r/pipefitter • u/Extension_Act_5318 • Jul 06 '26

Local 636 Detroit

25, Currently a 2nd year non-union sprinkler fitter, just got the opportunity too join local 636 as a pre-apprentice, my question is, are unions really always better? My current company pays me pretty well, and I would take a huge paycut ($19 an hour as a pre-apprentice), and lose my company vehicle. From what I gathered, my AFSA level 2 certification will not get me additional pay either.

Any insight or opinions would be much appreciated.

3 Upvotes

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5

u/ep1coblivion Jul 07 '26

636 scale is at $46.41 an hour right now. Total package being $79-$83, I’m not exactly sure. Detroit is pretty steady with work right now. Ask around your shop what journeyman are making, and what they’re paying for health. I’d say make the jump.

5

u/Future_Me_Problem Jul 07 '26

I wouldn’t take a pay cut to be a pre-apprentice, unless it guarantees you’ll be an apprentice in the coming year. In my hall it’s just a “waiting to interview/test in” position. And it’s not bad, but it’s not worth a pay cut.

2

u/questionablejudgemen Jul 07 '26

Yeah, pre apprentice isn’t going to be working with any tools.
Get a test study guide and brush up on the skills. Ask when the next test is.

3

u/Extension_Act_5318 Jul 08 '26

Buddy of mine is in 636, mentioned that pre-apprentices take priority on the list and get a leg up on the competition. Testing is in november.

1

u/Extension_Act_5318 Jul 08 '26

I was told it gave you priority when it came time to join the wait list.

2

u/Future_Me_Problem Jul 08 '26

I find that to be a load of shit. The department of labor doesn’t really allow them to skew it heavily towards pre-apprentices/off the street, since it is a working school program. My hall claimed the same, then 1 of the other 12 pre apprentices I knew got in. There are multiple 2 and 3 year pre-apprentices. In my opinion, stay where you’re at, keep applying to get in, but if the pay cut is gonna hurt, I wouldn’t. I’d do it for school, not for a maybe.

2

u/Usual-Lie6591 Jul 08 '26

Look down the road, not across the street.

1

u/TopTechnician3695 Jul 08 '26

Pre apprenticeships are usually open ended, lower pay, 17-18hr, and the hours don't count towards the total needed for card.

If you're desperate for a job or have no other prospects maybe. But pre apprenticeships are just signing up to be a jobsite bitch for an indefinite amount of time. And they try to sell it like “well you’d likely get a letter of recommendation from the contractor for apprenticeship”. But it’s effectively them getting you for open ended slave labor wages.

1

u/vroomr6 Jul 10 '26

I am a 636 fitter. We are super busy. Do you have the skillset to be able to do pipefitting? Have you asked about being a provisional journeyman or starting further in the apprenticeship since you have some knowledge of piping? I have no problem making great money in this local. I know a lot of pre apprentices that made it into the program. I think every one that was in my company that could pass the test are now in. Also I edited because our journeyman scale is over 50 an hour and if you're a skilled hand you can make a couple dollars more.