IVP Lister: No better time to become a Mechanical Insulator
Insulators International Staff — Wed, Feb 15, 2023 @ 09:02 AM
Insulators Union International Vice President James R. Lister joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast and explained why there is no better time to become a Mechanical Insulator.
Lister represents the New York/New England States Conference. He was elected International Vice President in 2022. During his AWF Union Podcast appearance on Feb. 14, Lister spoke about his background, plus the work outlook within the New York/New England States Conference.
Current work outlook outstanding in union-friendly New York, New England area
Lister told the AWF listeners about some of the significant mega-projects currently underway and others set to break ground shortly, such as the Micron Technology semiconductor plant project in upper New York and a lithium battery recycling plant elsewhere in the state. In his home city of Boston, Lister said construction is booming, as Local 6 currently has travelers working in their territory on various jobs.
All of the upcoming mega projects are the direct result of legislation signed by President Joe Biden, the most pro-union President in recent memory, he said.
Now is the time to become a Mechanical Insulator
With a great work outlook throughout the conference, Lister feels that now is the time to become a member of the Insulators Union. He said all the Locals in his conference are looking for more apprentices. The Locals are also looking to organize non-union Insulators as well.
He then discussed some of the many benefits of joining the Mechanical Insulators Union. First and foremost are the excellent benefits, especially the great health insurance. The pay is great too, he added. In total, the entire compensation benefits package is an excellent reason why people should consider a career with the Insulators Union.
Besides compensation, Lister discussed the world-class training members of the Insulators Union receive, which makes them the best-trained mechanical insulation workforce in North America.
Non-union Insulators who want to join an affiliated Local Union will undergo a test to determine if their skillset is at journeyman level. If they do not have the full journeyman skillset, they will be placed in the apprenticeship program according to where their skills are in the union’s standardized training curriculum.