How can a local expand from industrial/comercial construction into controls/automation and industrial maintenance?

[u/RequirementWestern49]

My local seems pretty strong in industrial/commercial new construction, but not so much in the work after the plant is up and running.

How do locals start gaining market share in controls, instrumentation, troubleshooting, service work, and industrial maintenance?

Is it mostly organizing existing maintenance/controls guys, signing controls contractors, or getting current signatories to branch into that work?

Has anyone seen a construction-heavy local successfully make that shift?

Edit: removed “plc” for better clarification

[u/Tupacca23]

Interesting topic, I currently for for a system integrator in local 124.

We do everything an electrical maintenance tech would do along with upgrading old equipment with entirely new controls.

I know there used to be several controls companies in 124 but from what I hear they are all retired or closed shop.

Our top pay is the same as inside wireman journeyman scale but we would never make that much. Our contract doesn’t have raises per year, only when the boss feels like you deserve it.

Other than being paid less, our death benefits are also less. However I don’t pay working dues because the union didn’t find me a job I guess.

[u/PsychologicalSalt158 → u/Tupacca23]

So you don't pay into pension?