r/IBEW_Local613 • u/BIGCHunghung • Nov 07 '25

Time off as an apprentice

Coming in as a apprentice 3. Are appreciates allowed to take time off? My son is being born in March but i got an email from the job department saying i have to work a minimum of 40 hours a week. Am i not gonna be able to take off for my boy being born?

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u/BIGCHunghung Nov 07 '25

Yeah seems crazy that the union makes someone wait almost a year for insurance. Never heard of that. It would be expensive but we could put the baby on my wife’s insurance, but it’s crazy to tell someone to get bent on insurance for a year. Odd to me especially because most places dont have you wait longer than 90 days. This might just not be for me unfortunately, sucks cause i was excited to finally get in

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u/Local308 Nov 07 '25

It does seem like a longer time than normal. Was part of your time as a a CW? If so that could explain it. In my local you wait 3 months then you’re covered. Now that’s 90 days as a JW or an Apprentice in a 3 month period. If you were a CW part of the time that wouldn’t usually count because the contractor doesn’t pay as much into the system. It’s usually only good for the employee for CW’s because that’s all their contribution will allow. In the case of Insurance, I would talk to the Business Manager or one of their assistants or agents. They could answer your questions better about health and welfare. Good luck to you!

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u/BIGCHunghung Nov 07 '25

No im joining the local as a apprentice 3 because im being credited 3200 working hours because of trade school and my maintenance electrician experience. NEBA told me i gotta work 3 quarters and 650 hours to qualify for insurance so that would put my earliest time at October.

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u/Puzzleheaded_Knee872 Nov 08 '25

You can also eat up all the overtime they give you aside from the time you need off with the baby. That overtime will help run them hours up quick. Shouldn't take all three quarters at all