Scott,
I want a website like this. It is needed and it is time. If not you then someone else will.
I am a member of this site, but the original intent of my article was to get NEIEP to create a website so members could access it and know that only other union constructors would be reading. Yes, I am concerned about non-union and others accessing information it has taken years of training to accumulate. The IUEC has spent years building an education program that gives each of us a marketable skill and I do not want to educate the non-union people to compete against me. Why would they ever consider joining the IUEC if they can find a fix whenever they are stumped? For over a hundred years IUEC constructors have been paying dues (money, blood, sweat, and tears) to gain the information this site would freely dispense to all. The NEIEP website already has security measures in place and I thought it would be a natural but they felt otherwise.
The other issue is internet is still in its infancy and the more it is used the more people will seek out information, so again yes in time there will be some owners, bldg maintenance, whoever that will log in and attempt something that without training will get them or someone else hurt. As others read this journal article, I would guess there will be many more union elevator constructors checking out this site. I know when someone finds a good thing the guys I work with can�t wait to tell the next guy where to check it out.
You have the opportunity, dare I say, the responsibility to do it right. Safeguards could be put into place to protect trade secrets. Possibly a tiered system, where the top tier would be Union craftsmen and a second tier for all others, that could answer the basic questions, direct them to a qualified company or in the case of non-union they could be directed to their closest local. Checking out the initial membership would be burdensome but I feel it would be worth it to protect our trade. I would like to contribute to that kind of system.
By the way thanks for reading my original article, it�s nice to know someone is.
Thanks,
Jim
