Terri Patterson is a structural ironworker with Ironworkers Local 25 and a third generation Native American ironworker. In this interview Terri describes the apprentice program and the classes. Many of her male relatives are in the field and she…
T.M., a non-union roofer and general contractor, was born and raised in Trenton, MI. T.M. got into the construction trade at age 18 after buying a house, realizing she could not afford to hire help she learned how to do the repair work herself. At…
Sue Jantschak is a business agent with the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights. After graduating from Michigan State University with a degree in veterinary technology and working in that field for thirteen years Sue developed…
Sara Willis is an electrician at the Chrysler Sterling Heights Assembly Plant. Willis grew up in Grand Rapids and moved to Detroit in the early 1980’s to care for her ailing grandmother. She applied for the Local 58 electrical apprenticeship at the…
In this interview S.H., a sheet metal worker with Local 80 recalls growing up in Taylor, MI and attending college in Kentucky and Lawrence Technical University before having to drop out for financial reasons. A sheet metal worker friend encouraged…
S.E., a journeyperson pipefitter with Consumers Energy and member of UWUA- Utility Workers Union of America grew up in Detroit and graduated from Marygrove College. S.E. started working for Consumers as a part-time dispatcher and then worked as a…
Renee Holbrook is a mechanic with the National Conference of Firemen and Oilers Local 1219 under SEIU. Holbrook was born raised in Owosso, MI and attended technical school at Universal Technical Institute in Illinois and completed a certificate…
Pat Nuznov is an electrician with IBEW-International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 58 Detroit. In 1978, thanks to President Carter and affirmative action, Nuznov applied for and was accepted into IBEW Local 58’s apprenticeship program.…
M.G. is a member of Local 659 and is an Electrician at Flint Engine South. M.G began working at GM and after spending several years on the production line she began to seek a more demanding position. She tested for the skilled trades and was…
In this interview, sisters Linda Bart and Judy Ellul discuss their careers as rod busters. Bart entered the federally funded Trade Union Leadership Council in Detroit in 1979 and accepted a position as a rod buster with the Reinforcing Iron Workers,…