Iowa Operating Engineers Local 234

ORGANIZATION

Local 234 is affiliated with the International Union of Operating Engineers, which was organized on December 7, 1896. The Apprenticeship Program has been in existence for 25 years. Local 234 is located in Des Moines and represents twelve hundred Registered Journeypersons. The mission of the union is to improve the quality of work and benefits afforded members.

NATURE OF TRADE

Operating Engineers operate and maintain almost all of the engine-powered machines and equipment used in the construction industry. This consists of highways, dams, roads, buildings, and various other projects. They also operate bulldozers, cranes, loaders, scrapers and other related heavy equipment to move earth, drive piling, pour concrete and place steel.

Operating Engineers function in at least four areas of specialization, all which require special training and experience.

Heavy Duty Repairers maintain and repair equipment. Their function is to keep all the equipment in operating condition. They must develop a technical know-how so that they can determine the causes of mechanical failures and be able to eliminate these problems.

Grading & Paving Equipment Operators work with their equipment on streets, highways, and on job sites. They operate scrapers, bulldozers, tractors, pumps, pavers, compressors, forklifts, rollers, spreaders, trenching machines and concrete mixers.

Plant Equipment Operator runs the equipment which prepares materials used on the job. These include asphalt plants, concrete batch and mixing plants, crushing, screening and washing plants and material loading. The operators must be able to maintain and repair these same plants. This means being capable of welding, cutting and burning and having a knowledge of the materials their machines produce.

Universal Equipment Operator works with each of the other job categories on buildings, plants, housing projects, bridges, roads and streets. They operate large and small cranes, hoists and derricks, pile-driving equipment, shovels, clam shells, backhoes and other bucket-type equipment as well as front-end loaders.

APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING

An Operating Engineer apprentice is not indentured to an employer, but is under the direct charge of the Joint Apprenticeship Committee. During their apprenticeship, they are required to keep written records of their work and progress and report monthly. The three-year apprentice program consists of 6,000 hours of on-the-job training.

Also during this time, apprentices are required to attend classroom instruction and off the job training at least 144 hours each year.

The apprentice receives a graduated wage rate during their term of training, beginning at 60°/o of Journeyperson's wages during the first year.

QUALIFCATIONS

In order to meet the minimum requirements, an applicant must meet the following:

· Must be at least 18 years of age

· Must have completed high school or have a GED certificate

· Must be an American citizen or in the process of becoming a citizen.

· Must be a resident of the area covered by this apprenticeship program.

· Must have a valid drivers license with the knowledge that they may eventually be required to obtain a Commercial Driver's License.

APPLICATION, SEI ECTION AND HIRING PROCESS

The actual selection and supervision of the apprenticeship program is conducted by members of the Joint Apprenticeship Committee. After submitting an application and completing all the requirements of the application process, your name will be put on the list according to your qualifications and score. The Joint Apprenticeship Committee has the responsibility of placing applicants as job openings occur.