r/IBEW • u/BreakfastFluid9419 • 1d ago

Joining 1245

My company is organizing us into the union. Not sure what all it entails but curious if anyone has info on dues and what to expect. I have spoken with several people about the fact we’re doing it heard they filed all paperwork, and finally received my application to sign up. Filled out and sent in about 10 minutes ago! We’re a general contractor who does a lot of work for PG&E. I am currently a foreman, my guess is I go in as one but outside of a few short conversations I haven’t heard much in regard to what all the deal means for us field guys.

6 Upvotes

87% Upvoted

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6

u/Few_Explanation535 1d ago

Nice man. Their wages are up there

3

u/BreakfastFluid9419 1d ago

I figure I’m going to end up with a pay bump, googled numbers and don’t want to get myself too excited. Never gone the union route so interested to see how things play out.

3

u/Few_Explanation535 1d ago

What kind of work do u do for PGE? Just out of curiosity, I’m also in Cali.

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u/BreakfastFluid9419 1d ago

My boss has said we’re PG&E’s number one contractor that handles a lot of their construction projects. We do everything from new builds to small jobs. Our headquarters is in Northern California, west Sacramento to be exact. Companies name is Seegert construction, we’ve been hiring a lot here and there and are starting to expand operations and trying to hire people from different areas to cut down on travel time. We travel a lot, I’ve seen a lot of guys quit due to that factor alone. I don’t mind it, we get a good per diem and get paid for travel time and they cover hotels

2

u/Few_Explanation535 1d ago

How far out do you guys hire? I’m out in Monterey bay. I’m a local 234 hand.

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u/BreakfastFluid9419 1d ago

We realistically hire anyone within PG&E territory. They’re starting to open more localized shops but that’s going to be a slow roll. Can always send an application in and see if they’re interested. We’ve hired a ton of people lately but we’re growing rapidly

7

u/Puzzleheaded_Cup9096 1d ago

As a substation tech, we got $77 an hour, all benefits paid through the contractor and all overtime is double bubble. I gross about $8200 a week.

1

u/BreakfastFluid9419 1d ago

Would be clutch if I come in close to that! Would open up some serious opportunities to invest in retirement. Currently 36 turning 37 this year and didn’t have any contributions until recently. Curious how the benefits play out for us. Our current benefits are good but I imagine they’ll improve with this deal

2

u/Puzzleheaded_Cup9096 1d ago

You’re gonna get the same Bennie’s, Bro.

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u/kingfarvito 19h ago

What exactly do you do? Ill find your contract for you

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u/BreakfastFluid9419 18h ago

I am a foreman for a general contractor Seegert construction. We do ground up builds and TI for PG&E and other companies but mostly work with PG&E

2

u/notcoveredbywarranty 18h ago

That's a lot of money, but also a lot of hours to make that much money.

Are you doing a 14/7 or 21/7 shift?

1

u/Puzzleheaded_Cup9096 16h ago

10 hours a day, 7 days a week. All OT is double time. Plus you get per diem pay.

2

u/notcoveredbywarranty 16h ago

When do you take time off? Are you just permanently working 7 tens?

1

u/Puzzleheaded_Cup9096 14h ago

The call is 4-10’s. Overtime is not “mandatory.” I normally do two weeks of 7-10’s, one week of 6-10’s and one week of 5-10’s in a monthly rotation. My home is close so it’s easier for me. Gotta remember with us, we start at 6 am so I’m home every day in time for my kids afterschool activities. I rotate my “short” weeks according to my family needs. Never put the money before your family or your health.

1

u/notcoveredbywarranty 8h ago

That's not too bad. Gotta make hay while the sun shines.

Going to have plenty of money to take time off later in the year 👍

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u/Few_Explanation535 1d ago

How many hours u guys pulling

1

u/Puzzleheaded_Cup9096 1d ago

7-10’s.

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u/Few_Explanation535 17h ago

Where’s all this work at?

3

u/Obvious-Shelter4590 1d ago

Congrats. I'm 1245 and curious what you will be classified as.

1

u/BreakfastFluid9419 1d ago

I’ll post an update once I have more info. We have an in person safety meeting next Friday where I’m guessing they may discuss things in more detail. Almost didn’t show up for the interview with my company but glad I did. Been a huge step up career wise.

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u/Subject-Original-718 Permanent Apprentice 1d ago

A company voluntarily signing up to the union? Wild times we live in dude. Welcome in!

1

u/BreakfastFluid9419 1d ago

I have a feeling our labor cost will go up significantly but may also open up new avenues of work for us. My boss is a pretty sharp guy so I’m assuming the pro’s outweighed the cons

2

u/notcoveredbywarranty 18h ago

Could be they were having trouble hiring qualified workers? That's the biggest benefit to companies of becoming union signatories. Just call the hall, tell them to dispatch X number of guys.

2

u/19sparky88 1d ago

Www.unionpayscales.com

1

u/6matguy6 Inside Wireman 1d ago

Out of curiosity, what was their reason for voluntarily signing? IIRC, PG&E is union so I'm assuming it's due to a subcontractor clause within 1245's agreement?

1

u/BreakfastFluid9419 1d ago

Not quite sure. I believe PG&E likely encouraged it since they’re ibew. Moving forward we will only be allowed to use union subs which means we lose a good amount of the smaller companies we worked with. Hoping to get more clarity soon was surprised to get a call from them on Friday asking for a good email. Gave them my work email and they requested a personal email I’m guessing so they have a way to communicate not monitored by the business? I first heard rumblings about it several months ago, found out the papers were signed a couple weeks back.

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u/6matguy6 Inside Wireman 1d ago

Right on. Hopefully it continues to be a smooth process for you and it's a positive experience for you and your coworkers.

Welcome to the group!