I’m proud to say I’ve been accepted into the pipe fitter apprenticeship. I’m here looking for advice to be the best apprentice I can be. I’ve been behind a computer desk for the past 10 years. Been working out and keeping myself healthy for the switch. I’m very excited and nervous at the same time but I want this to work and am extremely determined! I’m looking for any advice. Is there anything I can study before I get dispatched for my first job?

UA Brothers and Sisters. There are many people in our UA who have somehow fallen for the lies and deception of MAGA republicans. Remember a vote for Trump is literally a vote against our livelihood. These aren’t fake propaganda, these are facts. Trump and Republican’s have the record to prove they’re anti-union. So far, the Biden administration has been the most pro-union administration in history. The Chips and Science Act, Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure deals are massive union labor projects. We fully expect Harris-Walz to continue down this path. These massive legislations have billions upon billions of dollars attached to them with PLA’s to make sure the money only goes to union labor.

Trump and his MAGA agenda have NEVER done single thing to support any unions. In fact the truth of the matter is, he’s personally bankrupted Union companies by stiffing them when building his casinos. Elon Musk supports him, which should be all you need to hear. The richest man in the world looking for tax cuts and government handouts for space X. Not to mention one of the most anti-union people. He’s openly spoke about firing employees who try to unionize. He took over Twitter and ran it into the ground, of course after putting 6,000 workers out of a job.

We don’t care about the BS spouted on Fox News by the Mypillow guy, or Tucker or whomever. We care about the UA and work hours. We the UA have had a seat for the very first time during these labor agreements for these massive legislations. This has never happened under any administration.

Your vote counts. You don’t have to share every liberal value with every politician, but your if you want to have a UA and union lifestyle there’s really no other choice then Harris-Walz. If you care about the women in your life’s well-being, there is no other choice.

I currently work and reside in a major city in a plumbing union doing surveying and layout. For over two years my boss (outside supervisor) had me bouncing from job to job throughout the weeks, carrying Union supplied tools and robotic equipment. I had asked repeatedly if there was a way to get a company vehicle so I could not infringe on UA guidelines and that way I could go to job sites with everything I could possibly need. My boss not only being a corrupt prick had been stated to have a company supply truck. Send my robotic equipment to the next job. I did want the company vehicle so that I was not using and abusing my personal truck and my own gas and mileage… Unfortunately, having a major repair over $3000 which my company did not compensate. I’m very unaware of what to do since my friend is telling me to 1099 them for the personal vehicle use, gas and miles but I don’t want to kick the hornets nest. Sadly the company is corrupted as politics, and the ones in power protect the most toxic.

Hi all, I recently organized in to the UA local in my area as an HVAC service tech. I sent my resume in and the connected me with a contractor/business looking for a service tech. Now that I'm here working for this company I can see that it's a train wreck on the mechanical side and is solely focused on growing the non-union controls side. Can I just go to the hall and ask for another lead or something or do I just go directly to the signatory contractors with a resume/application etc?

Hello people, I am currently working towards getting into the 2025 2026 apprenticeship program for the local 440 in Indianapolis., any advice is much appreciate I have my aptitude test coming up this November and I was wondering if anyone has taken it yet or can give me any advice on how hard it is going to be. I am very nervous for it as this is a huge opportunity for me and I do not want to fuck this up for myself, any advice is much appreciated

Seems like the classes are tought in a outdated way. Being very text book heavy and lecture based methods.

I feel like it should be more engaging

Thinking of making the switch from steamfitting to plumbing. Ive heard companies are dying for steamfitters right now which is holding me back. I like steamfitting but I feel like plumbing can allow more side jobs and would be able to challenge the fitting after. But ive also been told id be a hi rise plumber for the rest of my career which is also throwing me off. Let me know what ya'll think. LOCAL 46 Toronto

I’m looking into getting into HVAC apprenticeship and was just looking for more information about the process, pay scale, and how often they are hiring apprenticeship level workers. Also any advice would be helpful!

Numerous people in my local were talking about working the Alaskan pipeline as an apprentice, doing 7/12s for a couple months, then two weeks off, rinse/repeat. Does anyone here have any experience doing this? What's it like?

My husband and I are moving to Vegas from Alberta and he will have the opportunity to go to trade school while he waits for his greencard. He is a pipefitter only interested in doing steamfitting/pipefitting but the issue is that Vegas doesn't offer any schooling for that. They do offer HVAC and plumbing. They also offer a bit of welding. Would it be worth it to go to school for one of those things? Do either of those give him relevant experience into pipefitting? We plan on moving down the road where he can work as a pipefitter. Any insight appreciated!

I’m a fairly new journeyman in my local and I started the trade later in life. I’m a little concerned that some older existing injuries are being exacerbated and that over time in the not so distant future I might be in a situation where I won’t be able to physically do the work the way it needs to be done.

I know that there are sometimes opportunities for union members to move into the office doing estimating or VDC work or scheduling which I ultimately hoped to move to one day but it doesn’t look like there are really any opportunities in my local to do that. I’m currently taking classes towards a Construction Management degree but I’m not really sure how to proceed and I’d rather not leave the UA if it can be avoided. Wondering if anyone has any advice.

What’s the pay for a tradesmen in local 393. Are most getting paid oversacle

NALC president Brian Renfroe gave himself a 19% raise on our dime and made a deal with USPS to give us 1.3% increase annually for 3yrs. USPS also have management a 9% raise and claim to have no money when it comes to the people that do the actual job. We are hoping people will VOTE NO to send the contract to arbitration for a better deal. But there's so much corruption going on with our union that we're afraid NALC president Brian Renfroe will sabotage the whole thing. If y'all can spread the word and bring awareness to this situation we will be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

I've been a UA Local 170 member since April now. I'm a year 1 Steamfitter with around 800 hours and my exam completed through union school. I've been bidding on jobs through my union app for around 6 months now and still haven't had much luck getting employed, my referral list number has been going down slowly which I hope are bettering my chances of getting employed but everytime I call dispatch they tell me to just go "knocking on doors" and everytime I knock on doors they tell me they get their new hires through dispatch. I've completed all my certifications which are needed to work but at this rate it seems like its going to be a very long time till I land a union job. Has anyone else experienced this as well? If so any tips or tricks on landing a union job quicker?

Hey guys, what’s up with local 46 Toronto welding department and why are there so many non union enrolled in classes taking seats away from dues paying members. Took me 4 years to actually get a seat in the 1st term welding program. There is also no pay scale for welding apprenticeship at local 46 so all of the apprentices are forced to get their welding red seal before getting any actual job experience. Not the case for many other Canadian locals. Looking to change locals entirely it seems like a “hold my pocket” type program. Any good welding halls ? (Southeastern Ontario)

Good day UAs

Another On the fence post between UA & IBEW.

The most intriguing thing about going toward an electrician is the following:

• vast things an electrician can get involved with. EVs, Controls, instrumentation, mechatronics, etc

+Three main paths: Residential, Low voltage, and Inside wireman(this one can do all and take classes for all)

• power plants, manufacturing, industrial, resi, hospital, offshore, utilities , etc

• OT, 7-12s, Double time, downtime,

• not very back breaking or injurious

• can work 3-6months a year and make $50-$100k+

• Overseas work

• independent business ownership with smaller tools

QUESTIONs/

1. Can HVAC/R folks do Powerplants and other 7-12s places?
2. As a member who has joined the UA, can HVAC FOLKS take pipe fitting, plumbing, and gas classes at the UA training center?

Very random post but I just need some words of advice from people and perspectives. I got myself a position as a shop guy at a Union shop so I can hopefully have a better chance of getting into the union and becoming an apprenticeship. Been here for a few weeks, and it’s been TOXIC. Owner of the company isn’t around much, let’s just say person in charge when he’s not around makes my life miserable there. He humiliates me in front of anyone, insults me and my intelligence, can’t do anything correct with this guy he will only notice the negatives. I feel like if he’s out to get me, nothing but older dudes so he doesn’t talk to them like he does to me, maybe cause I’m 18 and basically a slave for them not sure. My aptitude test should be around March next year, I don’t know if I can keep handling it and sucking it up. I have an option to become an apprenticeship for bricklayers union as well through a connection. Feels easy to take that route, not sure if the grass is greener on the other side though. Any advice will help thanks in advance.

I applied for local 290 apprenticeship as a steamfitter. I was just curious if anyone else who has applied has heard back from the hall yet. The final day to submit applications was on October 18th. Just curious on how long it normally takes for applicants to hear back and get notified about an interview or not.

So took the workkeys at local 502 and gor a 4 in all of the categories. Is that good?

I have military experience doing plumbing, as well as residential and commercial experience outside of the military. Totaling around 7ish years. I’ve reached out about joining and was told to “hang tight”, which doesn’t help. I also applied for the apprenticeship program and haven’t heard anything. There’s no phone number, and my emails go unread. Anyone have tips on how to get myself noticed?

TLDR; I’m trying to join local UA but am going unnoticed

I've had my journeyman card since 2018 (non union), I applied to the union in 2020 and they put me into the school. I'm doing the same work or more as the other mechanics at my company but make around $20 dollars an hour less with no sick days and no vacation. They told me I couldn't "skip" school or any years of the school but at my company we have had people come in with NO licenses straight to journeyman scale that cant do more than me. I have people in my classes starting at 2nd and 3rd year and wondering why did I get screwed on this. Feels like I'm learning nothing in school as well. Is there anyone else in the same boat? I haven't met anyone in any of my classes in the same situation and it's driving me insane.

Is it possible to get a part time outside of the union while doing apprenticeship?

Howdy. Saw on my local's web page (5, Plumbers) that the last JW wage update was August last year. Any new negotiations or current change? Right now it's listed to the public at 51.25/hr.

I'm waiting to get my exam date (apprentice application) and want to plan expenses once I would potentially start. DM me if you don't want to broadcast rates to everyone.