So..I'm thinking of changing jobs.. my girlfriends parents are both with the electrical union here and they are wanting me to go to work for them..

The job i'm at is great and all..my boss got me a truck to tow my trailer and stuff.. but the paychecks..aren't what I want..He keeps saying that when we start this big job that I'll get 10%..which ends up being like..close to 500 grand..but I can't just go by his word.. I'm need more money..well..now..

With the Union I start off making decent money, go to school one day every other week, and do that for 5 years, at the end of that I take a test, get state certified, and I'll end up making somewhere around 50 bucks an hour.

The money I make right now, I can't support myself or live on my own here in California, the money I'd make starting with the Union, I'd be able to. The union gets great benefiets and a retirement you can't beat, plus its job security, since theres so many companies involved in it. Once I get my certification, and my journeymans ticket, I can basically go wherever I want in the country and work with a union.

I'm leaning towards the union alot, almost thinking about calling them tommorow. But I'm not sure, I love my boss, I mean, hes like a friend instead of a boss. And if I left, I'd lose my truck, but with the Union..in a year or two, I could buy a truck just like it..and do whatever I wanted to it, and have the stang be able to do major work on it as well. The union..would help me so much right now..I mean..saving up to pay a damn ticket is kinda...crappy..

So what should I do..wait for the big payoff or go ahead and go union ?

 

honestly, your current boss is just telling you what you want to hear to keep you around, but nothing is going to change. You gotta tell him that you cant support yourself on your paycheck and you have to find someplace that does if he cant make that change.

 

Agreed.

Sounds like the "I promise its coming, please keep waiting" line.

You have to do what is right for yourself, not for your friendship with your boss.

 

Tough but look at this way, are you learning or getting anything in your current job? As far as certification or some sort of degree so that you can pick up and go somewhere else if need be? Id rather have something to fall back on like a degree or certification of sort than just to get paid alot because I got lucky and landed the job. If your boss can hire any monkey off the street since no skill is requirred then that is something you should consider. Some like to live on the edge which is fine when you are young but when you have to worry about health and retirement your outlook on life changes. I pay monthly $150-200 (cant remember) for health insurance with my company for 3 people and my Father inlaw pays over $1,000 for 3 people since hes self employed, just something to think about.

 

Well I've learned alot with my current job. And yea, see I think the same way as you guys. I can't take that risk. I mean, I am young, I'm only 18, but I've met a girl that wants to take things serious, and things are going to progress, I'd like to be able to have my own place, and go out to do nice things and such. And "in the future" isn't a good answer for me.

I'm more of a now person.. I want things NOW.

The Union sends me through the apprenticeship, which is State Accredited, after I get out I basically have a BA in electricity which I can transfer over to a college. The starting wage is 15 an hour, but my g/fs step dad is making 50 right now. Benefiets are covered, and they have a retirement plan you can't beat. Its better then the law enforcements, ect...probably the best out there..

So I'm thinking ... 18, college, making atleast 2400 a month, full benefiets, starting a retirement, raises every 6 months (atleast a dollar raise each time, until your 5th year, then you get bumped like...7 bucks in one year).. I honestly don't see anything better. And if one company lays me off, they send me to another company. Its like..job security. I can travel after I get my journeymens, and after the 5th year...I go take my state test..once I pass, I'm state certified...