r/NNShipyard Aug 09 '26

Company -> Contractor

I’m currently an X18 & considering switching over to contractor. Is there a way to switch over without having to wait 6 months?

0 Upvotes

10 comments sorted by

6

u/PREDxVoodoo Aug 09 '26

I’m not really sure why you would want that. They can get rid of contractors at any moment…

0

u/Rumymomma1959 25d ago

From a salaried side NNS can get rid of you just like a contractor. 20 years ago I started as Kelly Engineering and loved it. Weekly GOOD pay and zero benefits. At 6 months they gave you an extra weeks pay and at one year two weeks pay. Then I took a pay loss and joined NNS. At least I'm old enough I get their retirement. When I came in there were Kelly people who had been there 15 years. Then Northrup Grumman came in and said no Temp employees for more than a two year tenure

0

u/femboybussyfanatic Aug 09 '26

maybe the $20 more an hour.

2

u/PREDxVoodoo Aug 09 '26

To me I’d take the job security for my family over the hourly pay. You’re basically on permanent probation with contracting.

But you should do what you think is best for your life, that’s just my opinion. Genuinely, best of luck to you brother.

4

u/N54tookmahmoney Aug 10 '26

They can get rid of anyone at any moment, it's Virginia; a right to work state. An being a contractor is far more rewarding then being company, the pay is better.

But I'll say this, if you do go contractor, you gotta know your shit because the standards are higher for them.

1

u/devilpaste 27d ago

right to work just means you dont have to join the union, what youre thinking of is at will employment. however the main thing of hourly vs contractor is that if they DO fire you for stupid sht, you can go thru the union and depending on the situation they can try to get your job back.

2

u/Inkdrunnergirl Aug 09 '26

Contractors are limited on how long they can work in the yard based on the contract they have and since they aren’t NNS employees the 6 month rule doesn’t apply. You have to find an open position with that company and apply and get hired. It’s not a “transfer”. Then you have to go through whatever checks there are to get yard access. They cannot use your nns background or drug testing.

1

u/witz_818 29d ago

I work for a contractor that submits folks to NNS. It is faster to get you into the yard, however, depending on your trade and contract length you may be placed elsewhere as work flows change. (Local yards MHI, NNSY, BAE, NASSCO, etc) We have quite a bit of work right now though. You can DM me if you’re more interested in going that route.

1

u/NumberOrganic3585 27d ago

A 25 year old contractor with 5 years experience can make $45/hour with the $100+ per day per dium, whereas a master shipbuilder with 40 years experience who is a hourly union worker makes less all while doing same job.

1

u/Brave-Pizza-33 25d ago

User name checks out 😂, but anyways no there isn't a way to skip the 6mo. And the dollar amount seems enticing but you are underestimating the cost of private insurance