I came to the United States eight years ago from Croatia and found employment with a non-union construction company. Eventually, I met Steamfitters Local 638’s lead organizer, Jim Sheeran Jr; I walked off a billion-dollar project to join Local 638, and worked as a steamfitter for five years, and felt honored to go to work every day knowing I had the union at my back, supporting me. For the last year, I have worked as an organizer with the NY Pipe Trades. I see this job as a calling, and an opportunity to support those who need to be organized, just as I was, so that they have a voice on the job and respect and dignity at work. Being an organizer is an opportunity for me to pay it forward to the next generation of Steamfitters and grow our union.
