pittsburgh carpenters union (Plum: homes, construction, contractors)

[artchick]

hi all, my boyfriend got offered a job working for the carpenters union, in residential carpentry but he has to sign a four year contract, and i am just wondering if it is really worth it...steady employment, good pay? Its a big commitment and I was wondering if anyone out there has some advice about pittsburgh's carpenters union. thanks

[Hopes]

I know quite a few union carpenters. They all have made a very good living. The pay and benefits are better than non-union employers.

I wouldn't consider a four year contract a big commitment. What else does he plan to do within the next four years?

[artchick]

thanks, that makes me feel better. But there are so many subdivisions of the carpenters union like millwork, heavy highway, and commercial but he was put into residential. Do you know if that is a good bracket of the union?

[Hopes]

I think the people I know are in commercial, but I can't say for certian. I'll make a phone call and post back later tonight.

[Hopes]

Residential is the lowest paid. Commercial is the highest paid. Residential makes $7/hr less than Commercial. A few years ago, commerical carpenters were making close to $25/hr (the rate is higher now.) Your boyfriend can start residential and later get into commercial. I doubt he would be able to go straight into commercial. This should be a good opportunity for him if this is what he wants to do for a career.

[artchick]

thanks i really appreciate it!!

[Hopes]

I'm not sure if you saw that I already posted the answer since we posted at the same time.

[KellAC]

I have two uncles both Union Carpenters and they have been for some time. My boyfriend is also a Union Plumber. If your boyfriend is interested in doing trade work as a career then I would tell you it is well worth it. My uncles are both either Foreman or Stewards I know that last year my one uncle made over 100,000. My boyfriend who jut started in the plumbers union a few years ago made 62,000 last year without over time. Trust me if this is what he is looking to do then with the room for advancement and the pay increase it is definitely a good career choice.

[Gene Laratonda]

Since this thread has caught the attention of the GoogleBot I figured that I should add a few things to this thread, even if it's over a year later.

The Carpenters Union as a trade is composed of groups of brothers and sisters with specific skills or crafts:
1. Commercial carpenters
2. Residential carpenters
3. Millmen/Cabinet Makers
4. Heavy Highway
5. MillWrights
6. Floor Coverers
7. Lathers
8. Pile Drivers

Take it upon yourself to research what each of those craftsmen do specifically to see if that is what you would like to do for a living. (see Moderator cut: link removed, please read our terms of service.)

Your boyfriend did not sign a four year contract. The apprenticeship is four years, but you can quit at any time with no repercussions.

The Carpenters Union works to provide medical, pension and savings benefits for all of it's members. It also supplies a willing person all the resources for training and certifications. The Carpenters Union is working with the Community College of Allegheny County to provide any member the ability to get an Associates Degree in Construction Supervision and Estimating. As a third year apprentice if you deposit $250 and maintain at least a "C" average through the courses, the Carpenters Union will pay for the tuition and return the $250 deposit when you complete the program. The same cannot be said for non-union contractors.

While the union isn't perfect it is only as strong as it's members. We need good members. Members that look out for eachother and help eachother learn and grow. There may be a few jagoffs here and there, but many of the brothers and sisters are hard working people willing to stand up for the collective good of everyone. Its up to the members working in the field to keep the leadership in check and remind them that they are working for us.

I started in the residential side of the carpenters union and even designed their website (see Moderator cut: link removed, please read our terms of service.). The reason I joined is because I loved the idea of building homes and I had a family that I had to support. I needed medical, pension and savings benefits. It was very difficult on a first year apprentices rate to support my family, but I knew the struggle would eventually work for the better.

The home building came few and far between and as a fourth year residential apprentice I jumped to the commercial side but had to take a 2 year penalty in the apprenticeship and started my second year again. Yeah, that kinda sucked, but at least the change gave me a small pay raise even with going back 2 years.

If anyone has any more questions I'd be glad to help you out. You can always get in contact with me atModerator cut: link removed, please read our terms of service.

Regards,
Gene

p.s. Any union carpenters out there outta check out my unofficial project at Moderator cut: link removed, please read our terms of service.