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Originally Posted by valdelocc

I seriously doubt that union members that work doing HVAC service are not allowed to hold elected union positions, that wouldn't fly with the UA.
There is a local around my neck of the woods that once tried to double the service apprenticeship from the current 5 years, fitters and plumbers voted yes!! like always only 3 service guys showed to vote and it passed with flying colors but the UA told them "no way" and that was the end of it.

I thought you meant double the size of the Apprenticeship, not double the length of it.

Originally Posted by MechTech2013

So then what was the point of voting?!

What do mean? they voted to extend the HVAC service apprenticeship from 5 to 10 years but a local cant over ride the UA.
A local cant single out a group of its members and make different and harsher rules for them, at least that's the way I see it.

Originally Posted by valdelocc

I seriously doubt that union members that work doing HVAC service are not allowed to hold elected union positions, that wouldn't fly with the UA.
There is a local around my neck of the woods that once tried to double the service apprenticeship from the current 5 years, fitters and plumbers voted yes!! like always only 3 service guys showed to vote and it passed with flying colors but the UA told them "no way" and that was the end of it.

So then what was the point of voting?!

Originally Posted by uncle buck

It's true many years ago there were "2" actual "METAL-TRADES" business agents, for many years now "B" business agent has been a Fitter.

I seriously doubt that union members that work doing HVAC service are not allowed to hold elected union positions, that wouldn't fly with the UA.
There is a local around my neck of the woods that once tried to double the service apprenticeship from the current 5 years, fitters and plumbers voted yes!! like always only 3 service guys showed to vote and it passed with flying colors but the UA told them "no way" and that was the end of it.

It's true many years ago there were "2" actual "METAL-TRADES" business agents, for many years now "B" business agent has been a Fitter.

Originally Posted by uncle buck

Ok here's a fact at "638" only the "PIPE-FITTERS" can hold an elected position it's been that way for almost "20" years

That's against the UA constitution, would like to see proof!

Ok here's a fact at "638" only the "PIPE-FITTERS" can hold an elected position it's been that way for almost "20" years 2nd fact the union meetings should be held later in the evening not at 4 pm. The union officers don't want to be inconvenienced by holding meetings for the "B" local any later the "PIPE-FITTERS" end there day at "2:30" so they can always make there meetings a "B" mans day is over at "4:30"

Originally Posted by valdelocc

If service mechanics were to get involved in union affairs, run for union leadership positions and show to unions meetings, there wouldn't be a pay rate difference between the fitters and us.
In my local a well known service guy ran for a union position, the incumbent was not very popular yet he won the election with 160 votes, out of 200+ service guys only 28 voted. There are about 3 service guys that show to the union meetings regularly. The union leadership will not respect hvac service till we start getting involved.

Service guys are very involved - Service Plumbing Techs that is.....

Originally Posted by nmt6789

That statement holds no water. Look at how many people in total voted in the election. Much less than half.

If service mechanics were to get involved in union affairs, run for union leadership positions and show to unions meetings, there wouldn't be a pay rate difference between the fitters and us.
In my local a well known service guy ran for a union position, the incumbent was not very popular yet he won the election with 160 votes, out of 200+ service guys only 28 voted. There are about 3 service guys that show to the union meetings regularly. The union leadership will not respect hvac service till we start getting involved.

Originally Posted by valdelocc

is it the service mechanics fault for not being wise and not going to the union meetings,not voting in union elections and showing no interest in union affairs.

That statement holds no water. Look at how many people in total voted in the election. Much less than half.

Originally Posted by MechTech2013

Is it the Service Mechanics' fault for being wise enough not to going Construction?

is it the service mechanics fault for not being wise and not going to the union meetings,not voting in union elections and showing no interest in union affairs.

Originally Posted by nmt6789

They're not always working though. Worst part is "B" guys aren't represented and theres a lot of turmoil between "A" and "B". Also why dont we have an annuity?

Is it the Service Mechanics' fault for being wise enough not to going Construction?

Originally Posted by Jettinvr6sc

I'm in my 9th year in 638 B. The A side gets close to 60 an hour. Not cool, but it could be worst I guess.

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They're not always working though. Worst part is "B" guys aren't represented and theres a lot of turmoil between "A" and "B". Also why dont we have an annuity?

Another thing about the "638-B" collect pension at "62" and union gives you medical till "65" you can leave at "60" early retirement but that is a "12%" penalty "FIRST"."2ND" then if you want to collect at 60 you must pay "COBRA" for those 2 years prior to turning 62 so then the union will pick up your medical till 65. I've met many techs over the years that got into the union as young as 18-20 in their late 50's and their bodies are worn out guy has 40 years in local and is 60 a 12% penalty is a slap in the face.

I'm in my 9th year in 638 B. The A side gets close to 60 an hour. Not cool, but it could be worst I guess.

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Originally Posted by uncle buck

My 2 cents... I've been in "638-B" for over 30 years current pay scale is $39.25 per hour. "FOR NOW" the medical is still fully paid by employer. I "5" techs who made the transfer from the "B" to "A" in the last 20-25 years. All of them were top installation techs who were sponsored by the companies they were working for. All of them jumped at the chance mainly because the "A" side you can retire at "59-1/2" and "LIFETIME MEDICAL" and then at "62" they collect their "B" pension which along time ago was 10 years to get vested but was lowered to "5" years vesting at least 10-15 years ago. However all 5 of these techs stated their is a HUGE Amount of Politics in the "A" local and due to the costs of their benefits package they all get Laid off between installation jobs no more you can work in service in between installs. "1" of the above mentioned techs wished he stayed in the "B" 2 years after getting his "A" card the company folded and he became a "HALL" fitter going from sprinkler job to sprinkler job and he stated it's very stressful being told you will be laid off soon.

How are you guys over $10/Hr less than the Fitters? Is that fair?

My 2 cents... I've been in "638-B" for over 30 years current pay scale is $39.25 per hour. "FOR NOW" the medical is still fully paid by employer. I "5" techs who made the transfer from the "B" to "A" in the last 20-25 years. All of them were top installation techs who were sponsored by the companies they were working for. All of them jumped at the chance mainly because the "A" side you can retire at "59-1/2" and "LIFETIME MEDICAL" and then at "62" they collect their "B" pension which along time ago was 10 years to get vested but was lowered to "5" years vesting at least 10-15 years ago. However all 5 of these techs stated their is a HUGE Amount of Politics in the "A" local and due to the costs of their benefits package they all get Laid off between installation jobs no more you can work in service in between installs. "1" of the above mentioned techs wished he stayed in the "B" 2 years after getting his "A" card the company folded and he became a "HALL" fitter going from sprinkler job to sprinkler job and he stated it's very stressful being told you will be laid off soon.

How is Mechanical Service for-hire considered Metal Trades then?

Originally Posted by MechTech2013

I pulled this from the UA website. Anyone care to explain how the 638B (Service) is a Metal Trades Local?!


"METAL TRADES

The UA Metal Trades department is largely comprised of 21 combination and 14 straight line Metal Trades local unions whose respective bargaining units consist of 20,000-plus employees throughout the United States and Canada who perform maintenance and production work. *Over the years, the work of the department has grown and now includes workers in the direct employ of federal, state and local governments or employees of private contractors who provide labor for government contracts under the Service Contract Act, or to private industry under negotiated agreements.

UA Metal Trades workers are found on a wide variety of jobsites all across North America.* They work in*shipyards, Department of Energy facilities, petrochemical plants, fabrication shops, nuclear power facilities, and processing plants associated with industrial facilities, as well as the service sector.* Many of these members work in government installations, from the National Bureau of Standards to the National Institutes of Health to military sites and dockyards with the Navy and Coast Guard.* They also perform utility work for both private and public industries. The work these members do is essential to our health as well as our*national security*and liberty.

The UA is an affiliate of AFL-CIO National Metal Trades Department, which oversees the activities of 29 metal trades’ councils representing over 100,000 bargaining unit employees."

Over the years, the work of the department has grown and now includes workers in the direct employ of federal, state and local governments or employees of private contractors who provide labor for government contracts under the Service Contract Act, or to private industry under negotiated agreements.

I pulled this from the UA website. Anyone care to explain how the 638B (Service) is a Metal Trades Local?!


"METAL TRADES

The UA Metal Trades department is largely comprised of 21 combination and 14 straight line Metal Trades local unions whose respective bargaining units consist of 20,000-plus employees throughout the United States and Canada who perform maintenance and production work. *Over the years, the work of the department has grown and now includes workers in the direct employ of federal, state and local governments or employees of private contractors who provide labor for government contracts under the Service Contract Act, or to private industry under negotiated agreements.

UA Metal Trades workers are found on a wide variety of jobsites all across North America.* They work in*shipyards, Department of Energy facilities, petrochemical plants, fabrication shops, nuclear power facilities, and processing plants associated with industrial facilities, as well as the service sector.* Many of these members work in government installations, from the National Bureau of Standards to the National Institutes of Health to military sites and dockyards with the Navy and Coast Guard.* They also perform utility work for both private and public industries. The work these members do is essential to our health as well as our*national security*and liberty.

The UA is an affiliate of AFL-CIO National Metal Trades Department, which oversees the activities of 29 metal trades’ councils representing over 100,000 bargaining unit employees."