Hello!-I'm seriously considering joing the Union-I'm a AK. State licensed journeyman and I am wondering what to expect when I sit down with the union rep. and what the exam is like. I read that I have to take thier journeyman test and then my application for membership is reviewed and then I guess they accept me or not, is this pretty much how it works?-thanks

I have been a member for 15 years. Here is what to expect (Here in Ohio). 3 hour test. 1/3 Code, 1/3 theory, the rest safty and basic electrical knowlegde. Tough test. Remember if you fail the test you can retest, a total of 3 times. Don't let them talk you into taking a lower position than you are comfortable with. Good luck. I just became a Union Contractor.

[This message has been edited by highkvoltage (edited 02-22-2005).]

Appreciated highkvoltage! Congrats on becomming a Union contractor! Right know I'm stuyding a Mike Holt book and a slew of Audel books I got for christmas. I'll post whatever expieriences I have that will help someone else out when its all said and done! -Thanks again!-

The exam is mostly open book for the code section. You will also have to know deductions and gains for conduit. AC/DC theory, tranformers and motor control circuits. Post here and any questions I can answer to help you out let me know. Again best of luck to you.

[This message has been edited by highkvoltage (edited 02-22-2005).]

i passed the test in 1978, and, although i know things have changed greatly since then, i am still active and working in the trade. i, as well as others here, will certainly help you and answer any questions you may have. good luck!

oldtimer

Thanks Oldtimer! The test is scheduled for 3/14/05 and its 50%code-50%therory/electrical trade knowledge/ saftey-tools-misc.-There is a review class for 50$ the week before so I'm thinking I should take that as well. Right now I'm studying about 5 hours a day using practice exams from "Tom Henery" and "Mike Holts" Electrcians exam preperation.

I was wondering if I am accpeted and all that- when it comes time to start work do you have to do a classic interview with the union shop contractor(?) or do you just get a dispatch and show up and start working?

I was also curious if your expierience as a union electrcian has been a good one? I am joining because I have kids/morgtage/ya'know just like most of you guys- and I need to know that I am working for a company that has my best intrests in mind and not just thier bottom-line, mutual respect-if I work my tail off for 8 hours I want 8 hours pay and company who gives me everything I need to meet thier deadlines.I spent 8000+ hours working and learning this trade and I am a professional and I want to be treated as such-(bottom-line). My expierience in non-union shops has ranged from really good to downright hostile/backstabbing/un-safe working enviorment- I hope that the IBEW(union shops) at the very least provides a safe/fair work enviorment with a fair wage!
-Thank you!

Like the guy's said. It's an open book test.
25 years playing sparky
took the test 3 years ago smoked it.
then just had to bump heads w all the guys that call you a step brother. just because you didn't come up through the training classes. here in our upstate NY hall we organized guys outnumber them 2 - 1
we all have our skills so don't let them get on you and we are never to old to learn new tricks Good luck

I'm a union member (organized in--did years 4-5 of the "program") and I've seen good and bad on both sides. I'm happy I made the move, but I won't discredit the many knowledgeable and decent electricians that are not in the union. I think most of the forum members here are non-union, but they seem very knowledgeable and are good people as well, which I count as even more important. One real thing to take into account is the work availability in your area. I know that in many areas union work has been slow for a long time now.

Depends on the contractor and the Forman hiring you. Most of the time you get dispatched, do the paper work and go to work. The contractor does have the right to "spin" you without cause. (A very sore subject among some) I work for a very large shop and we have to go through an interview process when hiring members. The guy may not realize it but that is what it is. If I don't feel he is going to work out I can send him back to the hall. I also have to check if he/she has ever worked for us before. There have been a number of times where a guy was fired on a job in one county and took a call in another to the same company. The payroll lady catches it and notifies the superintendents and the guy that hired him gets in trouble for not checking. (No this is not a black list. It is not shared among other contractors. An employer has a right to keep employee records and hire who he chooses to protect his best interest.)

Work in the area is always a concern union or not. I can tell you anyone not working in Southern California over the past year is not working by choice.

There is a whole lot more work than there is qualified workers in SW Florida. They have trouble finding enough unqualified workers.

"I was wondering if I am accpeted and all that- when it comes time to start work do you have to do a classic interview with the union shop contractor(?) or do you just get a dispatch and show up and start working?"

The way it works at my hall is like this:
- You sign the book
- They read the jobs available and any special qualifications needed; ie: cable splicer; confined spaces; OSHA 30; CDL; etc.
- Then they start calling names in the order the book was signed.
- When you take a job (call), you goto the EC's trailer or whatever they are using as a "base" on the jobsite.
- You fill out the paper work (W4, etc).
- Then off you go...finding materials and tools to get the job done.

I'd like to help you on the test questions, but it's been 15-20 years since I got in...if you have a specific question, post it - you will get an answer.

One bit of advice...if your hall offers ANY classes...start taking them. Whatever additionial education you can get to keep yourself employed is worth the time sitting in class.

celtic is "right on" in his post. every hall is a little different. i've worked directly out of some halls in the past, and others that basically will send you to an employer interveiw, usually with a letter of qualifications. i have devoted the past several years to specializing in motor controls and PLCs, and i havent missed a days work in all that time. once you get your feet wet, and get some basic experience under your belt, you might consider finding a "specialty" and get really good at it, through schooling or any other training that is offered. dont pass up any training, either through the union or through an employer. these other guys on this board will tell you that a basic conduit bender or wire puller employee is relatively easy to find, and the competition is fierce, to say the least. find your niche, get "expert" at it, and your qualifications will stand out, when the need for that specialty arises. again, good luck!

oldtimer

Thanks for all the input! I'm really looking forward to seeing how I do. When I talked on the phone to set up the test the rep basically told me most of the types of questions(+examples) that would be on the test like tranformer connections, sizing motor circuits, cosecants, Ohm's law, open book-code ?'s, box/conduit fill-It almost felt like an informal quiz to see what I know.
Oldtimer I agree 100% with specializing after I get some years underneath my belt. I did networking/security/fiber stuff for a year when I hurt my back it was interesting but I didn't like sitting all of the time montioring the LAN-pretty boring! But it gave me expierience I might have never gotten otherwise-especially the fiber terminations, trouble shooting and the like. I'm not sure if I'd specalize in low-voltage stuff since it's really it's own trade-but it has come in handy. One thing I've learned is that whether your troubleshoooting a 12v system or a 480v system that basic electrical-Physical rules remain constant-now you just have to ask the right questions to solve the problem the quickest way.
*Thanks to everyone for your help!*

Well I got a call recently informing me I passed the "inside wireman" exam, 10 guys took it when I did and only 2 of us passed. I want to thank everyone here who posted replies to my question I appreciate it!

Now I have to decide to sign book 1 and wait for work or just keep working non-union? Not sure. -Thanks again-

If you passed the test(congrats)...continue doing what you are doing until you start paying..initiation, dues, etc. Once you have a card(union card) if you are "caught" working for a non-union contractor, you may be brought before the board to explain your actions. This is a hot topic when guys are out of work with little or no money coming in and bills piling up. Your union's by-laws explain this.