Originally Posted by
Wisconsin 
I am a pro labor union bleeding heart liberal, but it is shameful what goes on with respect to substance abuse in the skilled trades, with the unions' full knowledge at best, and outright cooperation at worst.
There was a time in my life when I was involved w/a union electrician, and I would have to agree--the partying was EXTREME, with guys showing up to work severely hungover and impaired, if not actually still drunk/stoned. These guys made a ton of money and it was just the lifestyle--party hard while the work lasts, then party even harder while you're waiting for or moving on to the next job. Rinse, repeat. It's incredible more of them aren't killed on the job.