My union is comprised of 57 companies there is no general HR only a union rep a business agent and an apprenticeship program with ridiculous rules (having work while classes are scheduled and losing a family member isn't an excused absence from class).One of the major general companies is notorious for hiring friends and family over more skilled labor. These are 19 and 20 year old children which they have even modified work days, as on the job PAID training days for them with journeymen workers .
Anytime we are out of work for long periods of time while there are multiple shows going on we are told to add our names to an out of work list.I got so fed up with relying on this once full time job now reduced to a meek 80 hrs a month ,that I called the union rep, turns out I was preaching to the choir as he is a direct product of nepotism once working for that company and he said that's just the way it goes here its a call by name system …wtf does that even mean ?
I have been SAd by a coworker before here, harassed by numerous others.I reported it with backlash,almost like I shouldve allowed it to happen because its a male dominated industry(they enforce a sexual harassment course and even give a raise to those journeymen who take it )and since then I have had rumors following me from company to company over 2 years later that I truly suspect may contribute to my lack of hours and of course income to pay my bills .I have since been afraid to report anything else like work conditions and have had other women tell me theyre being harassed by the ususal suspects even some asking me for advice.My outcome wasn't successful I can't even recommend anything .
I bust my ass come more prepared and knowledgeable than alot of people there to do the tasks required .My skill level is not what I'm being hired for ,it's solely based on character and what happened to me .I'm literally at a loss here what can be done ? There is another not so strict law against nepotism stating hiring based on family and friends not merit is illegal wondering if this holds grounds anywhere before I make a move on it and get completely blacklisted