I am an operator in a place where unions are almost unheard of. Just trying to figure out the pros and cons

Im Ac Dc on this.If you work in an area with a lot of union work,and the union really does there job and is strong i would be union.Also it helps your company get more for the pumps.The benny's are good to. And the important part is most union jobs are alot safer than some of the fly by nights. So if your out in the boonies move to a big area with lots of work,and go union.

go union. i've done both, and you get more protection and benefits when you organize. and yes your employers get a better rate from the customers when all of the companies are organized. simply because the pay rates are the same within the local, so all the companies charge the same prices. the way they get jobs and keep customers is through reliability and proper service from trained operators. not from cutting the throat of the next guy and under charging for service with ignorant stick wigglers at the control. that's my opinion and experience.

Thanks for the input. I'm considering making the push for one here. It is a big city but as far south as we are its like I said unheard of. How does it work? By setting one up in the company I work for would the other pump companies in town follow suit? Or would I just be forcing my company to raise its prices in essence screwing myself? I know that everyone here would go for it especially if It meant more money but I just want to make sure its the right thing before I make an attempt to get the ball rolling.

Becareful in some areas the word Union scares to hell out of people and owners a like if the free choice act that is in Congress gets started you will have and easyer time getting what you guys want, the draw backs would be if you are union and your company gets slow the keeping you on the payroll just to work and clean your pumps may be gone, and you will sit at home or worst yet get laid off, jobs will be safer for sure, but remember you will be paying monthy dues, one more thing are there many Union jobs where you live now and can you live up to Union standards no more side jobs, think about this talk to the Business rep's.

I think everyone should join...........so you can help finance my retirement....

Ed do I detect a little non union comment? T

If there aren't any union jobs to work on, then you are just going to cause the owners to fold. if it's slow already, it will just make the decision that much easier. It would be cheaper to lay everybody off, park the pumps and go fishing for a couple months until the idea loses it's romance, then fire back up. Put yourself in the bosses shoes....what would you do in his position? Have to play by 'union rules'. Operator...."f%$* that, I ain't tightening that leaking fitting, that's the mechanics job." Mechanic, "No way, you get the laborer to sweep the floor." And if you aren't a died in the wool union man, then you'd have an issue with not being able to help the mechanic lift a pump into place, or help the laborer load system on your pump to head out in the AM. Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it!!

Thats exactly what I worry about...I like what I do and the company that I work for and am not trying to screw them or myself.  The issue is that the pay scale is all messed up here and I feel as if it needs to be resolved.  When it comes to the maintenance of my equipment regardless of whos job title it falls under I would much rather do it myself.  Especially if I and the other guys were given the incentive of being properly compensated for our jobs.  Hell, give me the broom I'll sweep the damn floor.  I guess my real question is whether or not it would be possible to unionize all the big companies around here and cut out all the confusion with pay and prices......It would be a good thing right?

Some are Pros & others are Cons. Depends on "where" you're working. 

I know its illegal, but alot of companies here in the south will fire you just for bringing up the word union.  Just ask all the ex pumpco union guys in Miami.  I have worked on both sides of the coin, and would prefer Not to be in a union.  Either way you can be just as unemployed.

Crete I just gave my thoughts on trying to go Union or Not to, he could end up losing his job, maybe what he should do is start his own pumping company and see the owner side of this  idea if his company where to go Union I don't know whether the other companys will follow suite an since no other one's are Union now will this help his company get more work, Crete you are in and area that has a lot of Union work and it may have helped you gain more jobs but the farther south you go the less it matters.

Ive done both and prefer union, but they both have their drawbacks. The biggest one with union is they havent shopped around their healthcare pkg in years and they just keep passing along the costs to their members. So when you do get a raise usually a chunk goes towards healthcare. Where I have seen in some cases, they are paying double for their plan instead of shopping around.

The biggest problem I have with the non-union is they usually dont contribute enough to your 401......Where the union pays by the hour to your retirement and vacation pay which is nice...Of course you have to hope they do the right thing with your money so it is there when you retire...

The more I learn about the way that it works, the more unattainable it seems anyways. Being in a right to work state makes it almost impossible anyways. All I would really succeed in doing is pissing all the owners/customers off and prob getting myself and whoever I got on the band wagon fired. It would definitely be nice to be paid what we're worth around here though. $20 an hour for a 61 meter is a joke. I know times are tough but shit. Don't get me wrong, grateful to have a job, just wish the companies were as grateful to have me as an operator.

How long have you been with your employer, are you able to talk to him, I'm a owner/operator and I am a retired IBEW so I know both sides, I'm in a right to work State also, I have a 32 putz and a 5/45 OLIN my boom pump mainly sits still, my line pump pays for everything thank God, I don't blame you for trying to better your life and being Union will help you more than you know at this time, when work picks up you can Travel to other locals for jobs which will teach you a bunch.

def. not union

go to the Operating Engineers website at IUOE.org, find a local near you contact them and see if it seems like a fit for you...the locals that I am familiar with offer extensive training, this makes you proficient on several pieces of equipment and it makes you more employable.

Better off just leaving things the way they are. The economy is not good enough to try and make such a major change. We have all taken cuts. I am down $9 p hr less than I was 3 years ago, but a job is a good thing.

"$20 an hour for a 61 meter is a joke."

Yes, it is. 

I'm a firm believer in: You get what you pay for-

pension, excellent wages, representation...sounds good to me.   IUOE.org for more info