Thread by @hahnscratch

My union knows I’m out of work because of my recent heart surgery. I got this in the mail today, just to help out because they know I need it. Two thousand dollars. #UnionStrong #ibew

I didn’t ask for or apply for assistance. Our executive board literally voted to help me while I was still in the hospital. I’m truly grateful, particularly because some help is needed but I likely wouldn’t have asked for it.

I should point out that in addition to standard disability from the state, the union will also provide $1000/mo in additional disability, will freeze my healthcare premiums, and will freeze my union dues. They try to minimize as many expenses as possible while I’m out.

In other words, so long as I am disabled, the union will pay healthcare premiums on my behalf. Imagine a world in which people’s healthcare is free while they’re sick.

Since there’s a few curmudgeons out there, let me clarify that this is NOT a special case scenario. Helping people who are out of work because of disability or family hardship is the norm in my local @IBEW 617. We always take care of our members.

Because its coming up elsewhere in the comments, here is the standard wage in my local. Journeyman wireman make $140k / yr take-home, $225k / yr total negotiated wage (assuming 2000 hrs per yr). Union dues are 3.5% of the $70 / hr wage. I pay dues in order to make good money.

https://twitter.com/hahnscratch/status/1446909251314610178

We just negotiated a new contract this year. We are receiving an $18/hr raise over the next 3 years. Good luck negotiating that sort of raise without a union. I happily pay my dues.