Take this job or stay w/ union?

I've just been offered a job with a heavy equipment hauling company. Starting at $22/hr, after 90 days I go to $23/hr w/ health benefits at no cost to me. After a year, I should be at $25/hr. Work schedule can vary, with start times some mornings being 4-5am, others 9-10am. OT after 40. There is an on-call rotation 1 week a month, with 1st month being primary, 2nd month being secondary. On-call jobs are double-time. They also offer a IRA w/match.

My dilemma is that I'm currently in the plumbers union as a 1st yr apprentice but have now been laid off for 10 wks (hence me looking elsewhere for employment). Once I make journeyman (5 to 6 yrs from now), I'll be clearing roughly $1200/wk with about an add'l $300/wk being kicked into an annuity at no cost to me. Plus a pension ($.045 per hour worked). Theres also health benefits but I have to work a minimum of 300hrs every 6mos to keep benefits going (so if I'm laid off for a long period, benefits get shut off).

I'm just wondering what path you guys would take? Does this heavy haul gig sound legit? What do you think my future earning potential could be in this line of work? Or should I stay with the union (and the lay-offs and politics that go with it). Honestly, the heavy haul gig sounds like a good deal to me. And I'd like to purchase an investment property within the next year so this job would help me achieve that as well.

 

I don't know much about how a plumber's union works. They have to have work scheduled right?

 

I think you already know what's best for you; dump the union job.
Start your own retirement plan through a credit union and buying rental property.

 

Dude a 5 yr journeyman plumber/fitter makes 100k for a 40hr week with a pension around here.

 

Thanks, Chinatown. My main worry is retirement. I want to have my feet kicked up by the time I'm in my early 60s (roughly 25yrs from now). I think rental properties will help me achieve that.

 

Its the same here, too. You gross $2k a week as a journeyman, but after taxes, work assessment, dues, etc, you take home $1200. If had a hauling gig at $30/hr putting in 50hrs a week w/ OT after 40, I'm grossing $1650 and most likely netting $1100-1200 after taxes and investment account contributions.

Politics and lay-offs are the 2 big things to worry about with unions. This other gig, not so much.

 

Work schedule is usually 7-3:30 m-f. All depends on the job though. You could do nights and weekends, too. Generally speaking though, its 7:30-3 m-f.

 

Rental property is a great way to make money in retirement.
Buy the rentals and let a management company take care of it for a small fee. The management company collects the rent, takes care of repairs, vets the renters before agreeing to let them rent your property. This way you can concentrate on your trucking job and just check bank statements every month.
"To vet someone means to run a background check on them. Vetting someone allows you to gain information on a person."

 

I'm looking at a triplex or quadplex. Then a couple yrs down the road, pick up another one. Have em paid off by the time I'm 60 then kick back and relax.

 

Which state do you live in?
Years ago when I was in the Navy, a friend of mine had 5 rentals and another had 40 rentals.
They were both enlisted sailors, not officers. I remember thinking, "Dang, and here I am living paycheck to paycheck."