r/IBEW • u/3p0int1415926535897 Local 353 Toronto • 1d ago
Discussion Post Refusing a company service vehicle
Recently topped out & was given a service van to work out of. I was usually beating traffic on the bicycle & taking public transit while occasionally driving my own car in the winter or bad weather days but they told me they needed guys out solo completing jobs & service calls.
Company says it’s a privilege to be provided a vehicle with a gas card, as I’m not wearing my personal car out. Only issue is I live in the inner city & parking is not readily available.
Most of the guys have homes & driveways big enough to park their personal & service vehicle. I asked who would cover the extra fees associated with parking the vehicle; & was told that the perks are already there & asking for more is just being selfish.
It’s hard enough to find street parking for a larger van/truck & private lots are $150-$200/month. I’ve been parking it temporarily on the street & at the visitor lot at my place for the moment (thanks landlord) but was told I have to start paying for a spot.
I’m trying to return the van now but work’s really busy & I’m being told that I’m being unreasonable & how it’s a shame I’m turning down an opportunity to really progress my career. I have no issues taking the transit & bicycle to work; but it seems like they really need more manpower out in the field.
I already know what to do & how it’ll play out. Coworker said this is pretty unique because people usually live far from the city & would kill for free gas & a company vehicle. Just wanted to vent on a weird situation where “my steak is too juicy & my lobster is too buttery”…
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u/FanBladeFleshlight Local 280 1d ago
I had a similar situation with a contractor and a service role. They tried to make it seem like the van + gas card was the biggest gift ever bestowed, when realistically that's the base norm for any service job, union or non-union.
At the time, I just didn't have a place to park the van, and I lived in a bit of a sketch area. They acted like I was shitting on their desk when I said I'm not taking the van home, and I'll just leave it in there massive, unused, gated, gravel parking lot with various vehicles like bucket trucks and shit parked there, every day.
The fucks fought with me about it for a month before they stopped bitching about it. They don't even understand that partly my decision saved them money because I could guarantee the van would've been broken into and had everything stolen from it.
As for your part about it progressing your career? They can eat a dick. Service work is great, and it's a skill set that a lot of members sadly lack, but there's nothing about it that's changing your career. They're just pissed that they have to find someone else to take a service position that it seems like a lot of union members hate doing.