A good Brother in Dispatch once told me, "I will give you the information I have. I will hear your concerns. I will help you with your grievances. I WILL NOT hold your hand. You will need to be a Proud Wireman in your own right."

Why Sitting for a Contractor Undermines Us All

Our book system exists for one reason: to ensure every member has the opportunity to provide for their family. When someone chooses to “sit” for a contractor, they sidestep this system—blocking the next person on the books from bidding on a job call. You take the job before it even hits the books, returning to work while the hall hasn’t had a chance to dispatch the next member. So how does the next member get a fair shot?

Sitting doesn’t just hurt other members—it hurts you. You're missing out on the wages, benefits, and fringes you could potentially earn. While you collect unemployment, someone else is out there waiting to secure wages and benefits. Don’t fall for the promise that it’s “just a couple of weeks.” Four months later, you could be facing denied insurance claims and wondering what went wrong.