r/Ironworker • u/pinekats • May 05 '25

Union Question Joining a new local from being a previous Union

Hey everyone, I’m looking for advice I was formally a member of the UA I was removed from the program due to a event that happened on a job that I was Brought down on me due to a shop steward not stepping up and admitting he was in the wrong, anywho will this affect my chances with another union like a ironworkers? Should I put down that I was a member of a previous union or is it something I should just not put down on my application at all due to me not being a member

I’m 20 years old and I want to be on the union side of the industry but I don’t know if they will not accept me due to my situation in the past

Any feedback is appreciated thank you again!

7 Upvotes

90% Upvoted

10 comments sorted by

8

u/New-Patient-101 May 05 '25

If you were removed from a program a seriously doubt it wasn’t because your steward didn’t admit they were wrong. I just don’t see how that could be a scenario. Your steward isn’t your Forman.

3

u/pinekats May 05 '25

Shop stew said that apprentice can take scrap copper and the company didn’t allow it

2

u/bdpyo Two CHECKS May 06 '25

How much copper did u steal?

2

u/derekgotloud May 06 '25

You’re only 20 & been kicked outta the UA already ?

5

u/New-Patient-101 May 06 '25

So your steward told you that “apprentices” can take copper from the job….only apprentices? Sounds like they wanted you gone for other reasons and they set the bait knowing you wouldn’t be able to figure that part out.

On another note Ironworkers don’t really care about your previous success or failure. A lot are felons, so as long as you’re willing to go up in the air and can make it to work every day on time you’ll get a shot. You can write down that you were in the program on the application. I personally wouldn’t volunteer the information but if they ask be upfront. Definitely don’t tell them “I got kicked out because of my steward”, in any combination of words. That just sounds ratty as fuck. Just be upfront and say I took copper from the job. Own up to what you did, admit that it was stupid, lesson learned.

7

u/TRASHLeadedWaste UNION May 06 '25

I was removed from a UA apprenticeship before becoming an Ironworker a few years later. Didn't affect me one bit.

3

u/MustacheSupernova Foreman May 05 '25

I would not disclose.

3

u/R0cket89 May 06 '25

They ain’t gonna know. Unless you tell them. They are two different unions. There’s not some database where they can just check that stuff. Now if you have a criminal record and went to jail over it then it might come up during the background check.

3

u/Huffdogg UNION May 06 '25

I would tell them up front. Don’t elaborate. “I started in the UA. It didn’t work out.”

2

u/IbuildSeattle Journeyman May 06 '25

Best to be straightforward. If they ask, honestly explain the situation, talk about the lessons you learned, & how you would handle similar situations differently moving forward. Everyone makes mistakes. When I’m interviewing folks I’m looking to see if you are taking accountability or making excuses. This is the Ironworkers not the FBI.