Hurricane Sandy Relief volunteers from Alabama told to join Union

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

I'm pretty sure this all boils down to standard operating procedures gone wrong and some miscommunication. In normal times if these guys were to work out in IBEW "turf" even as a part-timer, seasonal, temp, etc they would have to temporarily affiliate with the local there. I bet that these work crews that believe they are being told to unionize are getting those standard forms when offering to help. The utility companies should have a separate temp work form for in case of emergencies.

Agreed.

Are these guys working for the same pay as the union?

[PiKA2001]

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

Agreed.

Are these guys working for the same pay as the union?

Probably not since these guys are most likely getting paid their normal wages (maybe some overtime) from wherever they come from. Considering the cost of living differences between Alabama, Michigan, and NYC I'm assuming the NYC guys get paid much better.

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

Probably not since these guys are most likely getting paid their normal wages (maybe some overtime) from wherever they come from. Considering the cost of living differences between Alabama, Michigan, and NYC I'm assuming the NYC guys get paid much better.

Okay, this is the part I don't really get...wouldn't affiliating with the union get them better wages? Or does it not work that way at all?

[thetalady]

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

Okay, this is the part I don't really get...wouldn't affiliating with the union get them better wages? Or does it not work that way at all?

I believe that paying the high union dues is a lot of the problem.

[PiKA2001]

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

Okay, this is the part I don't really get...wouldn't affiliating with the union get them better wages? Or does it not work that way at all?

It doesn't work like that. This is more of a pay to play situation. A local in NY who strictly deals with employees of say, Con Ed isn't going to be able to bargain for people who don't work for Con Ed, let alone a self employed truck driver.

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

It doesn't work like that. This is more of a pay to play situation. A local in NY who strictly deals with employees of say, Con Ed isn't going to be able to bargain for people who don't work for Con Ed, let alone a self employed truck driver.

Okay, so they are not really affiliating with the union, then? Or they are, but just in a looser affiliation?

[PiKA2001]

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

Okay, so they are not really affiliating with the union, then? Or they are, but just in a looser affiliation?

They would be paying union dues but not getting union representation. It's good for the union coffers but I can see how it can be annoying for the people having to pay the dues just to do a two or three day job.