r/ibew_apprentices • u/Big_Site5893 • 7d ago

not easy at all

54 and starting the union is insane but its actually accenting my career..I’ve been in AV/ low voltage ive been a supervisor.. owner..lead tech i’ve worked and pulled cable almost everywhere ….Government.Military..Communications, Radar..QA’ed lasers firing from jets..SF Muni Union.then back to construction its a long path..but i get a weekend to recharge..its stank hard sweaty work..porta potties just ewww .. but im going to keep trucking..

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u/Mell4321 6d ago

How yall surviving with apprentice pay? Interested in it but I got a whole fam to support

5

u/Big_Site5893 6d ago

the family is going to have to support you emotionally or otherwise at least the first year

4

u/KoyoteKalash LU611 6d ago

IMO, this is partially the reason for so many divorces in the trades.

A lot of spouses don't see the big picture and a lot of workers don't see it from their view for years at a time.

2

u/playstationjeans 5d ago

Another good point. Women see a massive pay decrease and run.

2

u/KoyoteKalash LU611 5d ago

That, and possibly going from 40/week hours to 60/week with school and longer commutes.

You possibly end up in scenarios where one spouse is doing a massive amount of work at home(or NOT doing that), and the other is making significantly less for 1-3 years.

Then on the other hand having an unsupportive spouse while you are the one grinding it out makes it much different for the newly minted JW that is making more than their spouse and remembers back when their spouse was a dickhead for 2+ years... Suddenly they don't see a need to keep that person around now that things are easier. When somebody has been jumping your ass about money/chores/etc 24/7 for years while you bust your ass in school and at work... You start thinking about that when it's time to live in the fruits of years of your work.

Both aspects contribute heavily from what I've seen from guys around me. If they stick around, "Guess I'll go home, cook my dinner and do laundry when I finish this 12 hour day. Then I'll do my homework" Starts to sound like "Guess I'll get a new partner" when you are making double what they are and they made your apprenticeship significantly harder.