| Author | Message | ||
     Paw |
For the chance to make between $28.62 and $33.91 an hour depending on the shift you work, i will go back to a union shop and take my chances and hope my job will still be there 30 years from now. I applied to GE for 1 of there 100 machinist openings. Seems the baby boomers hit them hard on retirement they exhausted their recall list and are now going outside the doors for the rest. With my experience and qualification and the fact i have made parts for the gas turbine industry for the last 3 years i think my chances are good. This means a better life for my baby girl and I'll finally get another bike and maybe even my CTS, i always wanted. Damn i thought i would never go back to a fortune 500 company and a union. But i guess they are right. Anyone can be bought for the right price. And mine is a $10 an hour raise with awesome benefits. I currently work for a small shop making $23 an hour with OK benefits with a very minimal chance of being laid off. Do you guys think i'm making the right choice in trying a big company and the union again? And would you give it a shot? I'm figuring if they need 100 machinist chances are the job should be there for quite some time. | ||
| Wile_ecoyote |
I'm a union steel worker and am happy most of the time. Like the money. I've done both union/not. I do have issues with both and wont waste our time explaining. If you take the job and are happy, thats all that matters. As for the future, my crystal ball is broke so I cant answer that one. I dont think it has anything to do with being union or not. The economy will dictate whether you work for the next thirty at that place. Its hard to but, I try not to worry about that subject. I've had so many jobs, I know I'll never be able to retire. Probably die on the job. Again, if you find happiness, thats all that matters. Life is too short to be miserable working a job. Might as well be happy and live it up. I dont think you will have a hard time finding a new job either. (should this one not work out) Best wishes to you......Mattu | ||
| Just_ziptab |
You should be OK, just put your blinders on and do your job. Skilled labor is going to become rare with all these fat kids coming into the worker pool that only know how to run a joy stick ,can't come to work when it's raining/snowing/too hot or too cold. | ||
| Paw |
Just_ziptab, LOL that is a great reply. Had to laugh. | ||
| Crusty |
I've worked Union and non-Union jobs over the years. Union jobs usually pay better and have better benefits. As I get older, the better benefits look better all the time.(the better pay has always looked better). | ||
| Dobr24 |
I have worked at both union and non union shops. From your point of view a $10 an hour raise seems huge. What is it going to do to your tax rate? How much of that $10 are you going to realize at the end of the year. Companies like GE and other military industries are running like mad right now to keep up with increases in spending associated with Iraq and a fairly strong economy. What is going to happen when the economy tanks and the war ends? They both will eventually happen. Small shops, regardless of union affiliation, seem to position themselves better to survive these downturns. They do not overextend themselves to the point that the only solution to keeping the doors open is to lay off half their workforce. I live in a city where there is a large GE presence and have seen the layoffs many times, even had family members affected. I am constantly amazed that people always seem to go for the quick dollar regardless of risk. Good luck in your choice whatever it is. | ||
| Rainman |
I've been union and non and find problems with both. I never complained about having good union wages worked hard, took as much overtime as the seniority folks would let me have and saved for college. I often complain about the nonunion wages and benefits and work hard for less money and do all the overtime the boss says I have to, especially after they put me on salary and don't have to pay overtime. | ||
| Jumpinjewels |
My job is also union but I'm not that involved with them. I do like the regular raises I get, one in one yr and two in the next year. Don't like their political views tho. It's a job and a means to an end, not your life. Enjoy it (your life) and your family. (Message edited by jumpinjewels on September 05, 2007) | ||
| Davegess |
Keep your skills current even if you don't use them at work. Make yourself the guy they tap for new a difficult projects so you get to learn new things. Maybe get a side gig teaching at he local tech school or see if the Union or company needs instructors in an apprenticeship program. You will get paid to learn new stuff. It won't help you with a seniority type lay off BUT it will make you more employable if that happens. Save as much of the raise as you can. 529 college savings programs are good for the kid, 401k's are good for you. Stock options can be good BUT remember to keep track of them and sell enough to keep diversified. | ||
| Oldog |
Leave your current job on good terms and stay intouch with the mgmt there. If GE goes south and they remember you as a good worker you may be able to go back Good to hear that your fortunes have improved | ||
| Swampy |
Good Luck, from the guy who has never taken any chances and is comtemplating where he could have been if he wasn't scared, but now feel it is too late to do anything about it. From my life observations, the risk takers tend to be happier, and more successful in their careers, even when making job/life changes. Go for the money, don't get caught in a rut! | ||
| Paw |
Oldog, thats good advice. And i would never leave on bad terms and i was told by the future new boss where i currently work. That he always has room for one more good machinist even if he dosen't have the room. Because he knows machinist are a dying breed. | ||
| Paw |
Yes i have decided to go to GE if they call. Because i know with my experience there will always be a job the next day out there for me. I just got to live life as i am now and not go hog wild with the spending. Just make sure my baby girl is taken care of first then worry about getting my toys later. Thanks for all the advice. |
