PEP, March 2008: Women move up in the blue collar world

By JANE LaTOUR

As changing laws have opened wider opportunities, some women have chosen to learn skilled trades, fight fires, repave roads or take up other occupations beyond the ordinary. While the U.S. government considers any job with under one-fourth women as nontraditional, the number of women in skilled blue-collar jobs hovers at a much lower level, and some of the blue-collar union “brotherhoods” have admitted only a handful of women.

Renee Boyd and two other women were recently promoted into Dept. of Transportation Supervisory Employees Local 1157. PEP asked Boyd about the realities of life and progress on the blue-collar frontier.

In 1989, Boyd started out as an Assistant Highway Repairer in Local 983. Her upgrading to HR earned her a substantial wage increase and membership in Local 376. With her Aug. 17 promotion to a supervisory position came a big raise and membership in Local 1157.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, women’s pay fell in 2006 to 80.8 percent of men’s earnings. One major reason women earn less is occupational job segregation. Women in nontraditional blue-collar jobs earn significantly higher wages than those in many traditional fields for women.

Guts and perseverance
“The money was the reason I went into the job, but it’s not the reason I stay. I believe, if you start something you should finish it,” Boyd said.

After 19 years on the job, Boyd is still on trial. “Going from being a laborer to a supervisor, I’m challenged every single day in my new capacity. The men want me to prove that I know the job,” she said. “It’s always a debate. But I’ve worked in every department of DOT, from bridges, to safety and maintenance and citywide equipment, so I think I’m very qualified!”

DC 37 Blue Collar Division Director José Sierra has seen women making progress, “but it’s an uphill battle,” he said. “The women have to persevere and repeatedly show that they have what it takes. Someone like Renee Boyd, who clearly has the qualifications to do the job, still has to demonstrate that, over and over again.”

Boyd and the other women get support from different sources — other women on the job, supervisors and the union. She said small acts of solidarity from the other women in her local have eased her transition. Some called to congratulate her on the promotion, and Jessie Kerr, one of the women pioneers in Local 1157, offered her support. Others went out of their way to show her the ropes. Co-worker Donna Loughran, who was promoted just before Boyd, created a set of assignment sheets to show her how to fill them out in the correct way.

Some supervisors have found ways to encourage the women. Boyd appreciates the steady support of men like Joe Pitelli and Tommy Bartkowski. “I’ve been fortunate to have these men in my corner,” she said.

“On behalf of Local 1157, I want to welcome our new members and let them know that we are here to assist them, if they need us,” said Vice President Bob Giallanzo. “We know they’ll do a good job, and we’re looking forward to working with them.”