Hello all. I am considering plumbing as a career and I am SUPER ignorant about the business side of it. I have read a little about the union v. open shop debate and it seems that generally union is frequently regarded as the better route. But heres the thing: I don't even know what a union is!
I mean... I grasp the general idea... its collective group of employees that bargain for better pay and working conditions, right? But does being in a union mean you can only work commercial? or construction? What if I was interested in residential and/or service? Are you limited in the kinds of jobs that you can do if you are in a union?
Do you join a union before getting hired by a company? Would it make you more competitive if you did? Are there companies that don't hire union plumbers? What happens if you've been hired by a company and then join a union? Is that even possible?
And what about starting out as an apprentice with a union... if you end up wanting to switch to another trade or something, can you leave the program before becoming a journeyman? Are you indebted to the union in any way? Can you leave a union at any point in time? Can you rejoin if you leave? Do you have to apply to be in a union?
I know I have a lot of questions but any help at all would be appreciated! I just don't have much of a reference point when approaching the subject of unions.
Thank you in advance for your answers!
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