The Union

[obese_oner]

Looking into joining them to get into the commercial construction industry, im a qualified carpenter.
Just wondering if its a good idea, are you in the union? Thought and opinions would be helpful.
Or if you know any numbers of people who could help me get a job in Melbourne! As with these commercial company's in Melbourne,
you have to know people, making is terribly hard to find a job!

Thanks

[Sapper28]

Interesting topic. Builders union or all unions? Melbourne only or everywhere? Could be worth a poll just for interest.

I'm in the Electrical Trades Union (NSW). 90+% of my worplace is union. Thus we have good conditions and pay.

[obese_oner]

CFMEU

http://www.cfmeu.asn.au/

Im pretty sure they are Australia wide
I currently have no licence making it hard for me to get a job in my trade.
As i cant transport my tools.
So the plan is to get into a commercial company as all you require is to rock
up with your hardhat haha.
But most of these big company's require that you are in the union
and no someone who is in charge, just applying normally online get your no where. And im in Melbourne

[deggy]

I'm in the CFMEU and have been for around 10 years, Had no dramas with them , they negotiate our contracts with my employer and look after us pretty well. Have not used them for legal reasons but know a few people that have and got a decent outcome.

[Fondue]

Basically they're out to benefit members and look after your interests so unless its one of those corrupt unions like the HSU, you can't go wrong.

[ToonS]

I was under the impression that to be able to get onto most building sites in the city (Melb) as a tradie, you need to be in the Union.

As far as I understood it, they have a lot of the sites locked down in that regard.

Most certainly dont take that as gospel, I dont work in the industry, just what I recall hearing from friends that do.

[Xaboo22]

Originally Posted by Fondue

Basically they're out to benefit members and look after your interests so unless its one of those corrupt unions like the HSU, you can't go wrong.

Wouldn't be so sure about that. My indirect experience with a Union is the exact opposite - the union rep has been and continues to delay the signing of an EBA agreement for workers at a particular company for the sole purpose that once its signed they are no longer needed. In doing so the workers have been riled up and lied to when in the company exes are more than willing to discuss and negotiate. The point to consider is that if there is no workplace conflict/issue there is no need for a union & no need for a union means no money (it all comes down to money). So rather than do what is in your interests I think ultimately they will do what is in their interests to gain more members and make more money.

I also have a big problem with the 'us & them' mentality that is often created and emphasised via unions regarding employer and employee.

For those reasons I am personally very skeptical about unions (in my limited experience of them). But this of course does not mean every union is like that and I am sure the role/importance of a union varies according to the industry.

Perhaps the best approach when dealing with them and related matters is to consider all that's said and done with a grain of salt and make your own decisions based on your views, not that of the group consensus!

[obese_oner]

Thank you for the advice fellas, I shall take into consideration

[mrSnuffLuffiGus]

Edit; lack of clarity

been a member of several unions, found it interesting, they have been helpful in negotiations and especially in getting safety issues sorted and necessary equipment to the site proptley, been lucky in the last few years in that both my reps and employers have worked well together, a minority of members imo have been dicks, a few employers have ben too.
I recomend looking in to it

[CHARGER_76]

Some unions are excellent, others not so much..

Heres a read at what the wharfies did in townsville and adelaide in 1942.

http://www.theaustralian.co m.au/ne...-1111113559562

Stuff like that, for only the advantage of union members is a disgrace. They deliberately sabotaged the war effort at Australias most dangerous time. But by and large those days have passed.

My previous job was AWU. Utterly worthless. But for construction, most of those unions are quite good.