Union Plumber Vs. Non & Opportunity

[@Allergic2broke]

Hey Joon, thanks for all the info. I just got accepted into my local union apprenticeship program here in northern ca. I am super pumped about it. The only thing I am worried about is taking a pay cut and lay off… maybe I’m overthinking it. Currently, I make $28 at my job but I’ve been here 12 years too long. I would love to hear your advice on what you think is the best thing to do. Your videos helped me get this far and it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you 🙏

[@JoonRhee]

Love the user name man! Made me laugh and agree! Being broke sucks! Anyway super big congrats on getting in! Seriously one of the hardest parts of this journey. Hands down my friend....you be at $28 in less than 2 years. But don't just look at the money on the check. It's your whole package benefits. You'll be making more in less than a year. Anyway, don't worry about layoffs. Become an asset to your company and you won't have to worry about it. Become valuable to yourself in this trade and you won't ever look back! Congrats! Thanks for stopping in. Keep me posted!

[@Allergic2broke]

@@JoonRhee thank you my friend. I truly appreciate it 🙏

[@JoonRhee]

@@Allergic2broke you got this.

[@Bbhhvvuuuhrrdc]

Another amazing video

[@JoonRhee]

Thanks Ethan! Sorry I forgot to shout you out on this one! Appreciate you asking the question and I tried to give all the details I knew of! Keep it up

[@kaibrampton2132]

I got hired by a non union company and I'm starting tomorrow. Once I find a unionized company going to leave them in a heart beat.

[@JoonRhee]

Way to go Kai! Thanks for the fill in! And take all you can with this experience and it will help you score higher in or during the interview and application process!

[@tweety5653]

Have you had any layoffs? What places have you traveled to work? Also how’s the math entrance exam? I just signed up last week and have my math entrance exam on the 12th

[@JoonRhee]

Congrats on signing up! The 2 hardest things in my opinion is getting in and sticking with it. My entrance exam was not easy if you didn't study. I have a few videos on the prep work I did if you want more info on that. The math isn't hard...but I hadn't done a lot of that kind of math since high school so I had to brush up for sure. And layoffs do happen bc of a few reasons, usually the man power is just to high for the company which I've seen most companies want to keep the good ones working so they find a way. And the second is bc you just don't cut it and there is always usually a reason behind why people get laid off..and most of the ones I've seen are bc of lack of work ethic and production.... It's competitive. Thankfully I have not been laid off. And I've been with the same.company since starting my career 4 years ago. I've not traveled for plumbing but a good amount of people.do. thanks for the questions. Hope you do well. Keep me.posted and check out some of the other content that might help with your journey.

[@patriciachou4312]

hey joon, appreciate your videos! about to start a union apprenticeship, and curious about any experiences you've had about service plumbing. i understand that it can be dirtier and less straightforward than new construction, but that's honestly appealing in a way. have you heard of anyone doing that after/during union apprenticeship?

[@JoonRhee]

Good for you!!!! Well done! And is it residential or commercial service? I don't have any background in commercial service as of yet. But from what I understand is you'll for sure be doing more problem solving and it might a bit hard trying to visualize an entire system behind walls. I'd say getting a glimpse like I have in the commercial world just goes to show how the whole thing works and connecting those dots might be a bit harder never seeing the whole thing. But you'll probably touch hvac maybe even some pipefitting work! You'll for sure learn if you simply want too and just stick with it! Keep me informed! Congrats again

[@driftless1870]

Congrats on getting to regionals! Good perspective and explanation.

[@JoonRhee]

Thanks partner! Got there twice! My 4th and 2nd year! Took 2nd and 4th:( wish I could have gone to nationals!

[@R3Dske]

Union is WAY better more often than not. Non union companies will offer as little as they possibly can in terms of pay and benefits. Also they will try to put you in a truck in about a year or two just so you can generate income. All the while they will tell you that your lucky to be an apprentice (helper) and you should work late come in early and be happy to work 55+ hours a week. Also they arent as big on workplace safety as unionand training isn't regimented at all so you will learn different stuff from different people and get schooling in such a haphazard way its almost a joke.

[@JoonRhee]

Thank you for commenting on this brother! Wow! Sounds like you have experienced both! The training we get is really really good. We carry a standard even saying we are union. Now make no mistake, there are good plumbers and bad plumbers on both sides. That's just a fucking fact. Yet, I could not be happier with my choice to go through the apprenticeship..even though I have one semester left...of 5 years!!!! It's a very valuable asset..thanks for sharing this. Join the tribe brother!

[@denvercharlebois699]

I start my first day as a plumbing apprentice July 18th. I had a question regarding age. Is it normal to see a 29 year old go into the trade or is it mostly young high school graduates?

[@JoonRhee]

Nice brother! Depends on your state. But I'll fill you in on a little secret...I am 35 currently so I still have one more year....haha so I was an old guy. And to be honest getting high school kids is great but a lot of them still live at home. And so they don't know the value of benefits and well....a paycheck. I don't know about you but I gots to get paid and therefore I had to put up with being on the bottom and doing grunt work. But that's what I have learned from and I would 100% have an older person who has more to lose. Way more teachable in the long run. But you gotta just grind it out

[@denvercharlebois699]

@@JoonRhee Do you make a lot at your current term ? Here the place I start at is union and the hr told me that a licensed plumber here makes 45 an hour.

[@JoonRhee]

@@denvercharlebois699 right on brother! Is that on the check? Our JM make 42 on the check and $58ish package. And 5th year is making $32 so very liveable. But it's worth the wait..and a great career. I can't believe I get paid to do this. Stay focused and look at the long term

[@denvercharlebois699]

@@JoonRhee Yea it seems like a very liveable wage. Wanting to save up now to afford a house in the near future as it seems more realistic now.

[@denvercharlebois699]

I'm not sure what the package entails as I start July 18th. The hr lady just said they make 45 an hour as a fully licensed plumber.

[@austinhagin7378]

👍

[@JoonRhee]

Oh stop! You are to sexy!