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| ApprenticeshipUSA.com |
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| Frequently Asked Questions |
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| In some
cases, it may be advantageous to be a minority, as unions try to maintain
quotas established by government based equal opportunity regulations
regarding job training and hiring practices. There are many
government and community based agencies throughout the nation which offer
career counseling and minority recruitment
services. 7. What types of occupations does one find in the industry? The construction industry employs a wide variety of essential personnel, such as: ARCHITECTS ENGINEERS (Mechanical, Electrical, Structural & Civil) ESTIMATORS DETAILERS BUILDING INSPECTORS LABORERS and of course: CRAFTWORKERS This publication concerns itself with the kinds of occupations performed by union craftworkers in the building construction industry. 8. What is a craftworker? A craftworker is a person who possesses a high level of experience and proficiency in a particular trade. 9. What types of trades are found in the industry? There are many trades involved in building construction; The most important of which, are classified as follows: STRUCTURAL: Operating Engineers, Carpenters, Cement Masons and Ironworkers. MECHANICAL: Plumbers, Pipe Fitters, Sheet Metal Workers, Elevator Constructors, Boilermakers and Electricians. ARCHITECTURAL/FINISH: Glaziers, Roofers, Finish Carpenters, Cabinet Makers, Carpet Layers, Painters, Insulators, Plasterers, Dry Wallers, Tile Setters and Stone Masons. Craftworkers are also referred to as craftsmen or tradesmen. Many craftworkers in the United States and Canada are represented by Craft Unions. THE CRAFT UNIONS 10. What is a craft union? A craft union is a labor organization which represents skilled workers, as opposed to an industrial union which represents unskilled or semi-skilled workers. Many craft unions and industrial unions are affiliated with the AFL-CIO (American Federation of Labor & Congress of Industrial Organizations). In many cases, a craft (or trade) is represented by its own union. For example, electricians are represented by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), and sheet metal workers are represented by the Sheet Metal Workers International Association (SMWIA). Many unions maintain a national headquarters, and are usually represented at the local level by a branch office called a local. |
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