Quote:
Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy
I own the company, let's just say I'm doing electrical, and I need X licensed electricians, and Y journeymen at a lesser rate. Why can't I put an ad in the newspaper for these electricians, and hire them on as employees? As a large electrical contractor I will move on to the next project, and still use these employees? Why do I have to use union labor?
I should add, there's always a number of jobs in our newspaper for licensed whatever, along with journeymen. Maybe things are more socialist in WA.
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Good question. Both general contractors (earthwork, concrete forming/pouring, etc) and specialty contractors (electrical, mechanical, etc) directly hire workers (laborers, electricians, plumbers, etc). They both have stable crews that work for them year-round, or nearly so. They both have occasional, temporary need of extra workers. Either one could be non-union, particularly if the workers are okay with that. If they prefer a union, that is their right in my country.
Hiring temporary workers by placing a classified ad in the local newspaper is frought with peril. The vast majority of applicants will be unsuitable. Management will need to take the time to evaluate them. But they won't really know until they hire them. Same with union workers, really. But at least if the worker does not work out, you send them back to the hall, talk to the dispatcher and he tries to send you someone who will meet your need. If the worker you rejected failed the drug test, the union disciplines that worker. (usually treatment is require for first offense, second offense gets you the boot. Unions around here do not tolerate drug use.) If the worker you rejected was lazy, the dispatchers speak with the worker. If the worker does not shape up, he does not get dispatches.
The facility you just took on as a contractor.......for 2.5 years there will be a fairly steady workforce on site.....if you plan it very well. It will be about 350 workers. There every day. There is virtually no such thing as a large, efficient, non-union contractor.