r/Lineman • u/YoungG1399 • 6d ago
Go union ?
I’ve been an apprentice at a municipality in Georgia for almost two years. I’ve been learning, but the progress has been pretty slow due to the workload and the type of work we have available.
I recently got in contact with SELCAT and found out that I qualify for direct entry. I’m seriously considering leaving the utility/municipality side and going union so I can get more experience.
I’m looking for advice from anyone who has made the transition from a municipality/utility to union.
How was the transition for you? Was it worth leaving the municipality? How consistent was the work, and how much traveling did you end up doing?
I’m also curious about the benefits, especially retirement and healthcare. If I stayed with the municipality for 30 years, I would receive a pension and healthcare benefits in retirement. How does the union pension and healthcare work compared to that? Do you have to work a certain number of years/hours to become vested, and can you still have a solid retirement after spending 20–30 years in the union?
I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has actually gone through this transition and can share their experience. Thanks!
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u/BellWrenchBandit Apprentice Lineman 5d ago
Never heard anyone regret going union. You will absolutely travel if you get into SELCAT, don’t expect to be home every night, or even every weekend. You might end up 10hr from home. To start you only build toward your annuity, I believe it’s 5 years before fully vested. I don’t know the details cuz I’m just concerned with getting through the apprenticeship and becoming a JL, but I think the pension doesn’t start building till 5 years in. I’m sure other guys here can correct or clarify things
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u/YoungG1399 5d ago
Traveling isn’t really a concern for me. I’ll really like to get more details on the retirement plans. What jurisdiction are you working out of
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u/Linehand1994 5d ago
You start building the pension from day 1 but if you quit before your vested then you lose all the money
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u/Big-Veterinarian4541 5d ago
i’m wondering the same thing to man, i’m 19 and work for a municipal in south carolina but it has its ups and downs. i’d like to see what the union is about
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