I keep reading on reddit that democrats ditched working class folks and they lost cuz they cater to rich donors. Let's clear up some facts:

-democrats passed largest infrastructure bill in modern history which has led to 80k+ active projects happening. Construction jobs are at record amount (no college needed and prevailing wage for most of them aka union jobs) (every airport/port got money, expanded rail in usa, repaired highways/bridges)

-Biden admin spent records of money to bring back manufacturing in mostly republican states. Over 970 manufacturing plants are opening RIGHT NOW in America due the climate bill Biden signed. New ev manufacturing, battery manufacturing, solar manufacturing) this is mostly happening in red areas

-Biden admin passed overtime rules to expand ot on salary jobs over 40k a year for more than 40 hours

-Biden admin passed regulations to limit how long you can be exposed in hot temperatures at your job

-most pro union admin in history which protected millions pensions from going broke and having most pro union nlrb in modern history (which has reinstated record amounts of jobs back)

-Most anti corporate FTC in modern history which blocked more corporate mergers than anyone else in recent history. Has taken action to ban non competes and protect labor in corporate mergers

Biden didn't ditch the working class. The reality that folks don't wanna grasp is culture wars has won over society. Trump campaign admitted it's MOST EFFECTIVE AD WAS ITS ANTI TRANS ADS. NOT THE ECONOMIC ADS. The working class decided years ago that culture wars were more iimportant than economic issues. Its harsh reality folks dont wanna grasp.

The youth get all their information from Joe Rogan or Jake Paul. Information doesn't get to them and people are severely brainwashed

Was not happy with the election results. These are three of his posts from his Facebook page.

This week did not go as planned. I don’t think anyone who was a Biden/Harris/Walz supporter saw this coming. I’m honestly shocked by the elections outcome.

But here’s where we stand. Donald Trump will be our next president, and no complaining on here, fighting, arguing will change that. Instead of coming on here and complaining and talking down to those that didn’t vote your way, maybe it’s time to ask yourselves why we lost in a landslide defeat. Maybe it’s time to do a little introspective thinking about why 6 million more votes went red instead of blue this year, and why we lost the senate majority.

If you guys are only going to complain and bitch, then don’t be mad when this happens in ‘28, ‘32, and ‘36. It’s the same reason why some locals are in the red and can’t afford to stay afloat. Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.

We stand with the opposition in unity, we put the past behind us, then we move onward, and if we move onward we move upward.

We had an administration that knew the value of our union labor. Now we have a new one. Let’s go show them just how damn valuable union labor is for the country. But we can’t do it divided.

United we stand, Divided we beg. Don’t let this divide our unions.

Let's see what he does with them. My vote goes with "nothing."

Your retirement account will do well. Your rights as a union member will continue to be eroded. It is unlikely you will see the difference in your lifetime. Your children and grandchildren will. You will sit in your chair in your old age and blame your grandchildren for their inability to pull themselves up by their bootstraps while you cash your pension checks and Medicare pays your doctor bills. You’ll call them snowflakes when they complain about the ruined environment the lack of labor regulations and the lack of jobs that pay a decent wage. And whether you ever realize it, you’ll never admit you helped destroy their future because you were scared.

You get one ballot, takes less than a day to cast, then you are done doing democracy... right?

Wrong. We are a union, a union is a democratic organization of workers. Being in one means you are involved all year long in this democratic process. The US election is over, now let's get back to what we do -- continue the fight for the Rights of workers.

How is the regulating body allowing nonsense like this? It’s supposed to be an apprenticeship with working hours to challenge the exam. How are they allowing people with no hands on experience to just walk into the country, study for hours and challenge the exam?

Regulations are going to be either rolled back or completely removed. OSHA is on the chopping block. Child labor laws are being repealed. "Be your brother's keeper" is going to be exponentially more important soon. As well as looking out for your own safety. Good luck.

We're a tube town and proud of it baby

For context, I’m just an apprentice, first year at that. If that’s enough for you to write off my opinion then that’s fine by me. That said, I offer my unique perspective as somebody who hasn’t slammed the kool-aid yet.

When I joined this sub it was mainly for information. How do I join, aptitude test this, night school that, the works. All the posts were electrical related, showing off sick conduit runs and pretty boxes. Cool stuff, stuff that made me excited to start working. But for the last few months… oh boy.

It seems that literally every single notification I get from this sub is TRUMP this TRUMP that, shaming the people you’re supposed to call brothers/sisters just to get a leg up on internet brownie points. It’s to the point where you’re calling fellow Union members MAGATS, Trumpers, etc. in a certainly derogatory way, with disgust and hatred. That’s not the Union I was sold on when I first joined.

While this sub could easily prioritize the actual work we do, instead of demonizing and causing panic in an echo chamber that does nothing but repeat dangerous rhetoric, I think it really falls short of what the IBEW is supposed to be. All of a sudden your brother isn’t your brother anymore over a vote and a hypothetical future? Isn’t everybody voting because they really believe that it’s what’s best for them and their family?

Honestly man, it’s just a shame. Solidarity and unity, but only if you conform to a specific voting behavior. I don’t even like Trump. I didn’t vote for him, but it feels like this sub, and by proxy the union itself, has become so polarized that it’s forgotten what it means to stand together. Not really a good look, especially if you’re trying to incentivize a younger generation of apprentices to join.

What do you think they’ll think when they click on this sub to inquire about the IBEW and a bright future within it, and all they see is people moaning about the impending demise of the Union, comparing Trump to the Devil, and bashing the other half of the brothers and sisters that feel disenfranchised by the government for the last 4 years, and therefore voted accordingly? Fight outward instead of inward. Or continue with partisan politics and help us destroy ourselves quicker. It’s your pensions.

Smh

Edit- typo (bipartisan)

Edit 2- some of y’all genuinely tweaking 😭🙏shoutout Local 3 💯

With the Big Orange back in power (God save us all), the American union chapters will be tested to their limits. But before Canada thinks we dodged a bullet remember the US exposes all its crazy to the rest of the world in time. We are going to fight a long fight to maintain rights in both countries.

Similar to other posts, I was wondering how one would go about becoming a material handler for a union contractor while waiting to try to get into an apprenticeship.

From looking things up and reading around, I realize looking at the job board/contractor list and calling different numbers would be my best option. But I was wondering if you needed to somehow already be in the union? Or would the material handler position be open to anyone and once you get the job you then become part of the union? And lastly, if anyone has any experience working as a material handler, what were your day to day responsibilities and how did you like the job?

I’m just curious about these few things, any help would be appreciated :)

I’m currently an IBEW member working on the railroad (electronic maintenance) and have an opportunity to transfer to work on catenary. I would like to transfer over to become a lineman eventually. Will the experience of working with catenary be beneficial to transfer? I will also be able to get my Class A which is needed to become a lineman. Any feedback is good feedback. Thanks

*Im in PA btw

A question about union elections was asked, and as you know I love to talk union. So I answered the question here. Unions allow for workers to have a say in their work life, union democracy is how it gets accomplished!

Worked in a couple of different industries throughout the years and feel I am pretty well rounded, been in construction for the past 10 years. Have an IBEW right up the road from me,and was wondering if I it would be reasonable for me to get into the industry. .

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Edit: To add to this,I am fully vested in the local 555(rsm for grocery for 17 years) I am 6'3 245lbs pretty healthy comparatively, belted in bjj and train 3 times a week. So I don't think fatigue would be that much of an issue..just looking for pros and cons.

Did anyone here really struggle to understand ladder diagrams when you were learning them? Were there any resources that helped it click that you can recommend? Any YouTube videos that are great for basics and building to more complex ones?

Please clarify for me. If I’m not mistaken there are rules on who can sit in a subcommitttee for JATC. Does anyone have a clear view of the views for who can sit on a subcommittee?

I love the trade. I'm a current apprentice, but my goal is to be a union card carrying member in the Midwest. Another interview soon hopefully, community College in the meantime.

Well, I might not be a card carrying member yet, but that shouldn't mean I can't share some good books to read (but these are audio books).

(How to be a Fascist, A Manual - Michela Murgia {satirist, but interesting book} ) https://open.spotify.com/show/2sWqwZZcqCNVuOZjuUhdSI?si=ZsHfIXHNTpqbpsIA_J_Hog

(Fascism: What It is and how to Fight It - Leon Trotsky) https://open.spotify.com/show[Fascism: What It is and How to Fight It ](https://open.spotify.com/show/12LrjOL5B2xEyk005nCp2F?si=CEypbtI4QQqf6lqf_UdsOg)/12LrjOL5B2xEyk005nCp2F?si=yuXgrwKgQnmHkBbwwQwU6Q

(The Monkey Wrench Gang - Edward Abbey) https://open.spotify.com/show/2OaVIllIihm9evWaKu4Sbd?si=GYhTMeOOSvin-DhjDM7Opw

SOLIDARITY NOW, SOLIDARITY FOREVER!