Kind of. The union put me through a 3 year apprenticeship, got an associates from that. The company pays your hourly wages, and an additional amount on the hour goes to the hall and gets broken up for health insurance, annuity, and pension. We never saw that money change hands except for on our quarterly retirement statements. 20 years ago so my number are not 100% accurate but close the employers were paying Ironworkers about 29 an hour and an additional 16 an hour into your benefits package.

The difference between temp agencies and tradesman unions is the union folks are WELL compensated in the form of hourly wage, health insurance, pension, and OT over 40 or if you work a holiday (probably double time on a holiday in some cases). Way different deal than public sector or factory worker unions in most cases. Happy trapping! ScottW

Here’s a pic to help understand the compensation package for one particular zone of one particular union……this is a metro region so higher than averag.

As for PF, my non expert recommendation is try find the balance as best you can based on you and your families input and needs. I wish I had pushed a little harder when I was single with no kids, but I chose to trap more! lol. As SOON as you feel you can, Inwould take my foot off the pedal a bit if I were yiu and I read this entire post. I agree with Bryce that since you’re sleeping away from home it does make sense to work a lot while gone but the human body generally will not hold up to factory work 16 hrs/day 7 days/wk due to physical and mental breakdowns in the long run. Happy Trapping! ScottW

Not only well paid with good benefits but extremely well trained.

For all those that think I blow off family for work well here is how it typically goes.

Today My wife asked if I was coming home from work on Tuesday morning when I get off or if I was planning on working. I'm scheduled off Tues, Wensday and Thursday.

I just said not now what's going on. It's fair week and I'm needed to help with it so that's that. Yes I work a lot but the second I know something is going on days off or scheduled to work doesn't matter I won't be at work.

ALL of the ones you named are monitored and CANT work 80-100 hrs per week. When they work holidays and weekends they are forced to be off during the week So that’s a bad example

PF how do you stay married?? Very few women going to be alone that many days. Don’t know don’t want to know about your home life But couples I know that are apart that long can’t stand to be around each other !
But if it works for you I’m glad. Only thing I’m saying is working that many hours is known to shorten your life. But if you get that 5 million stashed away and die from heart attack at 56 I bet wife will enjoy it

Wait wait 4 weeks vacation? I’m betting it’s paid or it’s not vacation!! You can draw unemployment so yes it’s paid.

Unless you are hundreds of thousands in debt this is ludicrous!! You do know if something happened you can get a one time medical exemption for funds in one of those accounts ?! If you have worked for 5 plus years at the numbers above you are covered. 36,000 for 5 years amount won’t cover you fir a year?

I rest my case !

it's your life, man...you do you.

but being "available" isn't the same thing as being "present".

sometimes (MANY times!) it's the very small things (a knowing glance, a sly smile, etc.) that grow and secure those ties that bind.

Good luck, my Friend!

Idk fellas he may have it nailed...my family couldn't care less whether I'm home or not!