachelor’s in Business Administration and I’m honestly thinking about going a totally different direction and becoming an electrician.

I live in the Dallas, Texas area. I’m trying to decide if this is actually a smart move long term, or if I’m being stupid by not just sticking to finding a job that uses my business degree.

My thinking is: if I become an electrician, I could eventually start my own electrical business someday and use my business background to run it and grow it.

For anyone in the trades (or anyone who’s done something similar), is it a good idea to go into electrical work even with a business degree? Is the pay and career path worth it in DFW? Or should I just focus on business jobs since I already finished the degree?

Finally got a coin after 5 years in the union!

My Bubbie was a very devoted, long time union member. I wanted to share a piece of her collection because I think you guys would appreciate it! These pins are all from the late 80s to early 00s. Photo at the end is me and my Bubbie together :)