In L-MCOL area. I saw somewhere that housing is very low cost, but the rest is medium.
Me : kept woman
TheHusbandHalf : I think he is called a process engineer at an oil refinery. He works in the control room, and has for the last 10 years.
17 years before that he worked in the outside (He now sits in front of 6-7 computers and tells people what to do, he used to do what people in the control room told him to do)
When he was hired, no education was necessary to apply, but they were very selective. At the time, of the 20 hires, 5 had to be a minority, 5 women, 5 white guys, and I can't remember the other 5. The company has consistently received 3000 applicants for 20 - 25 openings.
Age: I am 60, THH is 62
THH:
Salary: 6 figure Per the contract, he gets a 3% raise every year.
Experience: None when he started, 27 years now.
Education: 2 years of college, did not graduate. Since he was 17-18 he's been involved in electric, plumbing, carpentry, HVAC, and just knows stuff, and interviews well - the reason he was hired. There was a year long training when he was hired and training to move to the control room.
Every year he sends in payment for a Boilermaker's license, and some other license, which the company reimburses.
401k match is 8%, the company puts 2000 in the HSA every year if we get a wellness check from our doctor
There is a pension when he retires (Jan 10, 2019) Excellent health insurance, dental, vision with others we do not wish to participate in.
$200 work shoe voucher each year.
Time and a half for any hours per week over any hours scheduled. 2 1/2 time/hr when working a holiday. Holidays are worked if it is timed to be on his scheduled time to work. Trades are ok if arranged, and ok'd, ahead of time.
A few times a year THH does something (the last time, not allowing something to happen because his procedure manual said not to, despite many many telling him to) that people who are appreciative, and give him some movie and refreshment cards
The company has changed their application requirements from needing a college degree (any degree) to 'need a college degree or military experience.' (Because of THH!) They no longer are required to meet hiring quotas.
It is a union job and 3 years ago was the first strike since THH has worked there. From what I see, the union's main responsibility is the employee's safety.
I forgot to mention:
Same sex couples are treated the same, insurance or other benefits - wise as heterosexual couples. I think that's been about 10-15 years.
Kids, age 26, of an employee have been covered under the employees health insurance for the same length of time.
Men, I'm not sure if they have to be a husband, get paid time off when a child is born.