Thursday, July 4, 2024

End of a Job

If you find yourself looking for that next construction project, reach out to the CLAC Jobs Team

By Wayne Lodge, Local 63 member

For a lot of people, the end of a job probably means retirement. But for those of us in the construction industry, we’ll likely see a lot of completed projects before we ever get to retire. It doesn’t matter if you’re building highways, skyscrapers, pipelines, or gas plants, construction work usually means a rotation away from home and having to look for the next project every couple of months or sometimes years.

I’ve always enjoyed this type of work. You get to see the finished product you’ve been putting your sweat and elbow grease into. Hundreds, sometimes thousands, of coworkers come together for a common purpose. The change of scenery and new challenges of a new job or project can feel like a fresh start.

It can also provide an opportunity to be a part of some amazing, once-in-a-lifetime jobs that can impact people for generations. We’ve all seen the meme of the dad driving and pointing out all the projects he’s worked on.

Being part of a union can also provide a lot of benefits. Banking hours in your benefits plans (and the option to self-pay when your hour bank runs out) so you have continued benefits between jobs is a big one that adds security. My personal favourite is keeping the same retirement account as I work with three different companies in a year.

Speaking of money, ask anyone working these jobs, it’s a big part of the appeal.

But the end of a job isn’t always a celebration and can often feel bittersweet. Feelings can be hurt when you’re in the first round of layoffs or if you don’t realize it’s coming and aren’t ready to not have a paycheque coming next week.

The thought of having to hunt for another job can be overwhelming. Then you have coworkers who have become your friends that you may never see again. They’re people you’ve worked with side by side, had supper with at camp every night. They may be your new gym buddy who has become a real friend. Some people find their best friend or spouse on the job. But most often, these former coworkers are reduced to a Facebook friend you might call once in a while and reminisce about the amazing project you worked on together.

Whatever the reason you’re doing or considering this type of work, working in construction can be boom or bust sometimes. But if you let your work speak for you, you likely won’t be waiting long for the next job to come along.

If you find yourself looking for that next project, reach out to the CLAC Jobs Team to get your resume in the hands of the long list of CLAC-signatory companies looking to hire for the next project. If you know your end date is coming, reach out to them while you’re still working, and get the ball rolling. Like all CLAC staff, they’re here to assist you, and they’re great at it.

See you on the next one! And remember, We Are CLAC!

End of a Job

You might be interested in