My NECA/IBEW Apprenticeship

The Wild Ride Continues

2011-08-30T12:18:00.000-07:00

Another school year approaches and it seems like yesterday that I just graduated from the apprenticeship, although it's been three months now. I must admit it has been a jam-packed quarter of a year! I was honored to be chosen by my JATC as this year's "Outstanding Apprentice", which meant I was given the opportunity to attend the 2011 National Training Institute (NTI) in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Once a year, IBEW electricians (who also teach) gather together and open their brains to hone their instructional skills and abilities. It's really quite amazing when you stop and think about it. Our instructors come from working in the field and transform themselves into people who teach others about their trade and livelihood. Most of the people I spoke with at NTI work 40+ hours a week "in the field" and then devote themselves to teach two nights a week throughout the school year. These people are dedicated! Many have been doing it for years and years and what drives them is the sole desire to help others along.

I became lost in a sea of Journeymen and Masters of my field and it felt incredible.

In our classes and workshops, we examined our challenges in the classroom as instructors. Luckily, I had the chance to teach one of my own night classes before NTI began, so I had a brief introduction of what was to come. Teaching is an entirely different aspect of our trade, yet it is one that encompasses all of our collective experiences. As instructors, we draw on examples that occur in the field to aptly illustrate the theories and concepts that are covered in our books. It takes creativity, imagination and humor to keep a class going strong, not to mention the vast depths of knowledge and understanding of the material to be covered. It's challenging and fun.

I met other apprentices who had recently "topped out" and were chosen as their Local Union's "Outstanding Apprentice". We exchanged stories and learned about all the differences between the various geographical regions throughout our National JATCs. It was inspiring to feel a part of something much larger than yourself, working toward common goals and being together in the struggle. (This is a recurring theme I have felt throughout all of my exposure to the organizations behind the electrical industry.) I hope to maintain the connections to these other "newbies" so that we can help one another navigate through all this new territory, together.

Matriculation!

2011-06-01T17:27:00.000-07:00

Dearest Readers,

I am thankful and grateful and proud to announce that as of June 1st 2011 (that's today), I am no longer an Apprentice Wireman with Local 26 -- my dues receipt now says Journeyman Wireman! What an accomplishment. Looking back, I still remember starting out in this program... the apprehension, the proving of wit and skill, the meeting new people, the not-knowing, the anxiety before a test, the grades, the nights at school that seemed endless sometimes, learning of new terms and words that only make sense to other electricians... and more recent memories... the meeting new people and the long conversations with old friends, the "shop talk", the comparing of notes about this job and that, the extension of skills and knowledge to others just starting out, recognizing that blank look when you say "I need 10 lamps" and finally giving in to say "yes, 10 bulbs". :D

Five years is indeed a long time, but MAN! The satisfaction of finishing is like nothing else. When I bump into fellow apprentices who will be walking across that stage with me on Saturday, there's a little glimmer in our eyes that communicates it all. No need to go on and on, because we all know it deep down inside. We're proud of what we've learned, all that we've been through, and we can all say "It's been a heck of a ride!"

These days at work, I'm still learning: that I must embrace my codebook to size things right the first time; how to balance the energy levels of my crew... motivate when necessary, antagonize for fun, have teaching moments when we can; how not to blow my top when it's really not necessary; how to keep an eye on falling levels of various material that my guys need; how best to prioritize multiple projects that all have very close deadlines. Now that's a far cry from learning to identify: 1/4-20x3/4" bolts, 1/4" fenders, 3/8" flats and the fact that "strut" is also another name for "kindorf" or "C-channel". Yes, we've come a long way!

Congratulations to every one of my peers, and here's a toast to the next chapter!

Nearing the end...

2011-04-24T04:08:00.000-07:00

This past Thursday was a monumental moment. I had a chance to see my peers all dressed up, ready and excited to graduate. We even had a mini-reunion with many of my classmates from day school. The school arranged for us to have a pre-gathering where individual and group pictures could be taken and information dispersed. I received a letter that informed me that my "top-out" date is June 1st. That means that I will officially become a Journeyman three days before graduation! On that date, I shall pay the difference in dues at the hall, and I will henceforth receive Journeyman wages. I recently explained to someone what this last raise increase means in layman's terms. Currently, 5th year apprentices are paid approximately $31/hr. As of your top-out date, that jumps to $40/hr. For those unfamiliar with hourly wages, what that translates to is a jump from $60,000/year to $80,000/year. With that kind of income, it pays to be a good, well-trained skilled worker. Many of my fellow apprentices have had the good fortune to buy a house, new vehicles and start a family, even in their mid-twenties! I can not complain either: I've been able to build up a comfortable cushion of emergency fund savings, a personal IRA, an annuity account through the Local, and have maintained the repayment of my student loans and mortgage costs, purchased two used vehicles, and have shaped up an incredible credit score!

These are exciting times.

What makes it all the more exciting is that there are so many opportunities ahead. There is no such thing as feeling like union construction is a "dead-end" job. Not only are there a variety of work responsibilities out in the field, like being a sub-foreman, foreman, service truck electrician, superintendent, project manager, estimator, or company owner, but there's also the behind-the-scenes individuals who work hard to keep everyone moving. The instructors at the school, the administration of the JATC, all the personnel and leadership at the Local Union Hall... the list goes on.

Very exciting times.

When we all gathered in a group for these photographs, I was overwhelmed with a sense of pride and dignity. It was a struggle for many to get through these five years, and yet we made it. Through personal sacrifice and diligence, we stood together, hundreds strong. We congratulated each other and shared a few moments of joy, suited up and posing for the camera. And whether or not others will admit it, I know for a fact I was not alone in feeling that pride in our accomplishments.

EWMC: What is it?

2011-01-17T05:42:00.001-08:00

Yesterday, I returned from an annual conference to which I was invited to attend as a delegate from our Local. The Electrical Workers Minority Caucus works throughout the year, through local chapters around the country, to inform the IBEW membership about the goals and achievements of our union. The chapter that Local 26 has set up is called the "Minority Coalition", and it was through this chapter that I had the privilege to be a delegate.

I was amazed at the amount of familiar faces that I saw, mostly from the Women's Conference last year. Additionally, I met my talented brothers and sisters from across the country, ranging from LA to Houston to Long Island, and of course NY. I saw people young and old, apprentices, journeymen and retired members who have remained active. I saw the type of diversity amongst our faces that I dream one day will represent the IBEW on a full scale.

Personally, I made new friends from across our lands who have similar objectives for the well-being of our Union. I have found hundreds of individuals who have different answers, opinions and perspectives that have helped me in my personal struggle and goals. There is a cohesion that exists through a tapestry of wisdom and skills that I feel many of our Local's members don't even know about.

I am also excited to announce that there is a strong effort to promote the cause of our Young Workers in the IBEW. Over the last few months, a few of us at Local 26 have been working on the formation of ARC-DC, Apprentices Reaching our Community. We have learned a great deal about our organization on a grander scale, and have faced challenges and hurdles that are not unique to us alone. If I learned anything from these conferences it is that we are not alone. There is a growing wave of support that exists from the AFL-CIO down through our IBEW and regionally that tells me that solutions can be shared and we can learn from the many successes of our brothers and sisters everywhere.

I am honored to have been a part of something larger than myself. I hope to bring a sense of urgency and pride back to my brethren and share in the insights that have inspired me.

November Rush

2010-11-20T07:15:00.000-08:00

I've heard a few times now the terms "upper-classmen" and "lower-classmen" referring to our apprentices. Considering I'm thirty years old, I thought those terms were behind me. I never really associated those words with our program, until very recently. I was reflecting on how busy the holiday rush always is for me, and this year even more so. My next two months are marked up weekend to weekend and then my last semester of night school (and of the apprenticeship as a whole) begins.

Day-school (lower-classmen time) was filled with anxiety. Week by week, our stipend checks depended on the ability to pass a test. All spare time was spent either studying material or being worried about whether or not the material stuck in our brains. There was little time or energy to consider other aspects of the trade -- what the future may hold, or what options are available, how the organization as a whole works, what benefits we have as employed members, etc. Least of our concerns was how to give back to the very community that has been bolstering us up through these years.

Then came night-school (upper-classmen time). A HUGE breath of relief. No more tests! Yes, attendance still counts, but that's easy enough, considering all else we've been through. The freedom to choose what courses are important to us on an individual level helps tremendously in the realm of being interested in the material -- learning for the sake of learning. The release from the grip of anxiety is so sweet, and frees us to open the field of vision and see all else that surrounds us.

Now, as I look forward to these next few weeks, I see that my realm has opened so far and wide, that my time is being filled with activities that do give back to my community. Volunteer opportunities arise, simply through the few connections I've made so far, and by being present and available. With service does come a sense of value and fulfillment that is matched by no other, and I am thankful for every opportunity that arises.

It's That Time of Year...

2010-10-12T18:32:00.000-07:00

September seems to have flown by, and now we are midway through October. Already. On the job and around the school, conversations with other apprentices remind me that certain other years are going through the process of "transferring" from one company to another. It's a mixed bag as to various feelings about the matter. Depending on which company you're currently with, the transfer time is either a blessing or a blessing in disguise. You never know what's on the other side of the fence. You may think you've got it good where you're at, and then realize in a month with your new contractor that you HAD NO CLUE what good really is! Or you might land yourself in a mud pit. In the middle of December. Mud in December? Is that possible? Yes ladies and gentlemen, it surely is. Not that there's anything wrong with that. My point is even if you find yourself in a mud pit in the middle of December, there is always something to be learned from the situation. You might come to understand that you really enjoy working outside. Or on that job, you *just might* bump into someone who could have a major influence in your future. At the very least, there's a good story that will come of it. (And you know how we electricians LOVE to recount stories!)

On the classroom front, I've been having a lot of fun with my current exploits. I'm in the Trade Teaching course, which is designed to teach apprentices and journeymen how to take the lead; on the job and in the classroom. We've thus far covered the concept of public speaking and presentational materials. My most recent class focused on Power Point Presentations and we even had some lab time with the computers. Our first task is to design a five minute presentation on whatever subject we like. I thought it would be simple, seeing as how it's only five minutes long. But therein lies the problem -- it's only five minutes long! Five minutes goes by in a blink of an eye. Surprisingly, I found that I still needed to prepare an outline before designing the final presentation. Quite a bit of time goes into these slideshows, and if you're a perfectionist about visual elements, then it's entirely too easy to fall down the bunny hole. Thursday we present. Fun fun!

Back to School, again!

2010-08-26T13:43:00.000-07:00

August is almost over, and with that comes one of my favorite seasons, Autumn. There's something about Maryland summers that really tests your patience. It's a struggle to stay hydrated, there's seemingly no relief from the stagnant air drenched with humidity, and through it all you're supposed to do your best at your daily tasks involving physical labor. Not to mention the mosquitos! So, since I'm still working in the Amazonia building at the National Zoo, we're now dealing with all the aforementioned annoyances, and continuing to plod through this fire alarm retrofit as best we can. It's challenging, but rewarding now that we can see some serious progress. We're nearly finished with the majority of the difficult and strenuous work, and I can see the horizon ahead. Soon we should be pulling some specially-colored wires of various gauges and then it's all downhill from there!

In the meanwhile, I just received my confirmation of which evening course I'll be attending this upcoming semester -- Elements of Trade Teaching. I'm looking forward to this class immensely; I've really appreciated all the skills and knowledge this trade has given me, and I can't wait to pay it forward.

And even though this hot, hot summer has brought forward bountiful harvests for me (think tomatoes, strawberries, blueberries, cucumber, watermelon and numerous herbs) I'm glad for things to finally be winding down. It's hot out there!

IBEW Women's Conference

2010-08-03T14:01:00.001-07:00

I've had a couple weeks to process this, and yet it's still murky waters for me. My mind is filled with unanswered questions, re-ignited excitement and wondrous curiosities.

When I first found out that I was invited to attend the annual IBEW Women's Conference, I was looking forward to seeing another aspect of my trade. I didn't know what to expect but to be surrounded by women. I didn't know what type of information the seminars would cover, or what the other women would be like. Would we get along? Would I be outgoing enough to participate in talks? Do I even know how to mingle with strangers? I didn't even know for sure who I would be rooming with in the hotel for 4 days!

I was delighted to find by the first day that all my apprehensions were laid to rest. I got along great with my roomie, the other women attendees were full of an infectious energy and the workshop leaders were skilled in the arts of ice-breakers that actually worked. I found myself opening up freely in topic-conversations, brainstorming, offering my perspective and various suggestions. After the first day I felt honored to be in the presence of so many hard-working and amazing women.

Originally I thought that the conference was open to women electricians. How surprised I was when I began to comprehend the sheer MAGNITUDE of the IBEW. In addition to other Inside Wiremen electricians, I met Outside Linemen and other workers also represented by the IBEW, whom I had no clue were even part of our membership. The common underlying values of workers' rights, and the massive body of desire to uplift our union as a whole was positively overwhelming in its own right.

Over my years in construction, I've been exposed to much discord: complaints, "issues" and disagreements about how things are, why problems exist and who is to blame. Normally these conversations end with the abrupt saying, "Well, it is what it is," or even more disturbing, "Oh well, what CAN you do?" For the first time in my career as a union electrician of over four years, I became witness to a pathway of Resolution, Progress and Hope.

I caught a glimpse of something at this conference: the passion in activism -- fighting honorably for values that I believe in; discovering sisterhood amongst strangers; the capacity for creativity in finding solutions to shared problems; the myriad roles filled by individuals who bring their unique strengths to the table; the combined wisdom of so many great minds and spirits.

Ultimately, I felt uplifted. It truly is an amazing organization that can elicit all the remarkable qualities of its membership, and celebrate the everyday people who make it all possible. I wish more people could have this experience.

Keeping it in Perspective

2010-07-06T13:34:00.000-07:00

Through my time as an apprentice, I've had the opportunity to experience a multitude of working environments. I've seen the typical "construction" site, where hardhats and safety glasses are everywhere. I've seen "occupied tenant spaces" where we've had to be careful of all debris that we create -- no dust on this or that person's desk! I've worked in the same office as someone who's working at his/her computer and let me tell you, that's nerve-wracking. But where I'm working now has been by far the most difficult environment I've ever experienced. I'm still at the National Zoo, still working in the Amazonia building, which by the way is a simulated rain forest in case you weren't aware. We have to be careful about everything we do; we don't want to step on the plants, lest they be crushed; we can't leave ANY trash behind because the tiniest piece of plastic can wreak havoc on the animals' intestines if consumed; we can't leave extension cords plugged in crossing any pathway because children and adult visitors alike are not accustomed to the added trip hazard; oh and it rains INSIDE, EVERYDAY. The building itself has very few straight walls, and even fewer 90 degree corners. It seems like with every step, we're towing a huge weight that drags and drags the job, climbing over obstacles (literally), tripping over ourselves and working in piecemeal. This is a challenge for both myself and my mechanic, who prefers the ability to "run with a job". Who ever thought that I would miss the days when I had a foreman who wanted things done "rush, rush, rush"; when it was possible to throw that pipe run up, easily getting 200-300 feet up... ahh, those were the days.

It's easy to get caught up in the daily fusses of how your current situation could be better. You think "if only" this, or that. Your first instinct is to find a better way, because after all, most of us who are drawn to this sort of work are natural problem solvers. But sometimes, as I'm finding out, this terribly slow crawl is in fact the best way. You simply have to be determined to hunker down and take it one step at a time. Sometimes that means taking it one hour at a time. I find I have to silence the brain about all other concerns, and focus on the task at hand. Bite-sized chunks of a job eventually winnow out a huge scoop.

Last week we finally finished one portion of our rather large project. When we got to the stage of pulling wire to the lighting dimmer controller, I got a breath of relief. After struggling with the entire lighting project from burying flexible conduit throughout the rainforest, hiding lighting fixtures amidst the plants and pulling hundreds of feet of wiring while balancing between spiky trees and curious monkeys, I knew that the finish line was in sight. I knew that wiring the final switches and pulling the final legs of wire back to the electrical panel meant that we could soon turn on those forsaken lights! When troubleshooting the system only took one day, I really felt proud of what we had accomplished. Everything was watertight, and there were no shorts. Quite an accomplishment.

So I've found the best way to keep insanity at bay on a challenging job is to remain vigilant against negativity, remind myself of the all the milestones, and seriously take it one step at a time. It's too easy to get overwhelmed if you let the flood gates of criticism run rampant in your own head.

With spring, a flood of work!

2010-05-02T17:50:00.000-07:00

I am nearing the end of my fourth year as an apprentice, and I feel there's still so much more to learn. A few weeks ago, I was given the remarkable opportunity to participate in a "Code Update" seminar. I was surrounded by men and women who are the leaders of our field. I met a whole range of people who were in attendance for varying reasons; some were updating their VA licenses, or PG county licenses, while others were there to refresh their knowledge of Fire Alarm codes. I also saw a few familiar faces from years ago - guys I worked with here and there from almost all the companies I've been with. While I was there, I marveled at the amount of people there, on a Saturday, simply to continue their education and extend their mastery of electrical practice. I was proud to know that this organization is what made it all come together.

I have been continually astonished with what it means to be a member of this Local, and what it means to be a student in this apprenticeship. As I come closer to completing this portion of the journey, I realize again and again how much more is out there. It takes a community to make a movement, and I am well aware of the generous amount of support that exists in this community.

Another Year, already?

2010-03-20T05:25:00.000-07:00

During this past week's evening class, I spoke with a few other 4th year apprentices, and was reminded that we'll be getting our 5th year bump in pay very soon. In fact, it's much sooner than I expected! Because I'm a creature of habit, I had in the back of my mind that we would be re-classified as 5th year apprentices in August -- just like every year in the past. However, because we are in night school now, the re-classification comes in June, when we have completed our 2nd night course! That means I will be receiving pay at 80% of A-Journeyman scale within 3 months. I absolutely can not believe how fast these past years have come and gone. In other jobs that I've had before joining this trade, five years would have seemed like a lifetime! I suppose routine and boredom set in long before five years ever approached. As an electrician, I feel like 5 years has just barely scratched the surface. Even after three intense years of day-school training, and four+ years of on the job training, I honestly feel like there's so much more to learn and get my hands on. I've been lucky enough to have worked under various foremen who have allowed me the opportunity to jump right in, from prints to production, that I have a pretty strong grasp of blueprints and can basically do the work on my own, from "roughing-in" all the way through to "finish" work. But that's only one aspect of the trade. There's control work for mechanical systems, lighting controls for extremely large and complex systems, building automation that integrates mechanicals, hvac and lighting, hospitals, theaters, schools, emergency generation, telecom, data centers... and the list can go on and on. What's amazing is that for each and every one of these extra categories, there are special rules, regulations and specifications that go along with them. I've seen glimpses of these other aspects, but in no way could I say I'm an expert, and I would seriously question anyone who claims they are. Our trade just encompasses so many facets of the construction industry, you could spend a lifetime studying it or working on it and still have room to learn about something else. And that's just the installation side of it! Then there's the flip-side -- personnel management: overseeing a helper, running a crew, being a truck-driver, estimating, purchasing material, material handling, being a foreman, being a general foreman, superintendent, project manager, etc. There are so many opportunities to learn and grow in this field. It's rather astounding. So, to keep it in perspective, five years is nothing really.

Evening Courses

2010-03-09T01:48:00.000-08:00

One of the fascinating aspects of this Local's apprenticeship program is our ability to compress five years' worth of education into three. Traditionally, (and concurrently in other regions of the country) "Book 1" is reserved for 1st year apprentices, "Book 2" is taught to 2nd years and so on. This format allows for a summer break between books but is also formatted for students to attend class in the evening, once or twice a week, thus lasting the full span of 5 years. Contrarily, our Local has negotiated a way for apprentices to have what we lovingly call "day-school" where we get the privilege of skipping a whole day's work once every two weeks, in exchange for an 8-hour intensive day of classroom training, with pay from the Local. Not only does this format pump out accelerated apprentices (Book 5 knowledge after only 3 years in the trade), but it also makes the transition from Book to Book much smoother because we don't have 3 months off for summers to forget everything we just learned. Additionally, it gives every apprentice the opportunity to tailor our continuing education through our last two years of the program -- we actually get to choose what advanced courses we'd like to take! Each semester (fall and spring) classes are offered at our training facility that are open to 4th and 5th year apprentices and to A-Journeymen in our Local. It's incredible how packed these classes are. They are held in the evenings, once a week for 14 weeks and cover a broad range of topics.

My current course is Renewable Energies and we've been studying topics such as wind energy, biomass, and of course, photovoltaics (PV). At the end of the course, we have the chance to sit for a knowledge exam that certifies the participation in the class and a basic level of calculation-based knowledge necessary for PV installations. And like many other certification-based courses, (ie, Fire Alarm, Telecommunications, Code) it is entirely up to the student to take the initiative and pay for and sit for the exam. It isn't automatic, just by enrolling in the class. However, as I understand it just from talking to various representatives of employers and other mechanics, having a long list of certifications under your belt can certainly go a long way. If an apprentice "comes out of his/her time" with any certifications, it definitely shows what type of initiative one has, and especially during weak economic conditions, it could be the one thing that furthers continued employment.

Working at the Smithsonian

2010-01-30T07:18:00.000-08:00

It's not everyday you get to say that you're doing electrical work in a rainforest. But for the past 2 months or so, I've been able to say just that! In the deep freeze of winter, I'm wearing my thinnest work pants and t-shirts to go work inside the Amazonia -- one of the many habitat/exhibits found at the National Zoo.

My current employer, Tex/Am Construction, happens to work closely with the Smithsonian Institutes on a number of projects. I've had the opportunity thus far to work on two different generator jobs, dealing with switchgear, big pipes, fire alarm and all the controls necessary to maintain emergency power at the Museum of Natural History, and at a Montgomery County Public School. I've also seen some time in a muddy ditch, getting pipes ready for a concrete pour. And the most interesting work environment thus far -- the Amazon Rainforest habitat. It's 80+ degrees and humid everyday, you're surrounded by over 300 species of tropical flora and best of all, you have to watch out closely for the two monkeys that roam free. They're curious creatures, and one is especially courageous and will sneak up on you to steal what he can from your tool bag. In fact, one day as I was preparing to put liquidtite conduit along on the the "living" herbaceous walls, the sneaky critter came up to my staging area and proceeded an attempt to take my foreman's keys. Not exactly your "normal" obstacles and challenges you'd find on a construction site. So far, it's been an interesting ride and I'm exposed to a variety of work with this company.

Enjoy the following pics!

Here's a small sampling of the vegetation you'll find at the Amazonia.

My ladder is actually set up inside one of the fish-holding tanks. This is the first time I've ever worn waders.

This little guy really wants me to give him some goodies.

This shot was taken moments before the monkey's attempt at key-theivery.

Exciting new technology!

2009-12-20T08:41:00.000-08:00

Our new Local JATC website has some awesome new tools. One of which is the Forum! This seems like a great place for current apprentices to discuss ideas, concepts and questions about all things electrical! Now it's just time to get the word out.

Copper or Aluminum Lugs: How Should You Decide?

2009-12-17T12:48:00.001-08:00

Copper or Aluminum Lugs: How Should You Decide?

(Posted using ShareThis)

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Today at work the question came up of whether we should use NOALOX on our switch gear connections and on all the terminations we've been working on. None of our wires are aluminum, and thus I claimed it wasn't necessary. However the worry was about the fact that the lugs are aluminum and the conductors are copper. One guy said it's in the code, another guy said it's not. (I love these conversations by the way!) Of course, no one actually had a code book handy, so my foreman said he would check on it. While I was online researching this question online today, I discovered the above article which in my opinion answers the question pretty definitively.

Also I stumbled upon the NFPA website which offers the NEC online for free! All you have to do is register for the website. It's actually not a bad interface. All you can do is turn the pages and use the table of contents as a method for jumping through the code book, which is just enough access for the convenience of getting it online. If you need to copy and paste, then it's not for you. However, if you just need an answer on the fly for when you're on your computer, then it's perfect.

Women in the Electrical Trade

2009-11-20T15:45:00.000-08:00

In response to a reader's questions, I'd like to take this opportunity to discuss this slightly controversial topic, or at least address my experiences thus far. Recently, our Local has engaged in a diversity training program that is accessible online and on DVD. Personally, I've attended many such in-house programs over the years, and the issues that we deal with never feel completely settled. And honestly, I'm glad for that. I grew up in an underprivileged neighborhood, typically meaning it was a predominantly minority population. "Minority" is a certain catch-all phrase that includes so many sub-sets of our human population. I happen to fall into multiple minority categories all at once, and much like Schroedinger's cat, it depends which group the observer happens to be observing, to understand the results of those observations. That is, are you trying to understand another person's cultural background? gender? race? sexual orientation? ethnicity? nationality? What I've often found is if you address these experiences separately and individually, then often pigeon-hole concepts arise and assumptions are made about the person which may not exactly apply in his/her situation.

In this case, when we're dealing with the fact that I am a woman (a minority in the male-dominated field of construction), my co-workers are often hesitant in the first few days/weeks of working with me. And I too am somewhat hesitant. As many apprentices often feel when transferring to a new crew or company, there is a certain testing period that happens when everybody wants to know "Is this a good fit?" Like an ecosystem, there exists a very sensitive balance amongst crew members that builds over time. Sense of humors, work styles, complaining and praising habits are all variables that interact to create the cohesion of a team. When a new person is thrown in the mix, suddenly there's turmoil, uncertainty and curiosity. Add to this the fact that "it's a girl!" and you've got a full-blown tornado of confusion. What do I do? I show up, and work. I do the electrical work the way I've been trained, I ask questions about new concepts, and I cross my fingers that personalities will mesh. Usually, it's no problem. There have been a few glitches here and there, but nothing that I've found terribly off-putting.

One common theme that I've found is that many men who don't yet know me are fearful of what they say and how they act when I am in the room. There is a certain level of mistrust that lingers about "being politically correct" and whether or not a formal complaint will be issued against them. Sometimes it feels like they think I'm a vulture or hawk, just waiting for the opportunity to pounce on their bad deeds, and make it big on the company's legal cash-cow. I guess that's a side-effect of society using legal means and fear mongering to teach about tolerance and diversity. I'm sure these things do happen, but unfortunately I think it's over-represented and a little misguided to perpetuate the drama.

If you happen to be a male electrician, unsure of how to handle a woman on the job, I would advise to not let the fact that she's a woman get in the way of realizing all the other aspects of this human being who you're dealing with, just like that other new guy you're trying to figure out -- there's lots more about a person than whether they stand up or sit down while peeing.

Ultimately, I don't think anyone likes their identity being put into a cubbyhole and being treated, based solely on one aspect of who they are. It is pretty offensive, no matter how you say it -- "Oh you're acting like such a ________." (enter any single aspect: woman, christian, republican, liberal, man, jew, mexican, etc.) If there's any one thing I'd like to be judged on, that would be how good an electrician I am. And everyone should know there's always room for improvement.

Comments & questions welcome.

IBEW on the Radio

2009-11-02T12:42:00.000-08:00

Last Thursday, I was listening to National Public Radio on WAMU (88.5 FM) and the discussion was about how the stimulus package is helping to broaden the prospects of "smart grid" technology across the nation. The speaker on the news show reported that there is currently a large project moving forward in Nevada, and that IBEW members are leading the effort! Also, stimulus monies are being released to strengthen training and apprenticeships specifically. Updating to smarter electrical grids may be somewhat controversial right now, but it very well may be the future of our employment. It could create a vast number of jobs, and it may be the key to securing electrical work for next few decades.

What does Labor Day mean?

2009-09-06T07:45:00.000-07:00

Okay, this is not going to be about the history of labor (though that would be a great subject to overview), and it's not going to be about the Hallmark-er-ization of holidays (a rant that isn't suitable for this medium). In fact, it's about the mark of time that Labor Day has become for the US calendar. September = school.

Over the last three years, I have been attending "day school" for the apprenticeship, which means going to school for 8 hours every two weeks without fail, barring a handful of holidays that happened to land on my school day. No summer vacation to speak of, and a winter break that meant we went a month instead of two weeks between classes. (And that was always a bummer because it meant that much more time to forget everything we learned in class, and thus a more difficult time preparing for the next test.)

After these three grueling years of "day school" we finally get a summer break, and with said break, it means Labor Day (and all its symbolic time marking capacity) is upon us in full force. School once again starts the day after Labor Day. For me, that's literally the day after Labor Day. I have been assigned Tuesday evenings for my first class in night school, that being Power Quality. We're apparently using the same text book that we studied during book 5 for Power Quality, which is a very good text. I'm looking forward to delving in a little deeper, and getting a better understanding of all the nuances that occur in the power systems that degrade our energy consumption. It's back to electrons, harmonics, semi-conductors and sine waves. Yipee!

Additionally, this year is the beginning of a new responsibility for me. At the end of book 5 all 3rd year apprentices were given the chance to "run for candidacy". The elected position of 4th year representative for the Appeals Board becomes open every year as the current seat holder graduates to fill the 5th year position as a voting member. I made the decision to run, wrote a letter addressing my fellow classmates, and ultimately was chosen to fulfill this duty. I am excited and proud to take part in our organization in a way that offers my time, giving back to a massive structure that has thus far given me so much already.

A little bit about $$

2009-09-06T07:07:00.000-07:00

Last week I was thrilled at seeing my new paycheck. It was a long time coming, and definitely a boost to my budget. The pay grades that are scheduled throughout the apprenticeship have been a gift in disguise. Even though the early stages (1st year through 3rd) were a tough pill to swallow, being somewhat on the low side of the scale, they also gave me the opportunity to really plan and budget for all of my expenses. Budgeting and saving have not been much of a priority to me in the past because I took it for granted that I would always be working. At the very least, all my bills were paid, and if I ever wanted to save for something big like a vacation, or a luxury purchase, it wouldn't be a thing to just put some cash aside for that high ticket item.

Maybe it's my age sneaking up on me (30 in a few months!), or maybe my eyes are just a little wider now because of these "tough economic conditions", but saving for a rainy day has become more important than ever. To be honest, on my 3rd year wages, I was just breaking even with my monthly expenses. I didn't rack up debt, but I wasn't exactly building a nest egg either. However, I do own a home, and that's something to show for. Thanks to the consistent and reliable income, I've been able to routinely pinch a tiny bit off the top to "pay myself first" through automatic savings. Although the actual figures in that savings may look paltry, the most valuable thing of it has been the habit itself.

I loved Ralph's talk in Book 5 about layoffs and savings. Students in my year are fortunate. We've seen the effects of a terrible recession all around us, and yet most of us have not been touched by it personally. We're still considered somewhat cost-effective on the job, and so have a bit more of a safety net with the apprenticeship. One thing is for sure: I don't take it for granted any more that I will always be working. I've talked to mechanics that I worked with from other companies and they've been out of work for months, and one in particular has been out for over a year. I've seen my company lay off workers who have been with them for 10, 15+ years. It is a fact of this industry. You've got to be tough. But more importantly, you've got to be prepared. Luckily the whole being prepared thing is easy enough to learn for anyone!

Official News

2009-08-21T12:29:00.001-07:00

Here are a few official tidbits that apply to my situation:

1. I am officially out of day school, and shall begin attending night classes in a couple of weeks.

2. This entire last week was my first week being paid as a 4th year apprentice, at 70% of AJ scale (that's $26 + change). I eagerly await next week's paycheck to realize the full benefits of this upgrade.

3. The new and improved local JATC website has been running for about a month now. Yay, we have officially entered the 21st century. It's exciting!

Rites of Passage

2009-08-05T17:30:00.000-07:00

Two Fridays ago, I attended my second-to-last class for "day school". That means I took my very last test, #60. What a relief!! After school was over, I went with a couple other apprentices down the road to celebrate by throwing back a couple of brewskies. It's nice to know that all these other 3rd year apprentices have made it this far. It's really quite an accomplishment. Every two weeks we've gone to the school and taken a written test before each session (almost every single session). Then we've proceeded to sit [sit!!] through 8 hours of listening, watching slides, and hearing stories. For some people, it's torture. The knowledge is great, when you get it. But the sitting! We're just not accustomed to be in one spot for such a long period of time. After all, we like to move; that is why most of us chose this profession as opposed to "office manager", right?

Now my class has only one session left to attend. August 21st. I'm sure every student in Brown Friday has that day marked on their calendars. Even though we're still apprentices, we theoretically have the knowledge of 5 years worth of apprenticeship book training. From what I understand, the JATC of Local 26 was one of the first schools to implement this "day school" program, whereby the first three years are devoted to teaching and learning the traditional curriculum of Books 1-5. It's really great because by the 4th year, we can really begin concentrating on becoming an A-Journeyman. We've got enough book learning to basically comprehend most of the electrical systems we come across, (and if we don't, we at least have some kind of text book to use as a reference) and yet there's that fine line that delineates us from everyone else -- lack of experience. It's humbling. And that's a good place to sit, in my opinion.

The best way that I can describe how this feels goes something like this: there will always be someone more knowledgeable than me, and this is a person I want to learn from; there will always be someone less knowledgeable than me, and this is a person I want to learn from. In fact, some of the best things that I have learned about the trade have come from watching or working near a lesser-qualified electrician. When you make a mistake because you don't know any better, you just don't understand why it happened, how it happened, or how not to make it happen again. But when you watch a mistake happen and you know exactly how it got to be, it's a much more memorable experience.

Three cheers to the end of day school! Three more to the beginning of night classes!

PS. I'm still terribly excited for our fourth year bump in income.

Control!

2009-07-06T17:00:00.000-07:00

In my most recent class, we talked more about Building Automation, which revolves around "control processes". (That would be turning equipment off and on at particular times, or when otherwise called upon.)

Traditionally, when we think of the work that electricians do, lights & power comes to mind. That is, we install all the parts of an electrical system that allows energy to flow to end devices that utilize it, ie. lights and receptacles, and other miscellaneous equipment in between that either uses power or controls it. (Often we supply power to HVAC components like condenser pumps or Variable Air Volume units for example.)

Originally, large equipment like motors and big industrial machines were controlled the same way that we basically control lights -- manual switches that get flipped on and off. However, industrial switches are rather souped up and reinforced to withstand the higher voltages & currents. As more and more systems go automated vis a vis computerization, we're seeing more "control guys" out in the field. The issue right now is, to whom does this type of work belong?

When I first started in this field, I wondered who these "control guys" really were. What trade actually does this kind of work? Telecom? Inside wireman? Mechanical contractor? It seems currently that the job is up for grabs because there's always new technology reaching us in the field, yet the majority of installers who work on these control systems are in fact Mechanical contractors. I find that very interesting, seeing as most of the control work involves electrical components, varying from transformers & fuses to circuit boards and programmable logic controllers (industrial computers). What's even more interesting is how few electricians are actually comfortable with this type of work.

One of the topics that we covered as 3rd year apprentices was Motor Control. We learned how to interpret and even build a very basic control diagram. The stuff I thought was gobbledeguke at the beginning of the lessons turned out to be very simple (once we learned it of course). Strangely enough, I have yet to come across a Motor Control Schematic per se, on the job. However, I have found that the knowledge I gained in those lessons prepared me to feel comfortable with control diagrams of all sorts. Lighting control, fire alarm and other low-voltage systems aren't so intimidating to me anymore.

My question is, if control work is "big brain" work for electricians, then why are the mechanical guys doing it all? Is it that electrical contractors just don't want to bother with it? I understand that there may be somewhat of a disparity as to how many electricians are qualified to do it, but just like fire alarm systems, electrical contractors must pick and choose which individuals they'd like to train to do the highly specialized work. Shouldn't it be just as important to train a few to work on mechanical controls?

Trades at Work

2009-06-09T17:51:00.000-07:00

On the job where I am now, I get to work around lots of people. Particularly impressive to be around are the union carpenters. They're installing some gorgeous wood panelling (that we, as electricians have to coordinate with, in order to get our devices in just right). It's really heavy stuff, so there's an unusually large number of men working from the same shop all in the same little area. The electricians are completely outnumbered -- our 2 to their 12, all working in the elevator lobbies found on two floors. Not to mention the elevator guys who tend to pop in and out of their contraptions!

Needless to say, there's not much room to maneuver out there. I've been going back and forth on the fire alarm tenant fit-out on these two floors for the past few weeks, so we're all starting to get acquainted with each other. Being around these guys reminds me of the days when I worked on a "base-building" crew. The differences are astounding between "base-building" and "tenant" work. I find that these days, I end up working alone for long stretches, getting assigned to small projects, and working through until it's complete and I'm ready for another project. But on base-building jobs, there's always at least 3-4 other electricians you're working near, if not working together on the same project.

The carpenters reminded me of the comradery found in working together toward the same goal. You know, you joke around, make the day go by together, all in good fun, while still working steady throughout the day. The entire crew eats together and learns from one another above and beyond the trade -- they talk together about personal issues and about coping strategies, economic welfare and relationship strife. Because of the rapport that they share, no topic is taboo, and conversation runs the gamut. There is a wealth of knowledge out there, if only we take a breath, and listen.

Union Meeting TODAY!

2009-05-27T17:23:00.001-07:00

Special Called Meeting on Thursday, May 28, 7pm

Vote on diversion of wage funds.

Total Wage Increases:

6/1/09 - $1.70

6/1/10 - $2.00

6/1/11 - $2.20

Divert from increase each year:

Pension, $0.25

(@6000hrs = $1,500.)

Health & Welfare, $0.20

(@6000hrs = $1,200.)

JATC, $0.05

(@6000hrs = $300.)

(Total @6000hrs = $3,000 per person over three years.)

Come to the meeting to find out details.

OTJ (On the Job) - TORK Timeclock

2009-05-26T14:54:00.000-07:00

This past Friday I had the opportunity to wire up my first lighting contactor and TORK digital time clock. We briefly talked about lighting contactors back in Book 4, but standing in front of an empty box and sorting through six different control diagrams trying to make sense of it all is a much more intimidating feat than I had originally imagined it to be, what with the mix of mechanical and electronic components, the mix of 277 and 120 lighting circuits, and the control circuit to boot!

As much practice as we got in the motor control lab at school, and as much as I felt I truly understood those concepts, I must honestly say I did get a little confused trying to interpret the schematics that came with the equipment. Bit by bit however, I did piece it together as best I could, and with just a couple final questions (with some help from Tom Myers) about the override switch inputs, I at least finished wiring the whole thing. Before I get it *hot* you can bet that some preliminary testing shall take place.

I think it's somewhat reassuring that my foreman simply handed me the project and said "I haven't even looked at this in detail yet, so... yeah." Reassuring, in that I suppose he trusts me to get it done. On the other hand, it's also a sort of trial by fire (I hope not literally). I'm just thankful that I have a slew of brains to pick, and plenty of phone numbers to call if ever I need the help. It's not so bad knowing there's this HUGE safety net of people I've met and worked with on the job, not to mention the instructors -- whose lives revolve around us apprentices! Hahahahahahahahaha. Sorry, couldn't help that one.

A Brief History of Me

2009-05-20T18:36:00.000-07:00

It seems I always get the same few questions that pop up when they see me on the job for the first time. So I suppose I'll start there.

1) "So... how long have you been doing this?" Well, let's see... I started working as an apprentice in February 2006, so WOW! going on 3+ years. Yeah, it's been a while.

2) "How'd you end up doing this kind of work anyway?" This question always gets me. I seriously wonder if any of my male counter-parts get this question at the rate of occurrence that I do. But I suppose that comes with the territory of choosing this line of work as a woman. Alas, c'est la vie. And in order to remain on friendly terms with the drywall guys or the carpenters, or whomever it is that's making conversation, I give the following spiel: Well, I was remodeling my house some years ago, and I happened to be installing some pendant lights when I realized, 'hey, I could get paid to do this. Yeah, I could do this for 8 hours a day, easy.'

In retrospect, I can say the past 3+ years have blasted past. Honestly, I can't even believe that the end of day school shall soon be upon me. (Not to mention another pay grade!!!! Yeah I can't wait for that. Trust me. Counting down the days.) I'm sure I'll miss being able to say to my foreman, "don't forget, I'm not going to be here on Friday!" And I'll definitely miss hearing the typical response, "Wait, weren't you in school last week?" Haha, haha, haha.

Now I'm eagerly awaiting the release of course offerings for journeyman's classes. I know one class for sure I'd like to take: renewable energies. But more on that later.