If I wanted to join the IBEW in Chicago, I'd need to be the Mayor's cousin's son. It's ironic that the very people we need to be bringing into these skilled-trade jobs aren't brought in because they don't have connections.
One thing I've never understood (and I'm not blaming them) is the unions' reticence to bring people into apprenticeship programs.
Because it takes away the overtime for the rank and file and keeps the company dependent on them.