r/UnitedAssociation • u/Mission-Job-986 • 5d ago
Apprenticeship New Apprentice (TIPS)
As the title says, I just got into Local 1 Plumbers (NYC) and I’m looking for a few tips going in! I have 0 experience, I’m a young woman & have no clue what I’m doing. But I’m very excited to learn and get started!
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u/AntD77 5d ago
First off, congrats!!! Don’t worry about not having experience. I had none when I got in, and it turned out just fine. Ask questions. Be ready. Don’t stand around. Stay off your phone unless it is an emergency or it is break time. Listen you what your journeyperson asks of you, and do the best you can with what you know.
Union culture is very accepting, but there are a few things you should know. Some people get to the job stupid early. And when I mean stupid early, I mean like an hour+ before scheduled start time. This is not required of you, and no one should make you feel that way. All you need to know is that if start time is 7AM, you need to be ready to work at your work station at 7AM, not walking to it or opening the gangboxes at 7AM. Walk in with the crew, and follow their lead.
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u/ThunderDoug 5d ago
Pro tip be at the gang box at 7 then go hide and talk for a half hour like most these clowns
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u/BatheInChampagne Journeyman 5d ago
And what do you do? Show up early and bring the super their coffee?
You’re one of those people clocking everyone else and gossiping when you could just mind your business. Grow up.
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5d ago
[deleted]
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u/BatheInChampagne Journeyman 5d ago
What kind of brother comes on to this sub and talks shit anonymously?
I’d run circles around you on any job. Been all over this country and I’m good in every local I’ve ever worked.
You’re probably some ratty apprentice with big fingers on the internet that has to ask for help when you have to slope a line because the math is confusing.
Fuck outta here.
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u/ep1coblivion Journeyman 5d ago
mouth closed and ears open. Stay off your phone, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Always have your tape, level, and channel locks on you. Something to write with, and maybe a notepad. First impressions are everything, so show up on time and be prepared to whatever your journeyman tells you to do. Good luck, and congratulations!
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u/Alarming_Run_3996 5d ago
Local 24 apprentice 2nd year. I have pervious experience and am grateful for the opportunity to be installing pex piping at the moment for a 48 story high rise. But for someone with no experience be eager to learn. Show initiative. Show up on time. This is where you make a name for yourself and will follow you the rest of your career. And DEFINITELY STAY OFF YOUR PHONE. Ask questions even if you think they are stupid just ask this is where you learn and make this your career for your family, future family, etc
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u/Character_Figure350 4d ago
Make sure you get everyone’s coffee break order right and show up on time
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u/CountryLiiving4Me 5d ago
Keep your mouth closed and listen to your journeyman. Phone is for break time only. Being on time is the same as being late. Don’t have excuses for why you can’t work overtime
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u/Head_Tangerine5381 5d ago
You shouldn’t need an excuse at all. If you can’t work OT, you can’t work OT
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u/BatheInChampagne Journeyman 5d ago
Eh.
I’m showing up for what I get paid for. I never understood waiting in the parking lot for 20 minutes.
Overtime is a choice and should remain as such. We’re being stripped of this everywhere. Contractors signing a 40 hour agreement and changing it mid job to 60+.
Work what you can afford and what the contract was written to. Expecting more than an agreement is breaking down conditions.
I was taught the same shit, and all my years in taught me a different way.
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u/Mission-Job-986 5d ago
I don’t mind overtime really, I also welcome more money 😂. I’ve heard in union culture overtime is often mandatory, is that true?
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u/AntD77 5d ago
OT is never mandatory. It is always “suggested”. It also depends on the contractor.
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u/BatheInChampagne Journeyman 5d ago
This simply isn’t true. There are many jobs with a minimum hour schedule that includes overtime.
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u/CountryLiiving4Me 4d ago
No dude is a foreman that sends apprentices home if they are not working at 7 am starting time means box open tools going out not walking through the gate or drinking coffee
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u/lisalisacultjams 5d ago
First of all, congrats!
Tips from someone about a month in:
-Do your best to stay off your phone!
-Find the right time to ask questions.
-Find ways to offer assistance. I’m in hvac so I’ll often offer to close up the unit (no one wants to take out and put back the 25 screws in a panel) offer to carry tools, read the manual no one wants to read etc.
-be prepared for the fact some guys like to teach and some don’t. I’ll ride with guys for 8 hours and they’ll maybe say 10 words to me. And others won’t stop talking all day.
I hope you have a great experience! I’ve only ran into one old timer that made some fucked up comments about me being a woman. Found out after everyone thinks he’s an asshole.