I think I want do do premise work again. I am a non-at-risk employee in a surplussed work group. I have 19 years. Want to get back in the field.
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I reviewed these posts... Not me Ray G...
@X0xATPb-rep : Yes, the OP needs to know this. I think he thinking of the CST installer position that existed before 2007. That job has been replaced with the Premises Technician title and it is a different animal altogether. Even a cursory internet search for "AT&T prem Tech" will yield enough information for any reasonable person to avoid this position. The OP said they were in surplussed work group, if you are surplussed the by all means take the Prem Tech job if that is all that is offered. Do not volunteer for it.
Anyone here, a Prem Tech in Arnold, Missouri? Or anywhere in the St. Louis area? If so, how are you treated?
-qee: The OP must be confusing Prem Tech with a core i&R position. The Prem Tech position is an entirely different beast.
It's basically modern day wage slavery. Prems are micromanaged and abused by complete id--ts six days a week (and no the 6th day isn't optional like in core) for 10-12 hours a day in a completely mismanaged high stress work environment. Prems can't get equipment they need to do their jobs and then have to explain to their customers and their first level id--t why they can't finish the job.
Prems have union dues withheld from their paychecks and receive half-a$$ed second class union representation in return.
OP, this isn't the premises work you remember.
If you have never been a Prem Tech, it would pay to read all contract provisions concerning that position. In particular, once you hold that title, even for a minute, you may be out of the running insofar as pursuing retirement benefits.
I don't believe "prem tech" title existed before the roll-out of Uverse started. If you did prem work, but not in the title of "prem tech", proceed with great caution.
OP here. Thank you all for your responses. I am group 1 craft but respect what Prem Techs have had to deal with. When the Prem Tech title was created, I was shocked with the starting pay and separate contract details. I blame this largely on the CWA. I had a discussion with our union VP. He stated to me, that "We will get them up to scale, next contract". I KNEW this was not true. I was incredulous. He explained to me, that the company had "threatened" to just contract all the Uverse work out. In my mind, I was like "Let them go ahead and do it". So in the end, I believe that CWA let this happen, to just gain membership.
10 to 12 hour days. Constant 6 day weeks. No equipment in the warehouse so most jobs are you explaining to customers why we can't do their install. Being screamed at by irate customers who hate our service. Knowing that your job will be eliminated in 2 years by streaming. So come on in, the waters fine.
With 19 years you don’t want a prem tech job. The Premise work you did back then was I&R. You want to go back to a job that’s not appendix J. Group 1 craft is what you want. Preferably one that requires the TKT or its equivalent. Just my opinion. There’s nothing wrong with a Prem Tech job.
its a good job overall, but you have to deal with a lot of BS, depending on your manager, and area manager. the ones that want you to be 100% on b---s--- unnecessary testing. some try to bully you, threaten your job and write ups for not meeting metrics. most of them are truly awful at managing people and try to use fear to get results. real leaders dont have to resort to such tactics. this company can be hard on prem techs and definitely do not treat them with the same respect as craft or non bargained, though it has improved some in that area as we are given more and more responsibility. most of us don't even really need managers. maybe that is why some of them act the way they do. they are worried the company sees that too and will start surplusing them again.
Prem Techs right now are squeezed for every nickel the company can get from each one. Now with 6 day mandatory weeks ahead, its almost as if the company is begging for Prem Techs to create their own attrition.
The worst thing is the work hours. Prem Techs never know when their work day is going to end. Count on at least 10 hours a day with up to 12 or more if you get stuck on a difficult job or sent to the other side of town for your last job.
Due to a shortage of Prem Tech to cover the load now, sixth day forced overtime also occurs frequently.
Don't expect to be able to have any kind of a life with these hours. If you want lots a work and overtime pay, you'll definitely get that. But you will still end up getting burnt out.
It’s as good as you want to make it. If you’re a good tech and someone your manager can depend on you’ll have more latitude than those who cause issues. Prem Tech is still a good job though frustrating at times with the roadblocks.