Union Carpenters Waiting For Work, Construction Jobs in Mass. at 10-Year Low

[ispepteid1]

"They took our Jerb"! lol

[massvocals1]

there is no reason why we can not all be working the carpenter is in need we can fix this

[massvocals1]

This massvocals please email me massvocals@comcast.net what i want us to come too is a dispatch system used with PC this would allow you to file your OWL listing date it and be class in every phase of work at that date You as member can access this with your union number there is lot more if you want a fair and open dispatch system please e mail me and i will show you what this can be

[chippyhippy]

As a union carpenter, you also sign a contract as an apprentice that "I believe" states that if you decide to work at a non-union company you will be fined $10,000. How does that fall into place if the union can't find work for you? Your family comes 1st!!

[chippyhippy]

I have been a union carpenter for 9 years now. I worked steady for 7 1/2 years. I ran jobs, did the layout of several big projects. I thought I would always have a job because of my good work ethics. But, I have to say....a lot of it is who you know, or who you are related to. I have seen way too many guys without the skills or motivation still making the same money and still working...because of connections. It's sad that "what you know" takes a back seat.

[guk1303]

funny, im non union, make a great wage, healthcare, and have nexer been laid off in 6 years with the company with no end in work in sight. im not sure what they put in the koolaid down at the union hall, but you need to realize that there is plenty of work out there and the unions are a sinking ship.

[Brandoskey]

@guk1303 sadly, you're the exception, not the rule.

glad you're getting steady work, but there's plenty of statistics to back up that fact that non-union workers benefit from higher paid union workers.

carpentry is my career, as such i joined the union so i can retire some day and not have to rely on soc sec (which likely won't even exist)

after 6 years i take it you're vested in your companies pension plan? or they've got you set up with an annuity/401k? NO??!?! i bet you get a 1099 too??

[DaFuckyouat]

@Brandoskey

If social security won't exist in the future,what makes you think unions will exist in the future? The political class has nothing to lose by taking bargaining power away from domestic workers. They can probably use the deficit and high unemployment as an excuse to force wage deflation.

[DaFuckyouat]

Is there plenty of work for experienced people with licenses only, or is there work available for newly minted carpenters as well?

[bobrusso22]

Oh, and bye the way, All those scabs now are in line for healthcare benefits, thanks for the good old democratic party. Starting to look better and better for a young kid out of high school going to work for a scab outfit for their future, not apprentice school.

[bobrusso22]

Keep voting democratic.

Vote with your brain, not what the international say's. Remember, they still get their paycheck each week, how about your guys down the hall.

Imagine how much work there would be if the union backed republicans, all the developers are, you guessed it - republicans. If they build - we work!

[lunhil12]

@bobrusso22 No thanks. One of the republicans major goals is to kill unions in the US and depress wages for all workers so that their major contributors (corporations) can make even more money. Trickle down (voodoo) economics is a lie.

[bobrusso22]

ALL, I repeat ALL NON UNION contractors seem to have a predominately south/central american immigrant labor force. Many many illegal immigrants also. A lot of so call 1099 subcontractors also, you know they get a check with no taxes taken out.. Now the democrats always fight the republicans on enforcing the laws to prevent illegal immigration. I bet you that the contractors that signed your paycheck, have lost out jobs that would have union men working.

[GREATWHITE2]

I often wonder how many union carpenters would be working today if your union did NOT sell cards??!! I feel so sorry for my neighbor...

[doubleestark]

I am wondering if any of you had to crawl back into your savings to support yourselves? I wonder how many years of savings are being eroded within months of being unemployed just to pay the bills?

[rocky038]

i feel for you guys im a laborer from cambridge local 151 and dont have nothing either i have a wife and kids to take care of and im laid-off for 7 months already hopefully it will get better take care guys