Fuckstick on Instagram

[BHC Vic]

I think people lose sight of privately funded unions vs publicly funded unions. My plan was to be done at 49, but it appears that it will be 55 now. After that I plan on getting some other type of job to keep insurance coming in and a little extra money.

Me too. Hopefully cal pers. Welding instructor for Norco prison. Get that lifetime medical would be the perfect plan then people would really hate me

 

[Looking Glass]

lol Dave you’re 100% right being able to retire at 45 with a full pension that is privately funded is a horrible thing too funny put the beer down Dave it’s bed time. You probably don’t remember but weve talked about your finances

Money does NOT Guarantee a Long, Happy, and "HEALTHY" Life.


BUT!!

Contrary to Old Sayings, "You Can Take It With You" You just need to Trust someone to "Throw It In Your Casket"

 

[BingerFang]

lol Dave you’re 100% right being able to retire at 45 with a full pension that is privately funded is a horrible thing too funny put the beer down Dave it’s bed time. You probably don’t remember but weve talked about your finances

You would be of much more value if you were a trust fund baby.

 

[CLdrinker]

Here is my beef with the Union.

It’s “Brotherhood” we take care of our own is their big saying.

Well why is it every time a linemen gets hurt or killed ( a lineman died just last week) the first thing the Union does is put out a go fund me.

Why the fuck can’t any expenses be covered by your brotherhood paid union dues?

Well that would come out of the unions paycheck that’s why! Oh and that Union will have your spot filled the next day.

They could give literally 2 shits about their members. Your just a tool to pay dues do they can sit in their ass all day.

 

[69hondo]

Man you guys can fuck up a thread.

 

[BHC Vic]

Here is my beef with the Union.

It’s “Brotherhood” we take care of our own is their big saying.

Well why is it every time a linemen gets hurt or killed ( a lineman died just last week) the first thing the Union does is put out a go fund me.

Why the fuck can’t any expenses be covered by your brotherhood paid union dues?

Well that would come out of the unions paycheck that’s why! Oh and that Union will have your spot filled the next day.

They could give literally 2 shits about their members. Your just a tool to pay dues do they can sit in their ass all day.

There’s a death benefit in our union. Up to 40k I think? I would have to ask but it’s there for sure.

 

[NicPaus]

What’s your highest paid journeyman? Total package… hourly wage plus benefits. Vacation, retirement, medical, dental. Just curious as that adds real facts to the conversation.

I was not saying Union is underpaid. I was giving the non Union perspective. I work way more but the sky is the limit non Union small business owner Like Rick. If you have the Hustle mentality you can party all weekend and still make a lot of money by getting shit done. Rick is a good example. Not many with that mentality. Union is a perfect job for most. My Brother does great in the Union. He will retire when I probably never will. But he is maxed out on pay. I can work 100 days in a row when needed or work a few days a month when needed. Like I said I probably should of got the Union job when my brother did. But that doesn't fit my lifestyle and my Hustle mentality.

 

[CLdrinker]

There’s a death benefit in our union. Up to 40k I think? I would have to ask but it’s there for sure.

Only 40k.
My employer provides 4x salary to all employees.

 

[Bobby V]

There’s a death benefit in our union. Up to 40k I think? I would have to ask but it’s there for sure.

Our UNION has the same death benefit. No where near 40K though.

 

[Nordie]

I think our is like 4k, not enough to buy a casket.

 

[Flying_Lavey]

Ill add some unique perspective here.... I have worked exclusively for non-union open shop HVAC contractors for the past 18 years. During that time I have learned a TON. I know work for a VERY large union HVAC contractor. I am in the office but manage field personnel and the jobs. I can tell you, there is a large difference between the techs and installers that have an open shop background and a purely union education and background. The union training PALES in comparison to the real world education a non-union tradesman receives.

One unique thing about the HVAC trade is it involves so many other trades and skills. For example, our office has 3 different field unions. Hot side pipefitter, cold side pipe fitter, and sheetmetal workers. They do not crossover if purely union trained. Open shop guys will learn to do it all, and in many cases, can out perform in most disciplines.

This may be different for different trades and different areas. I can only speak to what I know and see.

A common misconception among union workers is pay = skill. That is the farthest thing from the truth.


All that said though, I wish I had a union like compensation structure when I started in the trade. I'd be MUCH better off financially now. Although I would not have NEARLY the varying experience and knowledge that I do and would not be anywhere near as marketable of or when needed during a downturn.

 

[bonesfab]

Just curious about unions.. So who pays for the union halls and fat cats that sit behind a desk all day at these union halls?? Almost like politicians in the real world. Pions paying out the as in dues(taxes) and getting pennies in return. The "i am union so I am better than you" mentality is what irks me. Unions had a place back before the government stepped up for the employees. But in typical fashion, most unions have outlived their usefullness. Just like the UAW on the last contract, they got them a raise and then got a whole lot more layed off. And now I hear BWM workers are wanting to bring in the union. Lets see how that works out for them. And all these people relying on pensions better pray they really are funded and secure as much as they have been promised. It will get ugly out there.

 

[BHC Vic]

Ill add some unique perspective here.... I have worked exclusively for non-union open shop HVAC contractors for the past 18 years. During that time I have learned a TON. I know work for a VERY large union HVAC contractor. I am in the office but manage field personnel and the jobs. I can tell you, there is a large difference between the techs and installers that have an open shop background and a purely union education and background. The union training PALES in comparison to the real world education a non-union tradesman receives.

One unique thing about the HVAC trade is it involves so many other trades and skills. For example, our office has 3 different field unions. Hot side pipefitter, cold side pipe fitter, and sheetmetal workers. They do not crossover if purely union trained. Open shop guys will learn to do it all, and in many cases, can out perform in most disciplines.

This may be different for different trades and different areas. I can only speak to what I know and see.

A common misconception among union workers is pay = skill. That is the farthest thing from the truth.


All that said though, I wish I had a union like compensation structure when I started in the trade. I'd be MUCH better off financially now. Although I would not have NEARLY the varying experience and knowledge that I do and would not be anywhere near as marketable of or when needed during a downturn.

I will agree with you there. Union guys typically are very specialized. I made my career mostly framing trick soffits. I can drywall with the best of them but my bread and butter was framing soffits, then later gfrg panels, and now I weld everyday. Tbar taping insulation things like that a non union guy will probably do all of it, union guys will usually just do one.

 

[BHC Vic]

Just curious about unions.. So who pays for the union halls and fat cats that sit behind a desk all day at these union halls?? Almost like politicians in the real world. Pions paying out the as in dues(taxes) and getting pennies in return. The "i am union so I am better than you" mentality is what irks me. Unions had a place back before the government stepped up for the employees. But in typical fashion, most unions have outlived their usefullness. Just like the UAW on the last contract, they got them a raise and then got a whole lot more layed off. And now I hear BWM workers are wanting to bring in the union. Let’s see how that works out for them. And all these people relying on pensions better pray they really are funded and secure as much as they have been promised. It will get ugly out there.

Our union is privately funded so that contractors pay. Our pension is 103% funded right now. Again I don’t want to bore everyone with specifics but that’s really really good. Our pension credits are at 200 a year right now up to 244 depending on hours worked. It’s probably going to go up. So is our annuity. Now the painters union, yes their pension fund is in big trouble

 

[BHC Vic]

Me for example. I work for the apprenticeship. Every hour a carpenter works 64 cents goes into that apprenticeship fund. That’s what pays for the buildings, my wages, the materials, etc. there’s 94,000 members. Our total package is around 90 bucks. That goes to different funds that operate the union.

 

[HullofaTime]

Ricky is a good man, don’t let Instagram fool you.

And in response to the “coke” comment, he only drinks, nothing else. That seems to be a common speculation towards anyone that can party and still get back to the hustle un-phased

 

[BHC Vic]

What irks me is most union guys go on disability. They collect from the government then go work non union. Cash, Double dipping. Extremely common. That irks me. Then when benefits run out, medical, or whatever they come back to the union.

 

[RiverDave]

lol Dave you’re 100% right being able to retire at 45 with a full pension that is privately funded is a horrible thing too funny put the beer down Dave it’s bed time. You probably don’t remember but weve talked about your finances

My finances are all over the board at any given time.. I’m not scared to take things down to the wire, because I know I can stack cash the following week.

As for the rest I don’t and have never needed anyone to negotiate what I’m worth. I have never understood the idea of it to be honest.

 

[NicPaus]

What irks me is most union guys go on disability. They collect from the government then go work non union. Cash, Double dipping. Extremely common. That irks me. Then when benefits run out, medical, or whatever they come back to the union.

Don't they pay into that? I know that's what just happened in the movie industry. Neighbor kid was out of work forever due to strikes. He said majority went on disability. Otherwise they would of lost there homes not working for so long. I don't think they were double dipping but doing whatever they could to survive. Some went and got jobs elsewhere.

 

[traquer]

The fuck direction you guys taking this thread in??

 

[RiverDave]

The fuck direction you guys taking this thread in??

Unions lol.

 

[BHC Vic]

Don't they pay into that? I know that's what just happened in the movie industry. Neighbor kid was out of work forever due to strikes. He said majority went on disability. Otherwise they would of lost there homes not working for so long. I don't think they were double dipping but doing whatever they could to survive. Some went and got jobs elsewhere.

Absolutely and if you get hurt and can’t work collect that money. But if you’re collecting 800 a week and going and making another 1000 because your not really disabled I think that’s bullshit and the opposite of legit. I know for a fact guys do it because I have messages that say that exact thing

 

[BHC Vic]

My finances are all over the board at any given time.. I’m not scared to take things down to the wire, because I know I can stack cash the following week.

As for the rest I don’t and have never needed anyone to negotiate what I’m worth. I have never understood the idea of it to be honest.

And that works for you. Honestly my goal is to retire and not have to worry about where money is coming from. Different strokes for different folks. I don’t want to hustle anymore at a certain age. Just want to enjoy what I’m working hard for now.

 

[Bobby V]

And that works for you. Honestly my goal is to retire and not have to worry about where money is coming from. Different strokes for different folks. I don’t want to hustle anymore at a certain age. Just want to enjoy what I’m working hard for now.

It’s been 10 months since I retired. It’s nice having 3 checks coming in every month and keeping my medical benefits and not having to go to work every day. I always thought I worked for the company first. Now the UNION is taking care of me.

 

[Looking Glass]

And that works for you. Honestly my goal is to retire and not have to worry about where money is coming from. Different strokes for different folks. I don’t want to hustle anymore at a certain age. Just want to enjoy what I’m working hard for now.

YOU, have no idea, "IF" all the money you have invested in the several places you mentioned will be there when you retire. You are Trusting people to do what they say that they are going to do for you.

Money in hand even only Guarantees that the DAMN MONEY is worth anything when you attempt to spend it.

Your Union Bosses, could up and Skip town with a "Piss Pot" full of money someday, and every one of you will be scratching your Head

Can't Happen? The "Crypto Guy" and "Bernie Madoff" "POOF"!! But They Promised Me.

 

[BHC Vic]

YOU, have no idea, "IF" all the money you have invested in the several places you mentioned will be there when you retire. You are Trusting people to do what they say that they are going to do for you.

Money in hand even only Guarantees that the DAMN MONEY is worth anything when you attempt to spend it.

Your Union Bosses, could up and Skip town with a "Piss Pot" full of money someday, and every one of you will be scratching your Head

Can't Happen? The "Crypto Guy" and "Bernie Madoff" "POOF"!! But They Promised Me.

Well, maybe. Im a delegate and know the trustees pretty well. Could it happen, absolutely… just not very likely. I don’t expect much out of social security. My annuity and 401k I guess could tank…Honestly all of us could wake up tomorrow and this shit could all be gone. That’s just life

 

[RiverDave]

And that works for you. Honestly my goal is to retire and not have to worry about where money is coming from. Different strokes for different folks. I don’t want to hustle anymore at a certain age. Just want to enjoy what I’m working hard for now.

From the original post I quoted it didn’t sound like ya ever wanted to hustle?

 

[BHC Vic]

From the original post I quoted it didn’t sound like ya ever wanted to hustle?

I still work 60 hours a week and umpire 2 games on Sunday. I’ve got more hustle than most but tell yourself whatever ya want.

 

[CLdrinker]

And that works for you. Honestly my goal is to retire and not have to worry about where money is coming from. Different strokes for different folks. I don’t want to hustle anymore at a certain age. Just want to enjoy what I’m working hard for now.

Same here. I just enjoy my non union freedoms and my employer 401k contribution is pretty damn good. Basically 12% of income.

 

[BHC Vic]

1800 hours is a full credit 2200 gets you the extra and early retirement. You’re right, no hustle at all I’m going it now so later I don’t have to.

 

[gqchris]

All I know is that after seeing the kind of money at Desert Storm, I realized Union or Not Union, I will never attain that level of success. Insane the amount of disposable income on display.

 

[Bigbore500r]

Yea but the union is on him now and they go hard. Sucks for union guys that get caught working for him because they’ll get brought up on charges and risk their pensions. Sometimes it’s better to be quiet and humble and make your money. You don’t need to tell the whole world

The union is on Fukstick? He's small commercial TI, that industry is saturated and mostly all non-union.
You might see union subs doing the work when its a buildout of a new facility, but the tenant space remodels he's doing - no way, your lucky if the workers even have hardhats or pants on. If Fukstick does union, he wont be in that market any longer

 

[Flying_Lavey]

1800 hours is a full credit 2200 gets you the extra and early retirement. You’re right, no hustle at all I’m going it now so later I don’t have to. View attachment 1366799

Does the vacation time not count towards your yearly hours count? And how much do you get a year? I'm just asking cause a typical 40 hr, 52 week a year job comes out to 2,080 hours. 1800 hours is a full 35 days (8 hour days) shy of a full year......

 

[LakeMeadLavey]

Amazes me how sideways some threads go? From "where is Fuckstick" to full on Union debate!! WTF?

I enjoy Fucksticks entertainment and have a ton of respect for his work ethic and hustle. Rare breed now days. Definitely have been missing his stories as well.

 

[BHC Vic]

The union is on Fukstick? He's small commercial TI, that industry is saturated and mostly all non-union.
You might see union subs doing the work when its a buildout of a new facility, but the tenant space remodels he's doing - no way, your lucky if the workers even have hardhats or pants on. If Fukstick does union, he wont be in that market any longer

If he were to keep on those little jobs they wouldn’t bother. I think he either landed a much bigger job or they found out too many union guys are working for him. I really don’t know. I could ask the reps but I have buddies that work for him and I honestly don’t want any attention on them. I stay out of that stuff, im on the training side. Like I said he’s fun to watch and have zero issues with him.

 

[BHC Vic]

Does the vacation time not count towards your yearly hours count? And how much do you get a year? I'm just asking cause a typical 40 hr, 52 week a year job comes out to 2,080 hours. 1800 hours is a full 35 days (8 hour days) shy of a full year......

I get paid vacation but the average journeyman does not. We are usually off 4th of July week, memorial week, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and new years. You can work, take vacation time, or just take non paid time off. I usually make around 150k a year give or take and that’s with I think 10% a week going to 401k. This year and last year I’ve taking a lot of Saturdays off to do baseball with the boys so 48 hour weeks instead of 56. Every once in a while I’ll take a Friday off because I’m traveling a lot and need to do stuff around the house.

I think I read you post wrong you were asking how much vacation a year. So average journeyman get vacation pay not time. I get around 14k a year most solid journeyman should get around 12k. It’s 5 dollars for every hour worked paid out in July and December

I also accrue time per hour worked some I’m on the training fund. I don’t really now how much I just know right now I have 140 hrs and you max out at 160 so right around the dam run I’ll be needing to take a week off.

 

[Bobby V]

Does the vacation time not count towards your yearly hours count? And how much do you get a year? I'm just asking cause a typical 40 hr, 52 week a year job comes out to 2,080 hours. 1800 hours is a full 35 days (8 hour days) shy of a full year......

In my trade. Almost all field guys don't get paid for vacation, holidays, sick days...They do have a small amount taken out for a vacation fund. But it doesn't count towards your hours worked. I think its 1700 hours for us to get a full pension credit. If you go over 1700 hours you can bank the hours and fill in the years you don't reach 1700 if there are any.

 

[Justsomeguy]

Absolutely and if you get hurt and can’t work collect that money. But if you’re collecting 800 a week and going and making another 1000 because your not really disabled I think that’s bullshit and the opposite of legit. I know for a fact guys do it because I have messages that say that exact thing

Oh it definitely happens. I saved such a fella not long ago. He had to pay back pennies on the dollar. Which didn't come directly out of his pocket.

 

[hallett21]

This thread has it all lol.

Funny to see the different perspectives/definitions of “value” “hustle” “working hard” etc.

 

[DMF]

The union is on Fukstick? He's small commercial TI, that industry is saturated and mostly all non-union.
You might see union subs doing the work when its a buildout of a new facility, but the tenant space remodels he's doing - no way, your lucky if the workers even have hardhats or pants on. If Fukstick does union, he wont be in that market any longer

100% correct. He does retail and there is no way union contractors can compete on those projects!

 

[Flying_Lavey]

I get paid vacation but the average journeyman does not. We are usually off 4th of July week, memorial week, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and new years. You can work, take vacation time, or just take non paid time off. I usually make around 150k a year give or take and that’s with I think 10% a week going to 401k. This year and last year I’ve taking a lot of Saturdays off to do baseball with the boys so 48 hour weeks instead of 56. Every once in a while I’ll take a Friday off because I’m traveling a lot and need to do stuff around the house.

I think I read you post wrong you were asking how much vacation a year. So average journeyman get vacation pay not time. I get around 14k a year most solid journeyman should get around 12k. It’s 5 dollars for every hour worked paid out in July and December

I also accrue time per hour worked some I’m on the training fund. I don’t really now how much I just know right now I have 140 hrs and you max out at 160 so right around the dam run I’ll be needing to take a week off.

In my trade. Almost all field guys don't get paid for vacation, holidays, sick days...They do have a small amount taken out for a vacation fund. But it doesn't count towards your hours worked. I think its 1700 hours for us to get a full pension credit. If you go over 1700 hours you can bank the hours and fill in the years you don't reach 1700 if there are any.

I have been told that is how it is with the HVAC unions also. No "paid days" off, but instead essentially an allowance for the holidays. I see the pros and cons to each way really.

What I find more interesting is the amount of hours needed for full pension credit and how that is interpreted as a measuring stick for a lot of work. 1700 and 1800 hours in a calendar year is not a lot of work. Its 32.5 and 34.6 hours a week average respectively. I wish I had record of my hours when I was a tech doing commercial refrigeration. I averaged about 55 hours a week, and i was on the lower side in the company. Since going into the office I am definitely over the 40 hrs/week average. I guess I'm still working harder than I thought compared to that yard stick of a lot of work.

 

[HBCraig]

I sell cranes for a living, big and small. To union and non union outfits. I am very blessed to sell a premium product that is highly sought-after
I can't be biased to either one but respect both. Both sides do well. Very well. The amount of money I see these guys making is nuts. A few of the large crawler operators in local 12 here in SoCal are making North of 200k annually. I can't tell you they all hustle and get after it.

 

[Bobby V]

I have been told that is how it is with the HVAC unions also. No "paid days" off, but instead essentially an allowance for the holidays. I see the pros and cons to each way really.

What I find more interesting is the amount of hours needed for full pension credit and how that is interpreted as a measuring stick for a lot of work. 1700 and 1800 hours in a calendar year is not a lot of work. Its 32.5 and 34.6 hours a week average respectively. I wish I had record of my hours when I was a tech doing commercial refrigeration. I averaged about 55 hours a week, and i was on the lower side in the company. Since going into the office I am definitely over the 40 hrs/week average. I guess I'm still working harder than I thought compared to that yard stick of a lot of work.

If you back out 7 holidays, vacation time, sick days and days off. 1700 hours is about normal for a full credit. Some guys don't work the OT to get more hours. I only had 2 gap years in 41 years. One year was when I first got in the union in Feb 1982 and 2011 when we were on 32 hour work weeks during the slow time. My banked hours filled in the gap years to a full credit.

 

[NicPaus]

On the radio this morning on the way to Huntington Beach job. They said it takes $280K to live comfortably in So Cal and $613K to live well off.

$180K a year is scraping by unless you are dual income or bought your House 15+ years ago.

 

[BHC Vic]

I have been told that is how it is with the HVAC unions also. No "paid days" off, but instead essentially an allowance for the holidays. I see the pros and cons to each way really.

What I find more interesting is the amount of hours needed for full pension credit and how that is interpreted as a measuring stick for a lot of work. 1700 and 1800 hours in a calendar year is not a lot of work. Its 32.5 and 34.6 hours a week average respectively. I wish I had record of my hours when I was a tech doing commercial refrigeration. I averaged about 55 hours a week, and i was on the lower side in the company. Since going into the office I am definitely over the 40 hrs/week average. I guess I'm still working harder than I thought compared to that yard stick of a lot of work.

Most field guys don’t 40 every week. There’s down time. My brother for example is a foreman for sharpe. He’s been off 2 weeks because they are slow. He also took a week off to go to Mexico. And a week in mammoth. That adds up quick. He may not hit the 1800 if work doesn’t pick up fast

 

[Flying_Lavey]

If you back out 7 holidays, vacation time, sick days and days off. 1700 hours is about normal for a full credit. Some guys don't work the OT to get more hours. I only had 2 gap years in 41 years. One year was when I first got in the union in Feb 1982 and 2011 when we were on 32 hour work weeks during the slow time. My banked hours filled in the gap years to a full credit.

1700 hours is a full 48 8-hour days shy of a full time, full year of work (40 hours x 52 weeks). If you take out the 7 holidays and 2 weeks of vacation (10 working days), you are still left at 1,944. an additional MONTH of time. 1700 hours isn't even 10 moths of fulltime work......

 

[mjc]

I dunno… ol fuckstick learned everything in the union says so right on his insta. I’m not gonna go back and forth there’s a reason union guys get top dollar and non union guys don’t. There’s a reason prevailing wage exists. People can work wherever they want I couldn’t care less. Everyone has choices to make in life. When I retire in 10 years at 45 with a full pension I’m sure I’ll be regretting my choice to go union. 6 years making a great living sitting in a classroom. Yea the union sucks

Prevailing wage is the government getting involved in something the union got there paid off politicians to back for them. otherwise it wouldn't exist.

 

[ChrisV]

So who is Fuckstick bangin now?

 

[Flying_Lavey]

Most field guys don’t 40 every week. There’s down time. My brother for example is a foreman for sharpe. He’s been off 2 weeks because they are slow. He also took a week off to go to Mexico. And a week in mammoth. That adds up quick. He may not hit the 1800 if work doesn’t pick up fast

Vic, you and I have had discussions before about your fantastic work ethic in both professional and personal life so you know what I am saying has no reflection on you.

My point in all the hours discussion is the pension credit benchmark is a pretty low mark for a lot of work or hustling. In reality a 2000 hr/yr mark is much more appropriate for that yard stick.

 

[Bobby V]

1700 hours is a full 48 8-hour days shy of a full time, full year of work (40 hours x 52 weeks). If you take out the 7 holidays and 2 weeks of vacation (10 working days), you are still left at 1,944. an additional MONTH of time. 1700 hours isn't even 10 moths of fulltime work......

I see you didn't deduct any sick time or time off for slow periods. Some guys will take the day before and day after a holiday weekend. Remember construction jobs don't guaranty anybody 40 hours a week. My trade has used the 1700 hours as a base since long before I started in 1982. It seems to work for our trade.