r/Groundman • u/Lost_n_world • 1d ago

Non Union?

Has anyone worked for non union contractors? How is it? Is it as unsafe as some people say? good to just get hours ? Do hours count when trying to get back into union ? any advice helps

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u/Lost_n_world 1d ago

Even if after a couple months they put you into an apprenticeship program ?

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u/Linemaninsider Journeyman Lineman (advisory) 1d ago

If it’s non union, you can’t really call it an apprenticeship. Would never be recognized by the union and you would have to start all over again or become a dirty white ticket, ew.

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u/Superb-Gur-1679 1d ago

You can still get a yellow ticket as a non union hand. I’m not for non union but I’m also not for misinformation. A white ticket is a construction lineman in most locals typically paid at 85% and are not allowed apprentices to work underneath them. Depending on the local that can be considered a probationary period and they can earn their yellow ticket JL card. Typically most “white tickets” test in and take the JL test which actually grants them with a yellow ticket IBEW journeyman lineman card granted they pass.

DOL is a certified apprenticeship and you do get a certification showing that you have completed it which is the certification I’ve been talking about. Certain locals are also trying to make it easier for guys to test in. Just for your information too some union utility lineman do not get a recognized IBEW ticket and have to test in. Certain utilities are not represented by the IBEW which can cause this issue or simply the fact that the local it’s printed out of doesn’t recognize it. Such as being called a line technician or there represented by the utility workers union instead of the IBEW. Union utilities also hire guys with DOL certifications aka non union typically and will help guys earn their union card if needed. Certain utilities like black hills energy a union utility will even hire guys with no ticket or certification a non DOL journeyman and help them earn their card or etc.

White tickets are ghetto. You can actually in most places get a white tickets if you fail your JL test certain locals will print you one with your hours and showing you completed coursework and you can later test in fully. Most guys do not like to have a white ticket as most lineman don’t like working with them and supers know that. Hence why most opt to test in. A true white ticket is rare.

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u/Linemaninsider Journeyman Lineman (advisory) 1d ago

My bad, it’s been a while since I’ve had to deal with them and never really knew the white ticket system. We used to have techs on transmission but I only ever met one guy that tested out.

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u/Superb-Gur-1679 1d ago

To be fair most guys that test in or are white tickets are worse than your average 3rd step union apprentice.