Advice needed on moving locals
Hi all, I'm looking for some advice. I am looking for input from experienced Sheet Metal Union members, mostly.
Context: I am a woman in my thirties in the Rust Belt, USA, and chose this career path to pay our bills. Before this I've had lots of different jobs, often multiple jobs at the same time, though this is not my first time as a union member. I completed a bachelor's in the arts, I enjoy making things, but at this point I'm too tired mentally and physically to do more than work, and I'm still less than 5 years in. Work is just work, I don't love it, but I just want to have less issues
The problem is the local union I work with. I know dudes in the trades can be rough, but this feels egregious. They talk about wanting to kill anyone who looks different from them, cheer on any war in the headlines making vile comments, while saying slur after slur, and then they still have the gall to start talking bible verses. I feel like I'm taking psychic damage, and every day is feeling harder. I keep my head down, and say nothing, but it just never lessens. It's just "oh that's how he is, just ignore it" ... So I have just started avoiding talking to anyone, or eating lunch in the same spaces.
My questions are:
Is there any hope of finding a place to work in the US in my union where I don't have to deal with as much of this shit? i.e., are there some areas where its not as bad, in your experience?
If such a place existed, how would I go about doing the research to find which local to move to? Should I call halls and talk to reps? Research stats about which cities are most progressive? Doing both is my current plan, but it feels daunting to try and examine the entire country's Sheet Metal locals.
I know a perfect workplace/union doesn't exist, but I'm considering just giving up - I'm non-confrontational to a fault. I just want to do my job, do it well, and clock out without fearing for my safety every single day, or feeling extra bogged down mentally from all the horrible shit I hear. Right now, I'm feeling hopeless trying to find a way to stay sane in the trades
Thanks for any advice! I'm so tired lol