Overtime, 40 hours,
man-camps, supporting two households
What jobs to chase is a question of
personal taste. You can make just as much money working a steady
40 hour job week in a Local that has a high wage and benefit
package rather than to chase time jobs all over the country. If
you decide to chase overtime jobs, you better be in the
"loop", able to jump and run at a moment's notice,
have a special skill (welder), tax write-offs and a "home
base". A man-camp job is easily the best way to save
money.They take a portion of your money for subsistance but
furnish your food and lodging. You can easily support two
households working 40 hours. These jobs can be found in the Rocky
Mountain States and Alaska when building large projects.
Working 40 hours and supporting two
households is difficult but can be done. You must manage your
expenses and work in a Local that has a high enough scale to
support this. If the work situation is bad enough in your Home
Local and steady enough where you are working, it might be wise
to sell out and move your family.
Sitting
in the Hall, waiting on a call
One of the most nerve-wracking things is
waiting for a call. After dispatch, there is nothing to do except
spend precious money. Ask the Business Agent if there is anything
you can do for the Hall as for Organizing, Picketing,
Handbilling, etc. They will appreciate the offer and return the
favor if possible. The worst thing you can do is sit in a bar or
tavern. This cost money. You can go to the library and study up
on the Code, get on the Internet to find work, things that
don't cost a lot. Get to know the brothers and sisters in the
Hall. The more people you know, the better your networking for
future jobs will be in the future. If you're new to
traveling, don't be afraid to ask questions. You will find
90% of the brothers and sisters helpful.
On the
job
Get an agreement if possible or a sheet that
specifies your wage, insurance, pension, vacation, etc. Know what
monies you are earning and more importantly how to reciprocate
them back home or get them out when you leave. Know the trust
fund policies and conditions.
When on the job, you take orders from only the
steward or your foreman. If someone doesn't like the way
you work, wants to walk or wobble the job, slow the job down,
start trouble,etc. go to the steward and let him know what is
going on. When in another jurisdiction you take orders from the
political force that is in power. If it starts getting
ugly on the job, and sometimes does during elections, keep your
mouth shut and do your job. Always give 8 for 8 and stay out of
the in-fighting. You can get run out of Locals for being stupid
and getting involved with political rival's of the Business
Manager. Don't listen to the "Carhartt Attorneys"
in the lunch shack. The Local members elected the officer's
in control in accordance to the by-laws, the way it should be. If
some members don't like it, they can run for office. Stay out of it!
When working, call your Home Local and let
them know where you are working and what the situation is. Maybe
you can help someone who needs a job also.