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trade union listings/websites

supersonicboy

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Oct 3, 2004
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Hi guys

i know its completely off topic but does anyone know of a website that has niagara/hamilton/toronto trade union listings? I was thinking of applying for an apprenticeship but can't seem to find any union links. Thanks for any info
 

Keebler Elf

The Original Elf
Aug 31, 2001
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The Keebler Factory
You could try the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) to see if they have a list of Niagara-area trade unions.

A better bet would be to Google the type of union. You should get some hits.

It might help if you said what kind of craft...
 

Questor

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Sep 15, 2001
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In Toronto we have the Toronto and York Region Labour Council. I'm pretty sure Hamilton has the same sort of Labour Council, but I am not sure of its exact name. Alternatively, as suggested by Keebler, there is the CLC. Or you could call the Toronto and/or Hamilton offices of some of the larger trade unions like Steelworkers (I know they are big in the Hamilton area), CAW, CUPE, United Food and Commercial Workers, Communications, Energy and Paperworkers, etc.

Good luck.
 

supersonicboy

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Oct 3, 2004
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i know there is a huge promotion but it seems next to impossible to get in
you have to score high on the apptitude test
i have a business degree, i sometimes think i am overqualified but i would love to get into an electrician, millwright or plumbing apprentice. I would prefer to get into a union apprenticeship but it seems frickin impossible.

huge future shortage of skilled tradespeople but it seems they are not taking many apprentices...especially when there are laid off people at GM

thanks for those links by the way
 

papasmerf

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Oct 22, 2002
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Unions love to raid and organize RAT shops

The best way into any trade union is thru the back door. Find a NON-UNIN shop willing to train you and get hired. Do a solid job for them, gain experience and training. Sooner or later, if they are a commercial shop you will be approached by a union tradesman, and asked if you would consider going union. In most cases your overall experience is counted and you are slotted into the program.
 

Keebler Elf

The Original Elf
Aug 31, 2001
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The Keebler Factory
As with any career, it's all about networking and who you know that will let you get your foot in the door.
 

papasmerf

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Oct 22, 2002
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Cute In A Kilt said:
Sonic, I hear your pain. I've been interested in Welding for years and on the verge of saying to heck with a degree and go for welding as it is something I've done in the past and loved. If you think it's hard for you to get an appretenceship, think about a girl trying to get her 5200 hours in welding, I don't suspect the men will let me LOL. One girl I know that took welding, it took her over 5/6 years to accumulate her hours, most men get it done in three years. All I can say is just try and try again! Good Luck :)

Here because of laws that even the Supreme Court has stated are unfair, women can easily get into any trade program they choose. It is the men who may have to find a back door in.
 

papasmerf

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Oct 22, 2002
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Cute In A Kilt said:
Papa, it is NOT hard to get in a program, usually cash up front takes care of that. I am stating a fact about trying to secure apprenticeship or actual work, when your talking about a field that is 95% men, a women has a lot harder time getting in, a lot of people make assumtions about strength, ability and expertise when it comes to the "fairer sex" and skilled trades. And nowadays ppl aren't stupid enough to say "we won't hire you because your female" (can you say lawsuit), but nonetheless most of my "girl" friends have had a hard time getting actual work in skilled trades, going to school is NOT where the problem lies. Tell me why most of their male counterparts are able to secure employment faster and to accumulate the necessary hours to become a full journeyman in 3 years the norm, when it take a women 5 - 6 years? A majority of skilled trades 95% are men, 5% are women, so Papa don't pretend chicks are taking the jobs away from men. shessssh.

I am not pretending women are taking jobs from men. I was however pointing out it is far easier for a woman to get slotted then a white male. As forcompleting the required employment hours is not usualy a problem anyone in the program unless employmet levels drop. Apprenteces are often the first to go. During their last 2 years of apprentenceship is the time to show foremen what they can do. A good last year will often turn over and stay with the shop, they turn over at. Some journymen, as you know are becnh riders and only get called up when the roation dictates. But many journymen work year round. This is because the addage: "you are only as good as your last job", hold true. Since I myself helped train the first area female in my trade, I will say that if trained well there is no real difference in job performance. Keep in mond that earning a ticket means you can travel and find a place more suited to you, if you like.
 

papasmerf

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Oct 22, 2002
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supersonicboy said:
you guys are right

either your dad or your uncle have to get you in..otherwise you're f#cked

Funny

That is not what I said. And as a member of a trade union, I speak with far more authority than non-members.
 

impala77

Active member
Jan 18, 2003
310
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Toronto
supersonicboy said:
i know there is a huge promotion but it seems next to impossible to get in
you have to score high on the apptitude test
i have a business degree, i sometimes think i am overqualified but i would love to get into an electrician, millwright or plumbing apprentice. I would prefer to get into a union apprenticeship but it seems frickin impossible.
I've just gone through a process to get in to one of the mentioned unions. One of the best ways to try to get in to a union apprenticeship is to get in to a community college program related to the union you want to get in to, I know george brown and durham college both offer programs that are beneficial to future union applicants. By joining a community college program you may have a better chance to know what unions are looking for apprentices and when the best time is to apply. The main thing about getting in to a union is timing. My advice would be to pick your union, send in a resume and cover letter stating your desire to apply for an apprenticeship and be prepared to wait. You could also be very proactive and visit the union hall and ask to speak to someone about apprenticeships and the requirements. basically try to make yourself known.

Some unions have to wait almost a year to cycle through their applicants.due to the nature of the work and the guidelines in place regarding apprenticeships. I applied in may/june of last year, wrote my aptitude test in september and was finally told I was accepted in to the program in early Jan. But because of the number of people they took in, they broke us up in to 2 groups one starting the program right away, the rest waiting until may/june.

Because they took a large number in the last round they may not take any this year. Basically apply to the union and wait it out. find courses to take or improve your skills while you wait. good luck.
 

auto doctor

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Aug 25, 2004
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In a Korn field
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Well supersubsonicboy...IMO..think about what you want to do or like to do before you run off into the sunset. I have been in a union for 18years. But I went into a field I liked. The fact that a union is part of the job was not a factor at the time. There are different ways to get a trade skill. The most direct way is to apply to construction/trades companies and tell them you want to learn and attend trade schools as required. There are few goverment programs but you have to keep in contact with the colleges. The first step is someone / employer has to register you in the program. Chasing union offices for an apprentice is a bit harder to imagine getting results.

Don't give up..keep knocking on doors.
 

andy richter

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Feb 14, 2004
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scarbrough
This year and next are going to be busy so it should be a bit easier to get in. I know some of the fitters/plumbers i talked to said that they are going to be very busy soon and will be needing many workers they wont be able to get because there hall will have full employment.
 

impala77

Active member
Jan 18, 2003
310
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Toronto
andy richter said:
This year and next are going to be busy so it should be a bit easier to get in. I know some of the fitters/plumbers i talked to said that they are going to be very busy soon and will be needing many workers they wont be able to get because there hall will have full employment.
That doesn't necessarily translate in to more apprentices, because many apprenticeships can take three or four years, bringing in more apprentices may not solve the immediate worker shortage. If they are going to be that busy they will be looking for already skilled temp help, that may or may not lead to a union position.
 

papasmerf

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Oct 22, 2002
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impala77 said:
That doesn't necessarily translate in to more apprentices, because many apprenticeships can take three or four years, bringing in more apprentices may not solve the immediate worker shortage. If they are going to be that busy they will be looking for already skilled temp help, that may or may not lead to a union position.

Any time you choose a trade, work is dependant on need. Tthis holds true in all trades. The real advantage of a union ticket is you can leave the area and find employment, without having to start on the first run again.
 

papasmerf

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Oct 22, 2002
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supersonicboy said:
so lets have some names of places or businesses that are hiring...any trade! names and cities
All of them

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
 
Ashley Madison
Toronto Escorts