Union

Can someone who works as a union welder tell me a little bit about them? When you start with a union do you start out at the very bottom regardless of experience? Are there many layoffs and what is the procedure when you are laid off? A friend told me that when you get laid off your name gets put on a list and you don't get to go back to work until everyone on the list before you goes back to work, is this true?

Yes you start at the bottom. BUT you may be able to start a little higher up. If you are already a welder and have some experance you might be abel to get in a little better poission. Remember that the uion is how you know and what you know. I have a jurnymens machienest card but I am a welder. Get to someone in the locol you want to join. good luck.

There may be a welders union some place out there, but being able to weld is like having a tool in your belt. Welding is a skill. As far as union trades go, pipefitters, ironworkers, sheetmetalworkers, and even electricians all do some welding. The days are pretty much history that someone is hired to only do the welding. In many unions you have to be cross trained in other jobs to stay competitive as a welder. Keep in mind good out of position welders are not a dime a dozen but many welders have to both weld and fit. Union pay is lower for beginners typically if you are in an apprenticeship otherwise if you are able to do the work you may possibly get paid scale even if you are not a union member working a union job.