As some may know, last May I got a job in shipping/receiving department at a place that rebuilds locomotives. That position lasted all of 3 weeks' before I was sent to Duluth Minnesota to help fix a locomotive. I then came back to get "moved" into the electrical department at my request. In Septmeber they agreed to give me my apprenticeship as an Industrial Electrician, Then in late October my contract with the placement agency was done and they hired me an employee. Last week I put in my request for a raise and today I got my answer that they approved it. I went from being a Generalist getting 17,90$ to a Mechanic B at 20,90$. Now with the union contract we get a 0,70$ raise each year, but this is a raise you have to request and if they agree they give you the 3$ raise.

I know one person has been there fro over a year and a half and just got his raise, and it hasn't even been a year for me and I got it.


What a difference from a the summer of 2006 when I went to WCBF and quit my job a couple weeks after returning.

Funny how life goes. Once I got that break to get into this company I have been moving in the right direction with not only career but personal life is great having met Crystal.

Some members have even met her as in Jim W and Angela, plus we drove down to Niagara falls and went to visit Singscountry1967 and I believe bandit also.

Cool thats a decent raise and great pay rate.

You've sure come a long way Baby! I'm so proud of you...it'* like your one of my kids who did good...only your too old to be my kid. Lol... But I'll still duck tape your mouth if we go on a trip cross country together again! Lol

Hugs and kisses to you and Crystal!

That'* fantastic Mike
Tradesmen rate around here is about $28 per hour.

If you could get a techical degree that rate would jump to about $50 per hour and if you could get a degree about $100 per hour.
You can figure the payback.

It'* incredible the opportunities that are available right now.

Well I could try to get into the mines around here and get around 30$ an hour but I am just starting out in my apprenticeship and have 4 years to go. I like my job, I work on locomotives all day, I am 10 mins from home, work Mon-Fri from 7-3:30, weekends off, you get the point. Whereas the mines would be shift work and it would be a minimum 30 min drive.

If I would have gone through the electrical union to get my apprenticeship I would be getting around 13$ an hour, so I can't complain at all.

sounds like a sweet deal to me! congrats and good luck in the future

p.*. next time that you come to duluth you better hit me up!

Good for you Mike, glad to hear its going your way

Your wise to stay out of the mines untill after you get your ticket, I got my electrical trade in a gold mine. Good experience but a tough life.

About time you got a break. That'* almost beer money.

That'* wonderful news, Mike. It is amazing the journey your life has taken since the summer of '06.

Grats!! Sure beats banging your head on the wall
I hated that avatar after a while.