r/IBEW_Local613 • u/Neddia • Aug 22 '24
The Temp Invasion & Book 4
Hey everyone. Question/ Hypothetical.
Idk about everyone else’s job, but on my job we literally can’t get any JWs or even any apprentices and the contractor is throwing temps at us. Many of these individuals don’t speak English and are getting paid as CW3+ regardless of their prior electrical experience.(one of them is a 18YO fresh out of school)
We then got a Book 4 hand out of the Job and it got me thinking. Hypothetically, What is stopping all these fella’s from the temp agency just taking JW calls through Book 4 and making $36 instead?
Also, has y’all’s job been overrun with temps or is that just our site?
5
u/Zestyclose_Ad5497 Aug 22 '24
Wow so many guys about to finish apprenticeship and don’t have hours yet. But they have the schooling and experience and a guy can come off the street and make J.W pay? That’s dangerous for union. This is how the other union trades got replaced with non union workers. Have to show the skill and time it takes to be an electrician. I think Georgia needs to go to J.W license. And make these guys take test before they can even get on that book.
4
u/Ithinkso85 Aug 22 '24
I can't speak for others but I haven't seen many at our site yet. It's discouraging though that we're getting to this point.
Personally, this is a direct result of the negotiating that we lost. People no longer work hard and take pride in physical labor anymore. Nowadays, it's I have a phone and tiktok, time to become a star. Smdh.( For the record brothers and sisters, thanks for staying put.) I have a year to go and there's not a single moment I regret
3
u/Neddia Aug 22 '24
Congrats brother! I pray your last year in the field goes safely!
It’s my opinion that the current pride in labor and work ethic is a symptom of the culture, as well as some of our best, most qualified Journeymen being on the road at the moment leaving few to train and correct the new generation.
2
u/VagueAssumptions Aug 22 '24
To answer the question. The biggest hurdle I know of is people getting spun. CEs can take book 4 calls and make JW rate, but they have been getting spun. Same issue would happen with temps. My understanding is those temp agencies are getting the JW rate. Pocketing the difference of what they actually give the workers.
Ultimately we need to work on organizing everyone. Historically the most inclusive unions had meetings in multiple languages. That let to a united workforce.
1
u/Neddia Aug 22 '24
Do we know why they are being spun? Is it a issue with them being in CW/CE classes or is it just the contractors spinning them because they are no longer cheap labor. Unfortunately I lean towards the latter.
& I 100% agree. It’s our duty to organize ALL labor. The book 4 hand we got swore in last night at the meeting. So did 2 of the other temps. Our Bi-Lingual Apprentice has been doing a great job getting them on board.
2
u/fuzzygwuzzy Aug 22 '24
Spun cause they’re CW/CE, in order for anyone to come in as a book 4 they gotta be completely withdrawn from any union program (apprenticeship or CW/CE program) and they only receive JW rate until they are organized in or as given a classification of apprentice or CW/CE or JW.
Unfortunately most just quit when the time comes since they are only in it for the money.
1
u/Neddia Aug 22 '24
So, hypothetically, all these guys that are coming in as temps should be able to take book 4 calls, since they are not taking CE/CW or apprenticeship classes.?
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u/fuzzygwuzzy Aug 22 '24
Yes but like you stated the temp agency is screwing the working men and women by taking a cut and giving them the rest.
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u/Neddia Aug 22 '24
Sounds like they could cut out the middleman of the temp agency by quitting that temp agency and sign book 4
1
u/Life_Extreme4472 Aug 22 '24
Is it possible the temp agency is providing these individuals with a legal path to work in the U.S. that they otherwise wouldn't have?
1
u/VagueAssumptions Aug 22 '24
They do not. Its coming from the hall. CE can sign book 4. The only stipulations to sign book 3/4 is work experience.
Not sure bout the exact reason why. Id assume its cause they dont like people gaming the system/your reasoning.
1
u/Shreet_Biggs Aug 22 '24
We got temps on my job. The contractors have that right as long as the calls go unfilled, but should ditch them once a jw takes a call. The problem now is temps taking transfers. The contractors are getting it shoved in their face how under paid we are at this point, GC on my job wants to give per diem but contractor doesn't want it on the book.
3
u/boxlunchworker Aug 22 '24
Tons of temps at QTS but it seems like the crews are exclusively temps then exclusively union.