Chicago and Vicinity
International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, AFL-CIO
Affiliated with Painters District Council #14
Chicagolands #1 Curtain Wall Specialist
Glaziers Union Local #27
&
Apprenticeship Facilty
4225 Lawndale Avenue
Lyons, IL. 60534
Phone: (708)-443-9000
Fax: (708)-443-9007
Email: glaziers27@aol.comTIPS : HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR VALUE AS A UNION WORKER
Are you a good worker? Do you have a good work ethic? Are you active in your Union? Do people really like working with you? Are you up to date on the latest industry standards?
Here are 30 tips that increase your value as a worker, Union member and person in general. 1. Be early to the worksite. If you are not 15 minutes early to work, then you're LATE!2. Gas up your car the night before work - running out of gas is a poor excuse for being late.3. Have a spare tire WITH a jack in your car. A flat tire is also a poor exuse for being late.4. Know where you are going. Jobsites can be found on a map or by calling a contact person for directions ( Do this Before you are late.)5. Know your Boss's name6. Buy quality work boots. 7. Eat breakfast before arriving on the jobsite8. Be prepared. You know what tools you are required to bring, bring them.9. Go to the truck once. Bring everything you need that one time. Dont go get the tape measure & then go get the pliars and then go get the snips. We are all wise to these types. Dont be one.10. No horseplay. Horseplay = accidents11. If you are working with a good glazier compliment them.12. If someone needs help, give it.13. Dont be a slob. Keep your work area clean14. Do your share of "shit" work.15. Don't bring "home" or "personal" problems to work.16. Put things back. (yes, every time)17. Learn a couple of good jokes.18. Don't lend your stuff. (This includes money)19. Don't borrow stuff. ( This includes money)20. Know what you are doing. Do not fudge up the job and then ask for help. Ask first, most of your Union brothers are happy to finally tell someone "How to do it correctly" 21. Clean up at the end of the shift, not twenty minutes early.22. Stick up for your correct pay. Your Business Agents fight hard to get you those monies. Guys that dont care if they get the $5 per day expense, High pay or paid for picking up the work truck make it harder for the guys that do care. Your B.A.'s negotiated it, you stand up for it! 23. ATTEND UNION MEETINGS. You should know how your Union works. Its officers and what the current Union business at hand is. Being a Union member is not just about getting the benefits of a Union wage. Unions need your support. 24. Know your Business Agents. They are your "go to" guys when the going gets tough. If you dont know them, then you are not involved enough.25. Take advantage of any and all Union provided training. Training = Knowledge. Knowledge = Worth(And its FREE)26. If someone asks to see your Union card, it is not an insult. Show them your card, they are probably asking to enforce Union participation on the jobsite. They are your brothers in Union, and You should
always ask to see theirs as well. As a matter of fact, if someone is doing your trade and you do not
recognize them, ask to see their card. Its not an insult, Its job security.
27. Be safe, each and every day, each and every hour.28. Give quality work. Dont rush just to "get this last one in" if it means inferior work. Dont hack up a frame if its out of square. Doing the job right the first time takes less time and money than having to do it a
second time. Contractors value this type of worker and will employ them before taking the "hacker".
It is also job security.29. Do not burn bridges. If a contractor lays you off, it may be true that they are short on work. If work picksup, then they may employ you again. If you throw a fit when you are laid off then they may never hireyou agian because of it. This includes if you are unjustly laid off. In this case please contact your Business Agent immediately and let them fight for you. They are trained and vicious for just such an occasion.30. Make friends. You can never have too many.
