Anyone (or anyone's SO) work for LIRR?

DH has an interview there today. I'm not thrilled with it because he already has a great career and EXTREME job security.

He keeps assuring me that he has better job security and better benefits if he were to get the job with the LIRR (even though it's a paycut )

I didn't know whether to post this on careers, relationships, health....

I'm curious about the health insurance benefits- who is the provider?

Is the job really as secure as he says it is?

He says there are tons of opportunities for advancement- is this true?

It's making me anxious that he's doing this...but at the same time, I want him to be happy.

Re: Anyone (or anyone's SO) work for LIRR?

Holy Cow! Rob and Will are living parallel lives.

Rob also has an interview with LIRR on Monday.

The start pay is less than HALF (literally) what the union wage for a journeyman is so it is a massive pay cut to start. And - from what I understand - he will almost be required to work weekends initially.

I am very nervous about it and I would really prefer he stay put with Local 25. He would prefer that too - but my husband has been out of work since June with no job in sight and his unemployment is about to run out. PLUS his medical benefits through the union are now cut because he hasn't accumulated enough hours to keep them. We have 2 little boys .. we can't afford to wait for the union to decide to call him.

Anyway - I guess I'm driving at the fact that I think Job security is probably much better with the LIRR so even though it will be a hit to the wallet we are praying he gets in. I think the same would hold true for Will as well - the union's security is ONLY good while you are an apprentice - once he turns out the picture is definitely not as pretty.

ALSO - apparently there is a 45 day rule with the Union. So even IF Rob gets a job again - he's only guaranteed 45 days of work!!! That wouldn't be enough to get unemployment!

Good luck!

Message edited 3/5/2009 9:14:53 AM.

Re: Anyone (or anyone's SO) work for LIRR?

DH's best friend and his ENTIRE family works for the LIRR.

He makes a VERY good salary and def has job security. There is also plenty of opportunites for advancement there.

Good luck on his interview!

Re: Anyone (or anyone's SO) work for LIRR?

my father retired from the lirr. The benefits are great always had medical, dental,vision the whole shabang. the job security depending on what position he is going for he will have to probably take lots of tests. but after you pass them your job security is good. and the pay is really base pay. the rates that they get for holiday and overtime is incentive for them to work them. i remember my father working on christmas to get triple time. you cant turn that down.

Re: Anyone (or anyone's SO) work for LIRR?

I come from an LIRR family and my Dad is about to retire from there. It is an excellent career. Initially, you don't get full pay for a lot of positions and you have to work tons and tons of overtime and probably a crummy shift. I remember growing up my Dad was ALWAYS at work. But you get double time, triple time, etc so it's def worth it.

Their raises are kind of crummy. I think different departments have different unions, so what holds true for my family may not hold true for others.

The insurance is good. My Dad's is Empire. He has co-pays, but they're fairly standard.

The pension is phenomenal. My Dad says it's not as good for the new guys as it is for his generation, but it's still great. After my grandfather died, my grandmother received his pension and it helped alot. Pension only goes to the wife, not the kids. Because my Dad is not married, when he dies my sister and I can not get his pension.

Just a fair warning, depending on the position your DH is going on, the physical labor can be insane. Bad backs, knees, etc are the norm.

Oh, and the job security is there. The interview process is long and hard. There are tests to take.

Feel free to FM with any questions.

Re: Anyone (or anyone's SO) work for LIRR?

DH is from an LIRR family; he's been there for 8 years, and his father & uncle retired from it. What others have said is true, starting pay isn't so great, but it definitely gets better. There is opportunity for advancement, but depending on the department, it may take time. There's definitely OT, but again, goes in seniority order. My DH always got it, though, even when he was pretty junior.

The benefits are excellent. We have Empire Plan, too, and don't pay anything towards it. It really provides excellent coverage, and includes medical, dental & vision.

A lot of things are specific to the department or union your DH will be in though; everything is not uniform across the board. If you have any questions, feel free to FM.

Re: Anyone (or anyone's SO) work for LIRR?

My dad worked for the LIRR, he is now retired and living very well..he had great benefits and job security..hth

Re: Anyone (or anyone's SO) work for LIRR?

Both my dad and my DH work(ed) did.

My DH was a contractor when I met him but due to a change in circumstances, he ended up taking a job with the LIRR. I was NOT PLEASED at all! He now makes 1/4 of what he was making so it was a tremendous pay cut.

However, by the time he gets to full pay he will be making decent money. He's been with them for 3 years and by 5 years he will be into 6 figures (inclusive of OT and advancement raises).

There is a lot of room for advancement and a lot of opportunity for OT. The benefits are great...as a family you will have medical, dental and vision. He will have both a pension and a 401K. Plenty of vacation and sick days as well.

My DH works in construction so his hours are M-F, 8-4. My dad was an engineer so his hours were always all over the place. Engineers make more money than my DH does but the hours are way better then my dad's ever were. My dad is now retired, sitting pretty. My parents travel every other month and are living a great life.

I know that my 401K will not be enough to retire on but I know that when it comes time for DH to retire, we'll be set and I'll be able to retire with him.

I know it's very scary but in the end it's worth it. If you have any questions, FM me.

Re: Anyone (or anyone's SO) work for LIRR?

Thank you for all your responses.

I will be sure to FM some of you if I have anyother questions.

Re: Anyone (or anyone's SO) work for LIRR?

My DH is an engineer for the LIRR.

His insurance is Empire, co-pay is $18, about to go up to $20. But we never need a referral for any doctor's, including DD's. And she has been to a few specialists.

As far as job security, I'm not worried. He is pretty secure in his position. And he is happy working for them.

Good Luck to your DH's on their interviews.

FM me with anymore questions.

Re: Anyone (or anyone's SO) work for LIRR?

LIRR is a great co to work for. insurance is empire and you can work overtime