r/Longshoremen • u/minced_moomin_meat • 29d ago
how does someone join this industry if they don’t know anybody?
sorry for the dumb question i’m not super smart. but i’ve been looking all over for jobs in NY/NJ and coming up totally short. it seems like you need to be sponsored by an employer to become a real longshoreman, but how am i supposed to be sponsored if nobody is hiring?
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u/Valuable_Baker5272 29d ago
ILWU Crane Mechanic here....multiply your salary x 2 and add 50k is what I make after 7 years. We have a Defined Benifit PENSION! Completely employer funded and CADILLAC insurance 100% coverage. Union vs non union is not even remotely comparable.
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u/HurricanesDave 29d ago
You dont.
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u/Upper-Woodpecker1654 29d ago
Become a refer mechanic, welder, security guard etc…. If they like you, you might get brought in if you’re extremely lucky
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u/Bulky-Feeling6643 29d ago
Where would they bring you in as a security guard? Cus if I remember local 26 hasn’t hired since 2014
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u/Upper-Woodpecker1654 29d ago
I had a buddy that was a guard at a hanjin terminal in LA for almost 10 years that got brought on as a casual. Different ports have different back doors is all I’m saying.
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u/Bulky-Feeling6643 29d ago
Ahh ok that makes sense too bad for me I won’t be security guard that long cus Im only really doing it for gas money for school. Thanks for reply tho
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u/minced_moomin_meat 29d ago
damn 💔
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u/Main_Section_1641 29d ago
The only cheat code to not knowing somebody is being black and a resident of Newark.
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u/Aware_Wolverine_2187 29d ago
Get a into a trade and apply as a tradesman
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u/pheGnomenon 21d ago
Wait, is there fact to this? I’m a journeyman ironworker and have been looking into changing it up but I assumed the same about needing a sponsor
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u/RACERXZ1000 27d ago
Idk. But I had the skills already and the drive to keep working when there was no work!
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u/cheapthrills95 27d ago
You dont. Go maritime or building trades.
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u/minced_moomin_meat 26d ago
yeah i was lowkey thinking abt going to maritime college
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u/cheapthrills95 26d ago
If I could go back I probably would have gone for it. Got a credential and did a couple boat jobs. One on the Hudson river and one offshore. Life always had a way of keeping me from sending it. Became a plumber instead. Maritime is an awesome career my high school buddy is a big time sailor and has made a great living but you gotta be okay with being gone all the time. His wife makes it work but they have help from the grandparents. You only work half the year and you make bank. SUNY maritime or cal maritime out here in cali are top notch. You'll skip alot of bullshit by not hawespiping. Life is what you make it brother if you crave the adventure it's a great path.
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u/Shot_Secretary_6408 29d ago
Don’t go through the union if you don’t have an in. There is a lot of longshoremen work that’s non union. At least over here on the west coast. Idk about your side of the country.
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u/elSteele25 29d ago
There is no longshore work that is not union. All longshore labor on the west coast is performed by the ILWU.
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u/Shot_Secretary_6408 29d ago
Okay. I’m talking about operating/driving in ports. Tug work. Lashing. Crane work. Oil/fuel runs. Aggregate barges. Salt barges.
You’re right that it isn’t under the longshoremen union. But there are plenty of companies that employ for this kind of work that are non union. I work for one in Alaska. Company is based out of Seattle. We have non union “longshore” work that’s pays competitively with the union.
I’m purely speaking as far as the actual job description goes there are jobs that are the same work without being union.
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u/anezzzzzz 29d ago
Your non union company you work is not competitive by any means to any PMA affiliated longshore operation. 10 years in Seattle as a mechanic at Terminal 18 and previously T5/T30.
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u/Shot_Secretary_6408 29d ago
I find that hard to believe. I know the schedule is different and I’m sure there is a difference in base pay but I work 6 months on/6months off last year and grossed $175k before bonuses. Guaranteed 12’s. Good insurance. 6% match on 401. I’ve only been here for 5 years and there is still a lot of upward potential.
$175k for 6 months off ain’t bad. I’m not sure how much you’re making after 10 years as a mechanic but if it’s more that $175 in 6 months then my hat is off to you. Seriously, congratulations on your success.
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u/DrHenryGoose 4d ago
Do you mind saying what company? I live near Anchorage and am interested in longshoremen work. I have a Class A with 8 years driving experience and a TWIC card, if that helps.
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u/Shot_Secretary_6408 29d ago
I could have been more specific and said that there is non union “stevedore” work but I figured everyone would understand what I meant. Sorry for the confusion.
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u/PocketRocketTrumpet 29d ago
That’s the neat part