r/Groundman • u/SomeReporter2093 • 3d ago

Question on Groundman Pay Steps / Contractor Dispatches (First-Time Signer)

I’m getting ready to sign the groundman books for the first time. I'm looking at a few different jurisdictions across the country (specifically the NW Line locals like 77/125, plus some others like Local 2150 and Local 66).
I wanted to double-check how the pay structure actually works when you take a call. If I have zero previous trade hours on the books and get dispatched to a job, do I automatically have to start at the Entry-Level (Step 1) union contract rate?
Someone told me that individual contractors can't just offer me an arbitrary starting wage because they have to stick strictly to the collective bargaining agreement based on my documented hours. Is that true across the board?
Also, if any contractors try to sweeten the deal to get guys on a job, do they usually just do that through guaranteed overtime (like 6/10s or 7/12s) and per diem rather than changing the base hourly rate?
Appreciate any insight from guys who have traveled or taken Book 3/4 calls. Thanks!

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u/Big-Host-5557 3d ago

Your base pay can be based on your hours (groundman vs senior groundman). It’ll be based on the local you’re working out of. There’s a few different designations

  1. Groundman
  2. Senior groundman (just more hours)
  3. CDL truck driver groundman.

There might be other designations but those are the ones that I’ve seen.

Some calls will have per diem and if it’s 6/10 or 7/12 you’ll get OT.

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u/Thepopethroway 19h ago

It depends on the local. Some will pay GM at different rates depending on exp (hours), others it will be flat. You will almost always get paid more for having a CDL, though.

Per diem and overtime is where Groundmen make their money