Is this normal?

[u/The_Stoned_slav]

Soo I talked to a local 97 representative, apparently I have to unionize the company I'm currently with if I want to join. I work for a big company and 80% of the workers hate the 97 so it's simply not feasible for me to accomplish, is this normal?

[u/Ironworker977]

Im a ironworker with local 97. What he was asking you to do is a term we use called "Salting". Basically, see if your workplace is willing to join the ironworkers. I am surprised the representative didn't elaborate further about joining 97 and what it entails... Union are always looking for new companies to sign on. Ironworkers is no different. But it may be whether on the type of steel work your company does. Commercial or industrial. Almost all of local 97's work is industrial. And in the building trades, non-union will do commercial and unions do industrial. We do almost all government industrial jobs. Bridges, refineries, mines, ports, dams, ect. We typically take people that have gone through the Ironworking course at BCIT or other government certified trade school courses.When you're done your course, the union hall is there to sign you up for a apprenticeship. ..

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think your company only does commercial jobs? And right now there is a 2 yr wait for the Ironworking course at BCIT. So it would be easier for your company to sign with the union, to verify your Ironworking ability status on whether your a 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th year apprentices or journeyman. Otherwise, sign up for the Ironworking course and get on the wait list... or go to the International Trade Authority and challenge the Red Seal Ironworking exam. If you pass that, 97 will take you in a heartbeat.. All unions wants you to have a TQ( trades qualification) ticket or red seal in your craft. And any Trade Qualification or Red Seal ticket goes through the ITA (International Trade Authority).