I have a friend who's going through his electrical apprenticeship up here in Toronto with IBEW 353. He's a native Floridian who immigrated to Canada, with his parents, when he was in his teens. He's considering moving back once he has his license and is wondering what the unionized work situation is in Florida. I said I'd ask on here since someone always has an answer.
No other state has the number of massive power outages as Florida, that's for sure.
I don't know anything about unions but some of our closest friends here in Gainesville (FL) own one of the largest electrical contractors in the city. They are desperate for qualified electricians.
Will his Ontario license do him much good in Florida?
In reply to Peabody :
Fair question. I know that IBEW members cross the border to work on a regular basis. The NEC and CEC are basically the same.
I've only ever worked in the States as a representative of the consulting engineer firm I used to work for. The construction standards are really the same between our two countries.
IBEW Local 134 up in Chicago, but I travel from time to time.
As far as traveling for IBEW work goes, the border is far from "open" Canadian brothers haven't been allowed to sign the books in US locals even with a labor shortage. Most IBEW travelers from other US jurisdictions also won't work in Florida due to the incredibly low wage and benefit package.
Come to nj, the IBEW guys I work with make bank. Yes, even though I am IATSE, we still work with the IBEW guys.
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