Trump is pushing Trade schools

@pdockal Unions aren't everywhere. Many states are right to work. And no one should be forced to join a union just to get an education or a job.

@carpediem

Who's forcing you to join a union ?

Last i checked every state has trade unions ... i know mine does

Union apprenticeship gets paid & no debt
Schools don't pay you & usually puts you into debt

We don't need trade schools because union apprenticeship exist and teaches you a trade

@pdockal we can agree to disagree. Trade schools are an important part of educating our work force. Unions have their place, but I wouldn't ever join one...again. I did far better without a union holding me back. I see the side most do not.

@pdockal I can tell you why they’re needed. Especially where I live. It’s a right to work State. You invest a little in your education in a trade, say HVAC or plumbing or welding. You get hired on by an independent company and work your way up based on performance. Some eventually start their own businesses. Then hire people who were just like them. It’s not based on a union’s schedule. One person is 10 years in and does a half ass job and gets paid mor than the person who’s 3 years in who busts his ass. Unions may have served a purpose years ago but today they create laziness.

@KateATX Well said. I have a construction company. My people make more than union scale based largely on the over priced benefits that are unaffordable. My people are fully covered with Blue Cross. They also have a 401K that I contribute to. Most have several hundred thousand dollars in their accounts that they control. They get other benefits I'd never be able to afford if I was subservient to a union.

The regular union worker has no clue how the it really works. In my area, most are leaving the unions.

@carpediem one of our best friends started at Tulsa School of Welding when he was 19. He worked his way up with a company in Austin and started his own company about 10 years ago. He’s 50 and employees around 75 people. All are making good money, full benefits and a 401K that his company matches 2:1. You either earn your place and pay by your work or you go work somewhere else. It’s all based on performance.

@KateATX

Are you in a trade union ?
I am
I know first hand
Unless the school is free the student accumulates debt
In union apprenticeship your getting paid (while your training)
Your getting medical & pension also for you & your family
You have lots of options after completing your apprentiship
Nonunion trades are perfect for right to work which pays less etc

@carpediem

Your in the minority
I bet lots who joined a trade union with disagree with you

I have more then what you pay your people ... hourly pay ... 401k .... anuity .... pension(s) (local, internationsl, NECA)... medical .... dental ... optical (i pay nothing for benefits) ... associates degree when i finish apprenticeship

@KateATX

Does he pay prevailing wages ... most non union do not
Does he charge for medical etc ... most non union do

@pdockal you are obviously not from a right to work State. Most companies here, including my friend’s company, pay $3-$4 an hour over union scale. Each employee pays a percentage of the employee benefits. But that’s way less than union dues. The retirement plan is better. The owners of these private companies are more invested in the well being of their employees than the union bosses who make millions while the members suffer.

@KateATX

So the cost of medical is less the 1% dues ?
I think not
Does your friend pay 401k?
Do they have the same medical after retirement?
Show me documentation that right to work pays more then union scale ?

Your basing you opinion on one non union company (what trade ?) and one right to work state

The majority of non union companies pay less then prevailing wages etc

ARE YOU IN THE TRADES ?

@KateATX

I'm arrogent ... your basis is one small insugnificant non union company that is most likely paying less then prevailing wages in a right to work state

I don't pay for my medical
I have my medical after retirement

Are you in the trades ?

@KateATX

Are you in the trades ?


Can his employees go anywhere in the country and go to work after he fires them ?
How long does he cover his employees medical after termination ?
Does he give supplemental disability benefits
Does he pay for college

I get ALL these benefits and many more

@pdockal I own my own business. This is one example of thousands upon thousands here where I live. And his company is not insignificant. There are many of them just like his. That’s what happens in places like this. Each business owner is free to run their business as they wish. And with a supportive mentor you can succeed. You probably are smart guy. And could’ve made millions like my friend has and made others millions if you didn’t care about y’all making thousands.

@KateATX

Insignificant as in small work force
Most companies can't afford union workers
Can you compete with 500 employees, 1000, 2000 etc ?

@pdockal I don’t need too. He doesn’t need too. That’s what you libs don’t understand. I make my business work with what I need. If you don’t perform you’re fired.

@KateATX

Your confused
Who's a liberal ?

You probably have a puny mom & pops company and wouldn't survive anywhere but right to work

Neither would your friend
Let's talk when you have more then 100 employees

@pdockal interesting thought from a guy beholden to unions and who has never owned anything. I don’t need a 100 employees. I need the 5 contractors who all own their own businesses. My friend doesn’t need over 100 employees. And we all make more a year than you ever did and our employees make more than you ever did. With better benefits than you have 😂

@KateATX

Owners taking advantage of employees always make more
Non union contractors have larger profit margin then nonunion because they charge almost the same as non union but pay a lot less

Why would i want the headaches of owning a company if that's what your referring to by not owning anything
I was able to purchase my home as an apprentice & new truck ... can your employees do that in their first years of being your employees?

When I'm NOT working i don't think/ worry about anything

Your missing the point regarding number of employees ... you probably couldn't handle the payroll/benefirs that my union contractors can handle

@pdockal look if you want to be a socialist that’s on you. You are completely wrong about employees. The fact that you said you don’t “want the headache” of forming your own business is telling. And telling about unions. You’re lazy and want someone or an organization to care for you. Or you’re scared.

@KateATX

Who is a socialist ?
Scared of what exactly ?
Lazy oh really ... you couldn't do what i do for work and you couldn't handle being a first responder

Bub bye

@pdockal Employees have to PAY the unions...UNION DUES, and then they are controlled by the unions. A socialist way of working at a job. You are not free when you work for a union.

@Midlifemale

The benefits outweigh the 1% dues
Controlled how ? Non union companies can fire @ any time for no reason which is more control because the worker is scared to lose their job
I'm very free so I'm not sure what your babbling about
When times are slow (out of work) i keep my benefits... most trades ebb & flow irrigardless of they are union or not
I can go to any local in USA/Canada and go to work if they need workers ... i don't have to solicit my own work

@carpediem That's awesome carp, I knew we thought alike for a reason. I started my construction company in 2004
in Las Vegas. My project managers make a little over 100k per year, and we have a great IRA where I contribute the max.

The only bad thing is, I am wanting to retire, but it's hard to do when your people love working for you. I would turn the
business over to them, but they do not have the capital to finance large commercial projects. It took me many years
to acquire the capital I needed.