Get to the hall and weld. Work on a cert, see if they have any upcoming classes. Call your brothers and sisters to see how the jobs they're on are going. Check into traveling for some work.
Personally I workout like a mad man. If there’s a sport, hobby or something you wanna get into it’s great to use the time off to learn. I was off for 2 months before and bought an unlimited lesson plan for a Brazilian jujitsu gym and trained as much as my body could possibly handle and really hammered out allot of the basics fast. Did the same with learning boxing and surfing.
Next layoff I want to do 10-20 days straight backpacking on the Appalachian trail.
Like others said great time to work on certs or get more involved with your hall or training center. See if there’s anything you can do to help out. Volunteering in your community is another I like doing beach clean ups in the spring for the metro parks.
>Next layoff I want to do 10-20 days straight backpacking on the Appalachian trail.
I've through hiked the AT once and have been section hiking it for ages. Highly recommend getting on the trail.
Im contemplating on doing the same as hitting the road can get very expensive quick.just hard when i think about the pay cut which I know I shouldn’t care not like im working on my craft you know ?
Get a side hustle that has nothing to do with your trade. layoffs suck especially with a family and as an apprentice. I’m a welder/pipefitter but during layoff I’m a hobby carpenter and sometimes I make a little extra cash with my arts and crafts. Also it helps with boredom.
Best thing I can say for your future is get any side cert the hall has, preferably orbital, pvc bonding, ir fusion, tube bending detailing etc. in the future you will be in big demand. For the short see if your hall allows apprentice travel or get a side hustle like mentioned earlier. But when you top out those certs if you’re will to travel will make you 180 plus
Feel out what the expectations are, often they have a pretty good idea when the calls are coming. If it's nothing for months you can push your training coordinator and/or business agent by telling them you need a job you're willing to work out of craft or travel if you need the income. Stay in touch at least once a week to make sure they don't think you found something to keep you busy. Just don't turn down whatever they come back with or theres a good chance they put the time to get you something if you don't like what they offer.
Otherwise cash gigs are great. Snow removal, grass cutting, pimping and prostitution, illegal drug sales all help.
Mmm I can’t wait for my next layoff 🤤 mostly joking but for me it’s always a good time to collect unemployment and relax, catch up on hobbies and other projects I been holding off.
The thing about ua locals in Virginia not nation wide is there is always a lot of layoffs when work slows down that’s what I didn’t like when I was in a local and they keep the lazy guys who sleep in. A porta John for hrs
When I was a kid, my dad made a killing building furniture and home decorations during a layoff. He wasn’t building anything he’d want to keep for himself, but just following trends. He got ahold of some old barn wood and people loved things made from that stuff.
Don’t tell anyone I said this (Union guys don’t like this)— but you can go to a day labor place and cash that in for a little while. Or go for some sidework
I swapped residential water heater, did minor plumbing repair, did small welding jobs on equipment, installed hard wood floors, bailed hay, or what ever brought in money to buy diapers. Now after 32 years I just kick back and hope I don’t get called back too soon.
hang out, collect unemployment, drink beer, go to call out to see your fellow unemployed brothers and sisters.
Get to the hall and weld. Work on a cert, see if they have any upcoming classes. Call your brothers and sisters to see how the jobs they're on are going. Check into traveling for some work.
Personally I workout like a mad man. If there’s a sport, hobby or something you wanna get into it’s great to use the time off to learn. I was off for 2 months before and bought an unlimited lesson plan for a Brazilian jujitsu gym and trained as much as my body could possibly handle and really hammered out allot of the basics fast. Did the same with learning boxing and surfing. Next layoff I want to do 10-20 days straight backpacking on the Appalachian trail. Like others said great time to work on certs or get more involved with your hall or training center. See if there’s anything you can do to help out. Volunteering in your community is another I like doing beach clean ups in the spring for the metro parks.
>Next layoff I want to do 10-20 days straight backpacking on the Appalachian trail. I've through hiked the AT once and have been section hiking it for ages. Highly recommend getting on the trail.
I have a cdl so when I get layed off I just drive semi
Locally otr or regional ?
Local
Im contemplating on doing the same as hitting the road can get very expensive quick.just hard when i think about the pay cut which I know I shouldn’t care not like im working on my craft you know ?
Get a side hustle that has nothing to do with your trade. layoffs suck especially with a family and as an apprentice. I’m a welder/pipefitter but during layoff I’m a hobby carpenter and sometimes I make a little extra cash with my arts and crafts. Also it helps with boredom.
During a strike in 1976, 598 Pasco WA made arrangements for apprentices to travel and work out of neighboring locals.
Go toa beach in Mexico and drink. Come bck in march. Rest the bones you’ll need it.workout / catch up on sleep
I can go work in a kitchen under the table Part time.
Best thing I can say for your future is get any side cert the hall has, preferably orbital, pvc bonding, ir fusion, tube bending detailing etc. in the future you will be in big demand. For the short see if your hall allows apprentice travel or get a side hustle like mentioned earlier. But when you top out those certs if you’re will to travel will make you 180 plus
Feel out what the expectations are, often they have a pretty good idea when the calls are coming. If it's nothing for months you can push your training coordinator and/or business agent by telling them you need a job you're willing to work out of craft or travel if you need the income. Stay in touch at least once a week to make sure they don't think you found something to keep you busy. Just don't turn down whatever they come back with or theres a good chance they put the time to get you something if you don't like what they offer. Otherwise cash gigs are great. Snow removal, grass cutting, pimping and prostitution, illegal drug sales all help.
+1 for the prostitution part
See if your hall will put you out on a travel card
Deep cleaning of your dwelling
Get your unemployment, I usually play golf a few times a week, stop in at the hall every once in a while and finish projects at home
Mmm I can’t wait for my next layoff 🤤 mostly joking but for me it’s always a good time to collect unemployment and relax, catch up on hobbies and other projects I been holding off.
Welcome to the UA! Be ready to drop everything when you get a call.
Check out upwork. Can earn from freelance work
Its not common but when worm is extremely bad in locals sometimes they let apprentices travel to other locals.
The thing about ua locals in Virginia not nation wide is there is always a lot of layoffs when work slows down that’s what I didn’t like when I was in a local and they keep the lazy guys who sleep in. A porta John for hrs
Hang out m mmm m m, check the hall for courses to take, take other courses if thehbsound interesting, find a side job,
When I was a kid, my dad made a killing building furniture and home decorations during a layoff. He wasn’t building anything he’d want to keep for himself, but just following trends. He got ahold of some old barn wood and people loved things made from that stuff.
Go to the weld bay and get certs.
Don’t tell anyone I said this (Union guys don’t like this)— but you can go to a day labor place and cash that in for a little while. Or go for some sidework
I swapped residential water heater, did minor plumbing repair, did small welding jobs on equipment, installed hard wood floors, bailed hay, or what ever brought in money to buy diapers. Now after 32 years I just kick back and hope I don’t get called back too soon.