r/UnitedAssociation

Hey everyone so I’ve been working on this project for close to a year now. And I am having a hard time deal with coworkers, and it’s causing me to stress a lot more than I would like. I want to quit but right now there isn’t a lot of jobs in my area so I feel stuck in this project dealing with my coworkers. I’m not saying i am better than everyone or whatever or think i am some perfect plumber. But i’ve been doing it for many years and i’ve had a bit of experience doing what we do. And i’ve been trying to get promoted in a supervisor role but they always give it to someone who doesn’t know what they’re doing, and every time i ask them a question it just ends up with me figuring it out so i don’t even bother

I just passed the aptitude test and have the interview on july 27th i have my osha 10 and my EPA. What else can i do to better my chances at joining and how many ppl get accepted each period?

Hi everyone, I will be starting as a first year on a project next month for two years. My question is, what opportunities do apprentices have to travel? I’m very interested in traveling across the country doing shutdowns, do you typically have to be in a local that specializes in that or can apprentices travel from outside too?

I’m a helper right now until the next go round but I have a friend who works at a fab shop. He was saying they are about to go to 7-12s for the next 3 years. Am I the only one who thinks that’s insane ? How does one balance work and home life ? What are you guys working ?

Hello everyone, just looking for some advice before reaching out to the UA.

Ok so I was a member of a local from late 2022 to early 2026. Was a 25 yr old 3rd year when I departed.

But…I went about it the wrong way. Parents were going through a rough divorce and then my father passed in the middle of it all. I was not mentally checked in at that point. I never missed a day of work when I probably should have taken some time off to recoup.

Work ended up slowing down for me whether that was because the company actually had little to no work, but possibly I wasn’t being the best worker because I was mentally not checked in 100%.

I ended up asking to be let go from the contractor, then went to the hall and was talking to the board, said I wanted to continue on but they were saying basically I should have sucked it up and figured it out.

So I said F this and left without completing the current school year and also without signing proper termination paperwork with the local. (I know, a horrible decision).

Now, I’m in ibew on a HVAC maintenance contract working with complete slacks. I have much more pride in my work to stay here. I realize I loved the work I was doing and would love to rejoin a different local. (Just because I heard the schooling and benefits are much better)

What are the chances I can rejoin the UA?

Thanks in advance

I got into the trades last year after working food service jobs for 13 years. I was laid off and while looking for work got into the plumbing helper program. Started at a fab shop for one of the largest mechanical engineering companies. No field work and no prior experience working in construction. Both my grandpas worked construction so I have had family in the trades.

We ran out of work last March and nearly the entire shop was laid off. That same week I found out I got accepted into the apprenticeship program. I got placed with another contractor this past April. Until 2 weeks ago, they had me driving truck and doing deliveries while my other classmates were doing hands on plumbing work.

I mention this because classes start in September and I feel like I’m way behind my classmates.

I got sent out to the field two weeks ago, slow start on that project so I only got a couple days of drilling holes in. Then I got called back to drive truck while the other new driver was doing demo work.

Today they told me that they’re running out of work and have no where to place me so they laid me off. Told me they would put in a good word in for me at the hall.

I’m 33, I got bills to pay and doing so on the first year wages has left me on very thin ice. I’m still trying to get caught up on past rent and utilities from my last lay off.

I don’t know if financially I can deal with the low pay and inconsistent work. If this layoff last more than a week, I’m almost certainly going to lose my housing. I’m probably going to need to drop out of the program for this reason.

It sucks. When I graduated high school in 2011, construction was still reeling from the recession where I grew up and trades weren’t a great option then. I tried college, got my degree but never found work. Worked in food service jobs and although I made more money, i still felt unhappy. I wanted to work in the trades because I like working with my hands, problem solving, and it’s work where you actually see your progress. But now I feel like I’m at a dead end.

Not many journeymen or foreman seem keen on working with first year apprentices either. The two weeks I was in the field, my foreman was always cussing me out for not knowing how to do some tasks and was very hesitant to even show me. I was often resorting to YouTube. At the end of the day he always said I did great, so it worked. But I figured “on the job training” involved more than watching YouTube tutorials.

Anyways. Is this a normal experience for a first year?

Hey y'all 👋
I'm looking for some advice or maybe even a referral if anyone knows of a company hiring.
I passed the Local 447 union apprenticeship exam last December with the goal of starting an HVAC apprenticeship, but I've been having a really tough time finding a contractor willing to sponsor me or even an entry-level position as a pre-apprentice or helper.
I've reached out to just about every contractor on the list, emailed my application anywhere I could, and I check company websites almost daily hoping to catch a new opening. So far, I haven't heard back from a single company—not even a rejection email.
Since then, I've earned my EPA Universal (Type I, II, & III) certification, picked up the basic HVAC tools, and I'm ready to get to work. I'm eager to learn, work hard, and build a career in the trade. I just need someone willing to give me that first opportunity.
If anyone knows of a company that's hiring, has suggestions on places I should apply, or has any advice on getting my foot in the door, I'd really appreciate it.
Thanks in advance!

Kind of crazy but I’m just a 29 year old first year out 469. I’m wanting a new environment but love the union, what states are booming with work that an apprentice could transfer out to. I want to be in the pnw or maybe east coast. Hate comments leave to yourself please

Is the union for plumbing worth joining nowadays? I’ve been out of plumbing for a few years and I would really like to get back into it. I worked in the private sector but never the union and always wanted to. I recently got the opportunity to join. Also I’m in New Jersey. Thoughts?

I submitted my application recently but got an email saying that they already finalized the selection process for fall semester, and I’ll be considered for next available semester which is either spring ( January ) or or fall ( August 2027 ) …. They also asked if I’m interested in working as a provisional apprentice.

My question is : is it worth it working as a provisional apprentice or no ? Does that improve ur chances of getting selected for the next available semester ? And another question that might seem funny, do the hours you work as a provisional apprentice count towards ur apprenticeship hours in case you are accepted into the program later ?

So, I'm hoping for a bit of insight on my current situation. I've been doing temp work for a few years now. About 8 or 9 months ago I decided that I wanted something more. I decided I wanted to enter a trade. The trades that interested me most are plumbing and welding. I started seriously pursuing this a few months ago.

I know how good of a career the local unions in my area can offer. I'm located in Macomb County, MI. The unions in my area I'm looking at would be Local 98 Plumbers, Local 636 Pipe fitters, Local 190 Ann Arbor, and local 370 Flint.

A little about myself... I'm 37 and my work experience is in factories on the line... Production if you will. I don't have experience on the job site or anything like that. After a while I became fed up and thats when I decided I wanted to do this. I decided it was best to apply to the union with some sort of experience so I thought I could get some welding certs and that could allow me to get a welding job or start doing something at least similar to what I want to be doing. I'm just so tired of working these production jobs that don't give a shit about you, treat you like garbage and I'm fed up with it.

I applied to the Michigan Reconnect program and got accepted and Michigan is paying for me to get my welding certs or degree. Currently, I'm on track for the degree, though I may stop and get the certs and then just go get experience. My ultimate goal is the union anyway. So, I'm doing Math for the Trades now and Blueprint Reading. And start my Welding classes in August.

In the meantime I've been applying for jobs in the field to gain some experience. I interviewed with several mechanical contractors in my area. None of them have panned out. I sat down with a large contractor that would try to get me in as a helper at a company in Pontiac. I interviewed today at a company that is a Union contractor that I'm waiting to hear back about. The advice I have gotten is that I need to just go to the hall and fill out an application. I guess what I am asking is what the best way to go about this is. I wanted to apply to the union from a position of strength, not just a factory worker, maybe to feel like I actually have a chance. I know 636 is accepting applications in December and Ann Arbor 190 is accepting application starting January 2. I plan on studying for the aptitude test. I have Barron's Mechanical aptitude study guide and I'm practicing my math all the time, plus I'd argue my Math for the trades class has been helpful and I also will be using Kahn Academy.

I'd say the hardest part of this whole thing is even getting my foot in the door. I don't have experience as a plumber or welder, but I want to badly do this. I have been trying to do this. The contractors I've interviewed have said just go to the hall just go to the hall. If the one I Interviewed with brings me on they said they'd guide me through and take the "backdoor" to the union. Honestly, in my mind I'm thinking I'm gonna end up just studying for the aptitude test and doing the best I can. By December I plan to have my AWS cert in MIG welding and gas and arc. I realize they aren't as valuable as a UA cert but you gotta start somewhere!

I'm really looking for some practical advice. I'll be the first to admit I don't know a ton more about this, how to join, how to do this. I want to do this though. I feel like the way I'm going will work in time. Currently I plan on going to the hall soon and asking about pre-apprentice positions or what I can do. So, again any advice or direction would be great. I am fully committed to this. So, if you made it this far thanks for reading and I greatly appreciate it.

As a UA member with a fully vested pension and annuity, What (if any) are fellow members doing for separate retirement accounts ie. Roth IRA? Or if not a separate account are you contributing to your annuity alongside your company, and if so what percentage?

Specifics would be appreciated

Hey everyone! I just got my ranking for the Local 189 apprenticeship, and it was further back than I was hoping. I’m still excited to have made the eligibility list, but I’m trying to get a realistic idea of what to expect.
About how many apprentices does Local 189 usually take each year?
Does the list tend to move quite a bit because people decline, fail drug tests, or choose other jobs?
For those who have been through the process recently, how long did you wait for a call, and what kind of ranking did you start with (if you’re comfortable sharing)?
Just trying to get an idea of whether I should expect to wait a few months or closer to a year. Thanks!

Currently 3 holes in to (12) 12"x1" holes loaded with big rebar. We have a pile of rebar eaters but we already torched one.

What is the/your best practice for making one last, and cut most efficiently?

Epoxy anchors, so no oil can be used. Drilling with a two speed Milwaukie hole hawg on low.

What should I prepare for aptitude test ( math portion ) ?

Any suggestions would greatly be appreciated.

2 months into ground work and I haven’t learned anything if I’m honest. All I do is labor. Dig dirt & Hand tools to the JM workers. They don’t let me do any work.. is this worth bringing up to the superintendent suggesting I am not learning? Out of my control too we got 9 man people for a 3-4 max type of job.. most of time half of us are standing watching

Hello, I'm looking for advice on transferring. I am a 1st year plumber apprentice in Texas, but I plan on eventually transferring to Chicago. I'm currently in school and will finish in 1 - 2 years, so I know I'll transfer after I finish school.

Would it be better to wait until I journey out or to transfer as an apprentice?