Finally
Posted: January 11th, 2008, 12:37 pm
Back in 2002 I was unfairly discriminated against by the local electrical union hall and their apprenticeship committee. I filed charges with the labor board and they stopped the unfair treatment to an extent. This happened 2 months before I was to finish my electrical schooling. In the Spring of 2003 attended our graduation and banquet as I was invited to do. I had scored an A on my final exam, had completed all my on the job hours, and was anxiously awaiting my completion certificate so I could get my Journeyman wireman's ticket from the IBEW. My name was called at the banquet, I went up front, but was handed an empty envelope. Everyone else had their certificate in their envelope.
To make a long, long story short I received my JW ticket today. I spent most of the day at the local union hall and filled out the necessary paperwork. The labor board sued the apprenticeship and union for unfair labor practices, imagine that. The case ended in the summer of 2006. The apprenticeship drug their feet and then appealed the decision. Currently we are awaiting a decision from the 6th circuit court of appeals but I have been cleared to get my credentials, which I earned, and back pay (which I am waiting on) which could be around $150,000. I'll take it one step at a time but i do have my Journeyman ticket now.
This clears me to go back to work in the field which I was trained and for a union contractor which will provide complete health care insurance for my entire family, all 8 of us and I can get a vasectomy
, a retirement account that over $2 per hour I work will be donated to (no cost to me at all), not to mention over $20 per hour on the check.
I am so glad this is all about to be behind us. The International union came in and totally revamped how things are done locally, the apprenticeship director was forced to resign, they are looking for his replacement and I have been asked by 2 people to apply (oh the irony), and things seem to be much different now.
I am just relieved to have my JW ticket now. It's mostly a mental and emotional thing because it doesn't make me a better electrician. It's just a relief and a goal accomplished.
To make a long, long story short I received my JW ticket today. I spent most of the day at the local union hall and filled out the necessary paperwork. The labor board sued the apprenticeship and union for unfair labor practices, imagine that. The case ended in the summer of 2006. The apprenticeship drug their feet and then appealed the decision. Currently we are awaiting a decision from the 6th circuit court of appeals but I have been cleared to get my credentials, which I earned, and back pay (which I am waiting on) which could be around $150,000. I'll take it one step at a time but i do have my Journeyman ticket now.
This clears me to go back to work in the field which I was trained and for a union contractor which will provide complete health care insurance for my entire family, all 8 of us and I can get a vasectomy
, a retirement account that over $2 per hour I work will be donated to (no cost to me at all), not to mention over $20 per hour on the check.
I am so glad this is all about to be behind us. The International union came in and totally revamped how things are done locally, the apprenticeship director was forced to resign, they are looking for his replacement and I have been asked by 2 people to apply (oh the irony), and things seem to be much different now.
I am just relieved to have my JW ticket now. It's mostly a mental and emotional thing because it doesn't make me a better electrician. It's just a relief and a goal accomplished.
