Anyone worked for Benner Mechanical?

[maynard]

I have a question since so many say the pay is low @ Lennox NAS. If they went Union, under the National Residential agreement which is referred to as C-Card work in some Locals. Would that be an increase or decrease for most of their techs? In Chicago, C-Card is $22.98/hr & in Albuquerque it's $21.09/hr.

I think that depends where the tech is located and their skill level. I hold a Masters and that figure is way low. I make a good living at NAS because I came with a buyout. Contrary to what the GOD of HVAC says it isn't really THAT bad.

[prounionelp]

I think Lennox NAS should be paying equivalent to MES Serviceman (B-Card).

[hvacpope]

I think Lennox NAS should be paying equivalent to MES Serviceman (B-Card).

great idea!! why dont you give Bluedorn a call

[prounionelp]

The way you state, it's like they'd rather close up than to organize or even pay the prevailing wage!

[hvacpope]

Contrary to what the GOD of HVAC says it isn't really THAT bad.

I'm just the pope and to be honest; working for NAS is not a bad deal for green techs, they get $16+ an hour,company truck,phone and the opportunity to experiment and gain experience at the customers expense, I know the new guys ride with the service manager for a very long two weeks before going on their own, I'm also aware of all the wonderful online training, seriously is not a bad deal for a greenhorn now the customer is getting screw big time and you know it. I'm glad it works for you!

[hvacpope]

The way you state, it's like they'd rather close up than to organize or even pay the prevailing wage!

there was meeting in New York City with all the techs and Lennox mid level supervisors, one tech asked the question about going union and the answer from Lennox was "we would close shop and let go all of you" that tech was fired sometime later.

[timebuilder]

I dunno what C card, B card or X card are and dont really care , we dont operate that way up here. whats your point? Lennox is non-union and they will slam doors before going union.

We can only hope that happens.

[maynard]

I'm just the pope and to be honest; working for NAS is not a bad deal for green techs, they get $16+ an hour,company truck,phone and the opportunity to experiment and gain experience at the customers expense, I know the new guys ride with the service manager for a very long two weeks before going on their own, I'm also aware of all the wonderful online training, seriously is not a bad deal for a greenhorn now the customer is getting screw big time and you know it. I'm glad it works for you!

Baby Jesus....Wow, don't let this go to your head but you are kind of right. The branch budgets are modeled the same throughtout the country based on how many pieces of equipment. I guess cost of living is cheaper down south? Customers are charged the same throughout the country as well. I have noticed the the southern state branches for the most part always rank high while the northern states are the red headed step child. The branch budgets (in my opinion) are not designed for the wages that the techs where making at Benner and Tradewinds.(As you know their is not many of us left) You really cant make much $ when the guy makes $30+ an hour and he is doing a $80 PM. I have never had the manager ride along thing though. Online training is a joke. They don't care if you take courses or not, it is a tax write off. Not all of us try to screw our customers but I do sense they are upset when I don't open a FOPM every three months. I have been trying to make a point to be positive on here about my employer but I guess today is a bad day. By all means, if my perceptions are incorrect please correct me. This is my point of view and I guess I can just be thankful I have a job.

P.S. I am glad you enjoyed the inuendo. lol

[prounionelp]

So for all you former Benner & Tradeswinds guys that became Lennox NAS after acquisition, how do you like or how did you like working for LNAS? Oh yeah, what fault is it of a Service Tech making approximately prevailing wage, that his employer is bidding $100 PMs?!

[timebuilder]

So for all you former Benner & Tradeswinds guys that became Lennox NAS after acquisition, how do you like or how did you like working for LNAS? Oh yeah, what fault is it of a Service Tech making approximately prevailing wage, that his employer is bidding $100 PMs?!

Long day for me. Can you clarify the second question?

[prounionelp]

Long day for me. Can you clarify the second question?

I'll use Albuquerque for the example. C-Card is $21.09 & B-Card is $23.20, LNAS can afford to pay either one of those equivalents to its techs. The Union Local fringes are approximately $10/hr. LNAS may be around $5/hr for its fringes. So we'll say LNAS in Albuquerque tech cost is $28.20. LNAS bids out peanuts for its "PMs". So it's not the techs' fault for low margins!

[wisconsinapp]

I'll use Albuquerque for the example. C-Card is $21.09 & B-Card is $23.20, LNAS can afford to pay either one of those equivalents to its techs. The Union Local fringes are approximately $10/hr. LNAS may be around $5/hr for its fringes. So we'll say LNAS in Albuquerque tech cost is $28.20. LNAS bids out peanuts for its "PMs". So it's not the techs' fault for low margins!

I don't think anyone has questioned it was the fault of the techs? As far as all of your B C F K G J K Card lettering system, I have no idea what in the world you are even talking about. Now Im not a union member, but I believe in my area in the union, you are either a pre-apprentice, apprentice or journeymen... And I can tell you that the journeymen would probably laugh in your face at 23 bucks an hour... Yes, NAS is not my preference for a job, but I guess as has been stated numerous times before, its good for someone green I guess because its going to be all hands on learning. But I guess I dont really understand what your question was here because nobody said it was the techs fault.

[prounionelp]

I don't think anyone has questioned it was the fault of the techs? As far as all of your B C F K G J K Card lettering system, I have no idea what in the world you are even talking about. Now Im not a union member, but I believe in my area in the union, you are either a pre-apprentice, apprentice or journeymen... And I can tell you that the journeymen would probably laugh in your face at 23 bucks an hour... Yes, NAS is not my preference for a job, but I guess as has been stated numerous times before, its good for someone green I guess because its going to be all hands on learning. But I guess I dont really understand what your question was here because nobody said it was the techs fault.

I never mentioned Wisconsin, it say Albuquerque for the example. Believe it or not, some Locals even use the title "Journeyman" in their residential classifications. Albuquerque is one of those Locals. When you say Journeymen, I believe you're referring to an MES Journeyman.