Don’t think its “technically” considered professional advice (since I’m just looking for general info), but not sure where else to turn. I have been apart of the corporate world for a while, and even though I follow all the rules, my companies consistently find ways/loopholes to screw me over.

Are there any industries or careers that are kind of easy to get into with strong union protections?

When I say “easy” I understand there will be education involved, but I already have a degree and am scared to waste more money and time (for seemingly nothing) again.

I have no desire to get rich or anything, I’m just hoping to get ideas on what I can pivot my career to so I can support myself and my loved ones without worry of the rug being pulled out from under me again.

  • lousyd@lemmy.sdf.org
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    2 months ago

    I’ve heard they’ll take just about anyone willing to learn to be a train conductor and it’s supposed to pay well after a few years.

    • Thermite@lemmings.world
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      2 months ago

      Can agree. My friend went this route a couple decades back Has huge house and kids now. The kids are skinny, but he has a few

    • PM_Your_Nudes_Please@lemmy.world
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      2 months ago

      Warning: You basically get no time off. Even when you’re off, you’re expected to be on-call. And no, you’re not paid extra for that.

      With the rise of computers, railroad scheduling got precise. It eventually reached a point where railroad companies began cutting workers, because they were able to bounce one conductor from train to train the same way airlines bounce pilots from one flight to the next. They cut so many workers that it got to the point where a single sick person can bring the entire system to a screeching halt. Instead of actually keeping enough people on the roster to actually fill their needs, they just started implementing increasingly strict attendance policies, to the point that railroad workers have basically zero time off.

      This led to the 2022 strike, where railroad workers were eventually allowed one day of PTO per year. They’re either working or on call for the other 364 days.