My first question is are you in a career you will retire from or working a job?
if it’s your chosen career I would ask (I know nothing of 701) which has best benefits and retirements. I believe benefits/retirements are more important when you get 20+ years in a career than a few dollars a hour. Health care is foremost when you have a family and also in retirement. Pension size and security is primary for those who’d like to retire one day. I’ve known plenty who retired happily at 150 the pension is in the green.
Which union is larger and more active at protecting its jurisdiction which leads to more job stability? Which union has active organizers that bring in more non union (job creation). I worked with the organizers awhile back and they were tough and worked long hours.
Which union will find you work sooner if you get laid off or want to try greener pastures?
Which union has a larger training budget and facility so you can remain abreast of new technology and trends (and if you want learn heavy equipment operation)?
Why are coworkers recommending you switch? Are their points/concerns valid?
Lastly you stated more money per hour but a fairer comparison is what’s the avg annual pay including overtime and possible layoffs? Most guys I know that get laid off still made more in those 9-10 months (with overtime) than non 150 PLUS they get unemployment and that holiday check the employer contributes to during the year. So it’s like a vacation.
I know very little of mechanic side but I NEVER heard one complain (unlike equipment operators) lol
What’s up everyone, I realize this is kind of an old thread now but oh well. I’m a local 701 heavy equipment mechanic at a dealership right now. 1.5 years into my apprenticeship. All my coworkers told me I should try to get into Local 150 as they have the best benefits and pay for mechanics in the area. Anyways I picked up my application and am almost ready to turn it in. (To answer a question I read, operator applications must be turned in by November 30. I was told mechanic applications have no due date when I picked mine up.) I was the only guy there I saw get a mechanic application, everyone was doing operator or driller. Seems a little scary to leave behind the reliability of a job at a dealership for the unknown of a real union job in the 150, but the 701 benefits are poor and scale is a couple dollars lower. I’m hoping I can get hired on somewhere that will give me a year or so on the apprenticeship so I don’t have to start over at the bottom. Seems like most mechanics don’t get laid off over winter?? I really don’t want to be I would go nuts not having something to do or a check. Sorry for the ramble. Any advice or knowledge about 150 is appreciated
