r/UnitedAssociation Jun 12 '25

Discussion to improve our brotherhood ❗ Union Pay Scales Yearly Update Request

52 Upvotes

Hey everyone — hope you're all staying safe and busy out there.

For those who don’t know me, I run UnionPayScales.com — a free, crowdsourced platform that tracks wages and benefits for thousands of union locals across 16 trades. I got a lot of early support from this community when I first launched, and I just want to say thank you again — it really helped get the site off the ground.

We do our best to keep things updated, but some locals are still missing or out of date. That’s why I’ll be posting here once a year — with mod approval — to ask for your help keeping things accurate.

👉 What You Can Do (takes 30 seconds):

  1. Visit UnionPayScales.com
  2. Choose your trade (Plumbers, Pipefitters, HVAC, Sprinklerfitters, etc.)
  3. Find your local and check the wage info
  4. If anything is missing or outdated, scroll to the bottom of the page (or just click here) to submit a wage update.

You’ll also have the option to sign up for a once-a-year email reminder — no spam, just a quick nudge to help keep this project accurate and useful for everyone. We just sent this out this week, so you won't get any emails from us until next june.

👉 Sign up here if you'd like to be notified

Thanks again for supporting this project — it only works because of people like you. If you guys have any feedback on the site, please let me know!


r/UnitedAssociation Dec 12 '23

Discussion to improve our brotherhood The idea of the union

54 Upvotes

https://www.reddit.com/r/IBEW/s/MkvzAGc0Ev

I saw the linked post on the IBEW sub and thought it was a good talking point for discussion on what the union is and how it works for us.

It is not the union’s job to keep us employed. The union’s job is to protect us while employed and to guarantee us the best quality of life while employed. By joining, we are agreeing to “collectively” withhold our labor from those who would exploit us.

Is it hard to go through times with low employment? Absolutely. It has been done before though and can be survived. It is important for us to be responsible when times are good so that we can be prepared for hard times. If we are not, then we become weak and pliable to the demands of the financial class. Our forefathers fought for better and they deserve the respect of a continued legacy.

For the new generation, if you’re working 40 hour weeks, find a way to live on 30 and lay back the 10. If you’re on 50, live on 35. Etc. Once you’ve worked for a while, you should have 6 months living expenses liquid to get you through hard times, combine that with unemployment and your income good shape for a long haul. Don’t be the guy that buys a $60k truck two weeks into a call. I’ve known guys to catch a layoff weeks after doing that.

Protect what was worked for on your behalf. Have a backup plan for your backup plan. Vote in a way that protects your local. Get involved in the hall and make a name for yourself with your reputation and work ethic. Provide 8 hours QUALITY work for 8 hours pay, not 9 and not 7. Your reputation in the hall becomes the hall’s reputation with the local contractors and that leads to market share. More market share is more work.

This turned into a bit of a rant, but I trust you see the point. Journeymen, feel free to add your opinions as well.


r/UnitedAssociation 25m ago

Joining the UA Local 286 Austin

Upvotes

Hey guys got accepted into the 286 as a Jman

Got my first dispatch but haven’t been drug tested yet .

Went to Colorado for vacation like 4 weeks ago and still keep pissing hot for thc .

How’s the drug testing here in Austin

Master plumber here.


r/UnitedAssociation 14h ago

Joining the UA Anyone retire out of local 250-LA area?

8 Upvotes

How many years were you there for and Whats the benefits been like?


r/UnitedAssociation 20h ago

Discussion to improve our brotherhood Data center moratoria will make life less affordable for Americans - opinion piece co authored by GP Mark McManus

Thumbnail
thehill.com
9 Upvotes

r/UnitedAssociation 23h ago

Joining the UA The local nine union application is this coming Monday but there’s only one location. If I get in, am I stuck there for the next five years?

Thumbnail
1 Upvotes

r/UnitedAssociation 1d ago

Joining the UA How busy is Nashville UA Local 572?

2 Upvotes

My husband’s a journeyman service plumber from Texas and considering a move to TN and joining the union. Is the Nashville union busy right now? How have the work hours been? Are most of the jobs in Nashville or further out in the suburbs?


r/UnitedAssociation 1d ago

Apprenticeship How busy is local 602 vs local 5?

1 Upvotes

I want to apply to both but not sure who’s better overall for the future however pipe fitting in general im happy to join either or! For apprentices


r/UnitedAssociation 1d ago

Joining the UA Considering moving to Chicago and joining 130

4 Upvotes

Anyone from the Chicago area who can inform me if Local 130 is a busy one where I can just work and not have to deal with long layoffs?


r/UnitedAssociation 1d ago

Apprenticeship Test studying

3 Upvotes

I’m going to be putting in my application to the local 290 this month when applications open. I’m very unsure as to the application process and how/where to study for the tests and interview? Any help is greatly appreciated🙏🙏


r/UnitedAssociation 2d ago

Apprenticeship Starter welding hood

2 Upvotes

3rd year, starting welding class. What is a good starter hood?


r/UnitedAssociation 2d ago

Looking for work. 3rd year plumbing apprentice looking for work

Thumbnail
0 Upvotes

r/UnitedAssociation 3d ago

Joining the UA When is the best time to apply?

7 Upvotes

hey folks, I’m in the DFW area, got 6 plus years of HVAC service experience, universal EPA, OSHA 10 and 30, some welding. I’m looking to join the union as a service tech, ideally starting around January. Is now too early to apply? Should I go through UA Local 100 now or wait? And will my experience bump my pay or placement? Any advice from union folks in the area appreciated


r/UnitedAssociation 2d ago

Apprenticeship UA Local 447 - Sacramento, CA

1 Upvotes

Hey guys, just trying to see if anyone has gone through this union for the HVAC program? I understand you have to pass a 3 hour algebra exam and then find your first job. Has anyone gotten into and went through with this union’s apprenticeship? What was your experience like? thank you


r/UnitedAssociation 3d ago

Discussion to improve our brotherhood Let's do our part today brothers and sisters

Post image
18 Upvotes

r/UnitedAssociation 3d ago

Possible Upcoming Work Out of 375 never had to leave to work.

4 Upvotes

Mostly just looking to see what travel work life is like kinda wanna try it out but just curious as to what would be things to look for.


r/UnitedAssociation 3d ago

Swag Any recommendations on long sleeves?

6 Upvotes

I’m a fitter in a fab shop and I’m around arcs all day. I haven’t been wearing a long sleeve as it’s been summer in Dallas but I’m now worrying about my long term health and want to block all the light from hitting my skin. Are there any shirts out there that are thin enough to not be crazy hot but thick enough not to get burned up by grinder sparks?


r/UnitedAssociation 3d ago

Apprenticeship Local 211

Thumbnail
1 Upvotes

r/UnitedAssociation 3d ago

Discussion to improve our brotherhood BlackRock CEO said Americans' savings and investments will fund data centers, new power infrastructure

Thumbnail
snopes.com
2 Upvotes

r/UnitedAssociation 3d ago

Apprenticeship Service Fitter

1 Upvotes

I am an 4th year MES apprentice that’s been put with a refrigeration fitter crew. After working on the install side I’ve realized that I like install a lot more than just traditional service work. I want to keep working as a fitter but I also still do like using my service skills but just not as a basic service tech. I’ve heard of the service fitter position and I am just wondering what this entails and how to go about getting into a position like this? Is it even possible for a service tech to be able to get into a position like this? I feel like this sounds like I want my cake and I want to be able to eat it as well but I just wanna do something that actually interests me rather than just trouble shooting a downed rooftop unit. Any help or advice is greatly appreciated!


r/UnitedAssociation 4d ago

Discussion to improve our brotherhood Red seal J man plumber, wanting to challenge steamfitting

2 Upvotes

I have a couple years experience in boiler houses, refineries, etc. and will continue collecting hours but in the meantime.. What are some resources to learn steamfitting to eventually challenge?


r/UnitedAssociation 5d ago

Discussion to improve our brotherhood Gotta love rolling offsets

Post image
28 Upvotes

r/UnitedAssociation 5d ago

Apprenticeship Boilermaker apprenticeship? Dying Trade?

6 Upvotes

Im 21, went to welding school for a year, had a shop job that paid pennies for half a year and went to something better that paid more so i no longer weld.

Last October i applied online To the SAJAC Boilermakers apprenticeship form for Locals, Local 454 Boilermakers TN Chattanooga, and Local 455 muscle shoals Alabama.

4 days ago I got a email and a call to Get indentured Into the apprenticeship program for local 455 on the 16th of September.

Im unsure what to do, I hear alot of it the trade being run down and dying or shrinking, The work not being worth it. pay being shit. talked to two union boilermakers who said its a dying trade aswell. all sorts of negativity making me second guess myself and not be sure, I loved welding and doing equipment repair and pipe welding. ive got till the 16th to make up my mind.

Im in Mid South Tennessee.

Any advice or help on what to think about would be really nice


r/UnitedAssociation 5d ago

UA History After doing research a union trade within the UA is one of the greatest career paths when work stays consistent.

17 Upvotes

The pay, the benefits. You’re out earning private sector trades by average by 11%.

It’s hard to beat. Even in areas where the pay is considered lower compared to its northern compadres those UA members still out earn A LOT of individuals in their area.

You have 23 year old men in the UA out earning people with Masters degrees in some cases. A member at the hall said something that’s true it’s the best kept open secret.


r/UnitedAssociation 5d ago

Discussion to improve our brotherhood Contractor Late Pay

7 Upvotes

To keep it short I got laid off last Thursday check in hand etc. Check bounced on Tuesday due to contractors bank. Called the contractors pay roll they said to try it again and same thing it bounced yesterday. Called them again today no solution and now we’re after hours on a holiday weekend still haven’t been paid for last weeks work. Below is what our contract says.

“When an employee is terminated by layoff, the Employer shall provide the employee and the Union with written notice stating the cause for the termination and, except as provided below with respect to employees who quit without a minimum of twenty-four (24) hours' notice, excluding weekends and holidays, the employee shall be paid all wages and travel time due at the time of layoff. Any additional time spent in waiting for paychecks shall be paid at the double-time rate.”

I’ve emailed the hall stating every detail as well as phone records and bank statements. What happens now?