CMS Mechanical Services

[ChrisTechMech]

Does anyone know anything about CMS Mechanical Services? I have my resume out there and have spoken with them before. I'm considering an interview, but don't really want to leave where I am unless it really is a better move. I'm currently working for a good union shop doing residential work. I'm curious about their work load; how consistent, type of work (I think it's mostly retail?), how much OT is typical, and how much on-call time? How is the work load distributed (e-mail, phone call from foreman, etc)? An organizational info as it pertains to the tech would be appreciated. How do they treat their techs? A lot to ask, I know, but I'm treated well where I am and paid an okay wage with good benefits. Thanks for any help you can offer.

[MechanicallyInclined]

Does anyone know anything about CMS Mechanical Services? I have my resume out there and have spoken with them before. I'm considering an interview, but don't really want to leave where I am unless it really is a better move. I'm currently working for a good union shop doing residential work. I'm curious about their work load; how consistent, type of work (I think it's mostly retail?), how much OT is typical, and how much on-call time? How is the work load distributed (e-mail, phone call from foreman, etc)? An organizational info as it pertains to the tech would be appreciated. How do they treat their techs? A lot to ask, I know, but I'm treated well where I am and paid an okay wage with good benefits. Thanks for any help you can offer.

Are you under a Resi. agreement that uses Resi. (Metal Trades) designations like Resi. Journeyman, Resi. Trainee 1-3? Does your company do commercial refrigeration or chillers! If not, are you leaving because of the limitations of your company?

[ChrisTechMech]

We have our own, local agreement. We have totally different pay scale (much less), insurance, by-laws, etc. We cannot do chillers or any work over a certain tonnage. We refer all large work to another large union contractor. It seems that nobody is looking for a 3rd year apprentice except for non-union. I either have too much experience (for filter and belt changes) or too little experience (for chiller and boiler tear downs, etc). There was a 3rd year apprentice before me and it took him about a year to find work. Since I currently have a job, I think they usually will go for another guy and it's proving very difficult to get back into the commercial/industrial world. Honestly, I'm getting a little bored with residential and a little tired of the terrible seasonal slow downs.

[MechanicallyInclined]

We have our own, local agreement. We have totally different pay scale (much less), insurance, by-laws, etc. We cannot do chillers or any work over a certain tonnage. We refer all large work to another large union contractor. It seems that nobody is looking for a 3rd year apprentice except for non-union. I either have too much experience (for filter and belt changes) or too little experience (for chiller and boiler tear downs, etc). There was a 3rd year apprentice before me and it took him about a year to find work. Since I currently have a job, I think they usually will go for another guy and it's proving very difficult to get back into the commercial/industrial world. Honestly, I'm getting a little bored with residential and a little tired of the terrible seasonal slow downs.

If you're in OH, look into McQuay Factory Service. They're Union up there. Look into an Apprentice position, they might lock you into Tradesman or Serviceman. If that's the case, it'll be up to you if you want to be in those positions.

[ChrisTechMech]

Thanks, but no dice.

[MechanicallyInclined]

It'd be a better place for all of us if non-Union companies were more competative on wages. The equivalent of 70%-80% of Union HVACR Jm isn't a lot to ask for someone being a commercial refrigeration mechanic.
When I speak of the Union, I mean the UA (the true HVACR Union) unless otherwise noted.

[under pressure]

I would ask questions that exacly describe what will be expected of you when it comes to generating revenue beyond responding to your assigned work and servicing or repairing the equipment you are sent to pm and what revenue percentages must be generated through selling parts over labor for repairs dicovered on pm's. I would also ask what pressure will be placed on you to keep your Revenue "Numbers" up once you have placed all of your accounts in your area in good working order.....I would suggest getting clarifaction from any prospective employer, not just CMS....I would also seek out someone that works for them that might share their thoughts about their job, both good and bad.......Good luck
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[navyhydronics]

These Guys used to do alot of the third party installs for my old company, talked to the tech about how it was to work for CMS.

He told me your production / goals are closley monitered. But it was nothing he couldnt handle.

He was working about 60 hrs a week(summer 0f 2010). Dont know how much he was paid a hour. He worked on commercial HVAC and refrigeration.

[ChrisTechMech]

Thanks guys. I usually don't really go for a job if I'm wavering on my decision. Like I think I said before, I'm comfortable with the people I work with now, I get an okay wage, decent benefits, and it's pretty low pressure. They send me to a job and leave me alone usually. Every time I ask for a tool (covered under the contract), they provide it. My big problem here is the slow down after Christmas every year. I know it slows down everywhere, but this is the worst I have ever experienced. I'm still trying to adjust to the residential environment. I probably won't even send them my resume or pursue their e-mail about a job (probably pretty automatic e-mails anyhow). I don't really want to leave the UA for a company I'm not familiar with and I'm not that crazy about refrigeration. If it were a UA job that was soley refrigeration, that would be one thing because I focus on that niche, learn it well, and make a good wage plus good benefits. For refrigeration here and there with a non-union company... too many variables I think. I didn't know they did any refrigeration before.

[cavalieri85]

i worked for them in florida. they were terrible worst place ever.expect you to drive a truck that breaks down all the time and when it does get it fixed on your time and still finish what you were trying to do when your truck broke down. i averaged about 80 hours there. tons of winshield time. and tons of paperwork i can elaborate more on what i know if you want but i strongly reccomend you dont work there

[ChrisTechMech]

That's good to know. Up here in Ohio all their trucks look pretty new. Is it mostly retail work? Were they pretty competitive in their pay/benefits? What tools do they provide? Are they more about sales or customer service? Strict goals? How independent are their techs (at the office every day, never, weekly)?

[ChrisTechMech]

One more question. Do they go after young techs or do they have a balance of rookies and seasoned pro's?

[under pressure]

i worked for them in florida. they were terrible worst place ever.expect you to drive a truck that breaks down all the time and when it does get it fixed on your time and still finish what you were trying to do when your truck broke down. i averaged about 80 hours there. tons of winshield time. and tons of paperwork i can elaborate more on what i know if you want but i strongly reccomend you dont work there

You must admit , You probally learned alot about yourself during those long drives from town to town painting rusting screw heads "Rust Protection Measure". You probally have a much clearer Definition about where your own personal, ethical bounderies reside. There are many people that take for granite that all companys hold the same moral standards and never get this lesson...............so why the gripe???