ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area Prevailing wages.

I really can't be enrolled in any apprenticeship program since I'm not union, nor is my company. So, I guess private apprentices are called helpers.

I'm not raising hell at all. I've decided to keep my mouth shut, especially to gain more knowledge.

Thanks for the info from all of you.

I don't know about other states but in MA you cannot have "helpers", "laborers" or any other clasification unless they are legitimate subcontractors.

You are either an electrician or apprentice. And if clasified as an apprentice you must be registered by the company with the state and then the prevailing wage is a percentage of the electrician rate.

If you are not registered with the state then the company is required to pay the full rate whether you have a license or not.

I know of many companies the have got caught and had to pay 1st year apprentices the full electrician rate.

You do not need to union to registered as an apprentice. There are other apprenticeship schools other then the union. I know in Maryland,on prevailing wage projects, you can classify a person as a laborer, but they are restricted as to what job functions they can perform. NO hand tool use, No ladders. Brooms and shovels, move materials -OK You need to check into your local state as to what the rules are . There should be person who comes to the project to verify people etc They will answer ALL your questions. Ask them !
In this life time the only person you can count on to look out for you is ..... YOU !

In Connecticut, i am registered by a non-union company with the state. I am halfway through my apprentiship hours. I know i had a little trouble getting registered because the state requires a ratio of 1 journeyman to 1 apprentice up to 2 journeymen...after that(over 2 journeymen) you need a 2 to 1 ratio. So maybe this is one of the reasons your employer has not registered you yet??? I was cheated for 2000 hours of time(my whole first year in the field) live and learn I suppose. I would want to kill someone if they were cheating my out of $5/hr. good luck! and be smart about it!


[This message has been edited by Clydesdale (edited 02-01-2006).]

DSpanoudakis...
i just finished doing work at the Manhatten pyc. center (under the triboro bridge)
i'm a non-union contractor,all my men got j-men wages as they're not in an apprentice school.This gets ch'k by the state with a certified payroll.and yes...it's around $75/hr.
if he lists u as a laborer you can't be doing anything but humping material...
bill

Humping material? Far from it. I run and bend conduit all day, run circuits, read and layout blueprints, rough-in work, finish work, etc. That's the reason why I asked if it's fair since I just don't clean and move material.

Sounds like, since you are not a registered apprentice and doing electrical work on a prevailing wage project that you are entiltled to the full electrician rate.

It's the law.