You don't have to give any ground they don't give a shit. They'll just outbid you repeatedly and your only option is try and flip them union under the owners nose.

And 250 for hand tools? I doubt that. Linesmen alone eat up 20% of that.

You honestly think it's unfair to ask people making 70-80k a year with no college to buy 1000-1500 worth of tools over a 4 year apprenticeship and take care of them? Most people don't even bat an eye this. I know loads of people proudly rolling $300 Milwaukee packouts with everything needed to do any task at the drop of a hat who enjoy buying new tools...we have plenty of money to feed our families these employers aren't out here starving us