I can feel it... I think I am getting laid off next week.
 

Kinda saw the writing on the wall. Work has been slowing down (I am a commercial electrician) and I haven't had work for a week or so. Talked the the superintendent/project manager today and I have a meeting Wednesday to discuss what work is coming up and "what's best for my family.". Don't know what else to say... Just a feeling I got during today's conversation. I think he was warming me up so it wouldn't be out of the blue next week. This was the year we were going to get my wife out of the workforce... Hope I'm just being paranoid.

Fingers crossed for you, we(I) hope to get my wife to join the workforce.

Thanks guys, I'm a union worker so I go sign the book and wait. I will try to get permission to salt and go work for someone else. I'm interested in working, not waiting around drinking coffee at the hall until unemployment runs out. Hall trash is what gives the rest of us a bad name. OTOH this would give me a chance to spend more time with the kids and get caught up on the never-ending list of projects. I also already have a couple applications pending at the Boeing plant to work as an electronics engineering tech, which is sort of an engineer's minion from what I have been told. It'll work out, I'm not stupid unskilled or lazy. No matter what I will land on my feet. I have to, two little girls think that their daddy can do anything and I would hate to let them down. ;)

You won't let'em down! Not your style.

Look into the pipeline companies or utilities. An electrician could bring skills to build upon and the work is very secure. You could apply to start out as a tech 1 or 2 level and quickly progress if you are good. They won't be looking for an electrician, but your electrician background may get you in as an Electrical and Controls tech or even a cathodic protection tech. You have to think possibilities and potential.

where is the project you are working on?

What is coming up in the pipeline?

Have you considered Traveling?

Building a swimming pool in Snohomish WA. They brought in an apprentice to lower their composite labor rate. We have a school, a small water treatment plant, and a commercial building in the dirt right now. I also know that there are a number of really good wireman waiting to go to work on these jobs.

Thanks for the advice on pipeline work and traveling. If I could pack up the FAM and go it might be possible, but being gone for a long period of time is why I got out of the Navy and started doing this.


I just have to wait and see what comes of the meeting Wednesday. Once I know the score I can go from there. The wife and I will talk it over this weekend, and talk about our options.

You're a good man Led....hang in there - it will work out I'm sure. It always does....

Please keep us posted.

I got laid off this month My boss is an ass oh wait... that's me! Good men land on our feet. I have a few offers I'm fielding I'm sure that you'll find ork as a eletrician!

Jim

Tradesmen never parish ;)

WE are building unit 2. A peaking plant, going to hire more staff. Not sure how many yet. It would be IBEW local 125. They hire though the company first, then go outside. you can keep an eye on the PGE (Portland General Electric) web site for jobs. PM me and I can keep you posted on the job openings.

Lots of tradesmen go to church here.
Jim

I am really sorry: don't get discouraged.

During my "corporate tenure", I saw many folks (some top performers) shown the door during downsizings/outsourcings etc. It sucks to go through it, but invariably they "landed on their feet" and all ended up just fine. Good luck Ledhed!!!

My daughter is a union construction ,maintainence electrician. She,s been for about 12 years now.
She goes thru periods of layoff usually works 2-20 months on a job followed by 2-12 weeks unemployment. It,s the nature of the work.
She would like to find a plant maintanence job with a cut in pay but more routine /reliable work but hasn,t so far.

Thanks for the support and kind words everyone. I have only worked for the one outfit since getting out of the Navy five years ago. Nothing concrete has happened yet, and I have always know it is a possibility. I have never been "let go" so it is a weird feeling. I known this is how the industry works, which is why I am currently in school for process instrumentation and calibration, as well as having a couple irons in the fire at the Boeing plant in Everett. My wife is awesome and sees this as a total team effort. I'm sure it will all turn up in spades, fortune favors the prepared. ;)

Your a Navy vet (Thank you sir) with a trade to back him up. I think your the kind of guy that will pull through this situation. Good luck no matter what comes your way.

best of luck!!

hopefully it all works out next week and they just send you to a different project. the union electricians stay fairly busy, but the foreman just laid off everyone at our project. they should be up and running soon. takes solid stones to run thru that cycle repeatedly.

my foreman, Bleyco Electric once told me..as an electrician it is wonderful to stand out. he got good at reading plan sheets and finding problems (change order work) and he got promoted very fast. the man is an animal. i hate argueing with him..electrical work is my weakness, and he usually hands me my ass..glad he is an honest man. his sons followed his footsteps..but dont really focus on plan sheets.

commercial electrical jobs are amazing. challenging to the nth degree, at least for me.

Young man you have the walk of life figured out...there is nothing a committed man and woman can't accomplish. That and you have the right perspective.

Excuse me while I get the f outta the way...:cool:

Good luck to you, led.

My GF and I are in the group that's about to be "furloughed", whatever that turns out to be. My job is supposedly "essential", so I have this sneaky feeling that I will be told to go to work no matter what, and they will probably get around to paying me sooner or later.

All in all, not very encouraging. ****** politicians.

Do you feel you have enough experience or the desire to strike out on your own? This isn't the best of times to be starting a business; but a guy like you sounds like you have what it takes. Best of luck!

I went to work at Boeing in 1988 after about 25 years working various other places in several fields....all involved some type of construction.

A hard working, sharp cookie can thrive there. They have worked thru the boom/bust cycle here of late to eliminate it.....the last 10-15 years have been hire, not layoff. I started out as a boat builder in 1964 and ended up retiring from Boeing as a CMM operator in QC......good work if you can get it.:D
If you're looking for stability (and with small kids, who isn't), that's the spot around the NW. It would seem that they are looking for guys like you.

I honestly don't think that am ready to strike out on my own. I just finished the apprenticeship, and don't have much experience doing the usual small shop work. Most of my time has been big industrial rather than tenant improvements and small works. I also would need an administrator's license, not too big of a deal, and a contractor license. Maybe in a few years, but not just yet.


I have to be honest, I'm a long time member her but don't post much. It never ceases to amaze me how supportive this little corner of the internet is in general. Sometimes a couple poopy-heads go at it, but on balance Pelican has to be one of the most kind-hearted, close knit, and generally helpful groups of people on the whole wide interwebs.

Thanks for your service Sailor. I have to tell you that without my wife I wouldn't be where I am in life either, and I'm glad you cherish that situation for yourself. Keep that mindset going and keep your head up and you'll be just fine.

oh gosh. I feel for you. I was laid off just the end of last year and it was horrible. I hope you don't find yourself in that situation. :(

so you are just turned out.

how many are sitting are sitting on the books ahead of you?

are you allowed to self represent?

how long do you think you will be out of work?

I saw 2010-2011 coming and hunkered down, went back to school and got, of all things, a nurse's license.
never lost my spot on the book. finally got a two weeker in dec/11. haven't sat a day since. show up sober, don't bull**** with everyone on the jobsite, lend a compassionate ear but repeat none of it, ignore the drama, above all else - be a consistent producer.

But i'm just a foreman in LU351.

Yup, the ink is still wet on my JW ticket. I'm sure that's part of it too. Just how it happens. I'm the same pay-rate as someone with ten years more experience...

There were about 350 guys on the books last I checked which was right before the holidays. Calls are coming in, usually at least 10 or so a week. Work at the refineries in Bellingham has been steady, lots of data center work in Eastern Washington if I am willing to go that far (I am.) So it isn't dismal or anything, just kind of a weird feeling to feel like it's coming. I've only worked for one company in five years, and they have kept me steadily employed for all but a couple weeks here and there.

We can't self represent in our local. There is a possibility of a foreman call-out by name, but I don't see that happening. ;) I'm working on the EPRI instrumentation certification, so that may open some doors in a couple months if I need it. I may be able to talk to a couple of non-union friends and see if their companies would have me knowing I would be working as a salt. .. Have to see how it rolls and make some phone calls

get certified as a welder

Good advice! I'm working on instrumentation and after that PLCs. Welding is next. We have a handshake deal with the UA pipefitters JATC in town. We do the instrumentation course for them and we get welding for free.

realistically, get to know your BAs.
continue your labor walks
get involved with a campaign
love your family above all else

Good luck, one way or another. I was in the same boat 4 years ago, writing was pretty much on the wall... it was a terrifying few weeks waiting, and when I finally did get canned it was almost a relief. It was a tough time, I got my ass kicked pretty bad and we really struggled for a while, but it was the best thing that ever happened to me and I am very grateful for it.

No one will EVER lay me off again, I'll say that much.

Sucks and I certainly feel for you. I wish I could say that the anticipation and apprehension about a pending layoff is worse than actually being laid off but I can't - they're both equally crappy.

Have you considered going open shop? I personally favor the open shop guys rather than the union guys whenever I can (around here it's Local 103 and I can't stand dealing with them). Just curious - I know it's a deeply personal decision and there can be many variables. I wish you well and from what I've seen a good electrician usually won't sit idle for very long out if work - it's not like it was five years ago for sure but there's enough out there for most good and dedicated guys to find a place at the table to eat. All the best.

I owe the local at least five years before I can consider it. If anything I would get the licensing and go contracting. I just don't feel like I have a good enough handle on the trade to do it on my own yet. Hopefully this is all me being paranoid, or maybe the super wanted to see if I might be willing to sit for a few weeks instead of taking a layoff.
I will be sure to report the results of the conversation on Wednesday.

I'm curious why you say this.

Been chasing the superintendent since Wednesday. Finally caught up with him today, apparently he has been running a night crew this week. He said he has work coming up but is having trouble because it isn't needing people yet. He asked if I could hold on for one more week, and if he doesn't have something for me he will give me a layoff slip.

On the upside I think I have a good shot at getting an interview with Boeing for an electronics gig. Worst case I sign the union book and keep working on other jobs at the same time...Not what I was hoping for, but I guess I can wait another week. It isn't that big a deal in the grand scheme of things. I have a pile of old radios that need work, and a couple beautiful little girls that don't see enough of their daddy anyway.

I was laid off a few years ago and it actually was a great opportunity. I stayed busy getting resumes out and keeping networked, but I also had time duing the week when everyone else was working to go to the lake with my daughter and fish and otherwise spend time with her and my wife. To top it off I got a better job with better pay within a few months. It was probably one of the least stressful times of my life even with the small amount of uncertainty. I knew the change was good when I was laid off and knew if I worked at it something right would come along. Sometimes this is what we need to kick us out of the rut and into a groove. Good luck, but it sounds like you have the right attitude to make the right things happen.

Ditto to the above. Laid off in November of last year, started a new job in January with a substantial raise. So cliché, but things happen for a reason. Keep us in the loop of what happens. We are here for you.

i don't know you, but i feel that i like you.

do yourself one favor

you've been working heavy, whether you realize it or not, join a gym to maintain yourself in your time off.

or do some calisthenics.

If all else fails seeing as you don't feel confident in your experience to step out on your own and start your own shop (BTDT by the way, worked in my dad's HVAC biz for ten years, it came down to either step out on my own or change direction).

Have you considered approaching some of the large electrical contractors in the area to see if they need a foreman?