Public Employee Press

Tools of the trade

"In my 23 years at the library, this is the best thing that ever happened to me."
—Steven Rodriguez, Jr. Local 374

By DIANE S. WILLIAMS

Steven Rodriguez was a Junior Library Custodian for 20 years until the union made him an offer that changed the direction of his life.

Quasi-Public Employees Local 374, the DC 37 Education Fund and the New York Public Library collaborated to invest in workers by initiating a free 12-week trades apprenticeship program. The course offered technical training in commercial building maintenance, plumbing, electrical, and heating, cooling and ventilation (HVAC) systems through the General Society for Mechanic and Tradesmen Institute, one of the city's oldest trades colleges.

A path to a better life

In June, seven NYPL custodians, Motor Vehicle Operators, and Attendant Guards/Porters graduated from the expanded three-year college course. They are: Xavier Blackman, David Christie, Archie Jackson, William Johnson, Vincent Maucieri, Ulysses Threadgill and Rodriguez.

"For too long custodial jobs were thought of as dead-end jobs," said Local 374 President Cuthbert Dickenson. "Now these members have skills and are prepared to move up the NYPL career ladder whether in maintenance, electrical, plumbing or HVAC."

"What the library lacked was a pool of viable candidates to fill vacancies as Maintainers retired or moved on," said NYPL Labor Relations Director Terrence Neal. NYPL has more than 90 facilities in Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten Island. "We always found ourselves going outside for Maintainers but wanted to be able to promote from within."

Forty-two Local 374 members took the 12-week course that was required before entering the trades college program alongside workers from Con Edison and similar companies. "This made for an even playing field," said Neal.

Neal, Dickenson, and Ed Fund former Administrator Barbara Kairson and Associate Director Viviana Tillman developed the career-enhancing program in 2012. Tuition was free but students were responsible for books and registration fees.

"I had not been in school for a while so being in this environment was a kick," said Rodriquez, who studied commercial HVAC systems. "I went to class with guys I work with, we studied together and helped each other out."

"It was challenging," said Jackson, a Jr. Library Custodian who studied electrical technology. "Math was my worst subject in high school. But these teachers were patient and helped me learn so much."

"It wasn't easy, I have a family and work, but this was a dream come true," Jackson said. "When I learned the library offered this, I made a commitment and followed through. I appreciate this opportunity because it's made me a more valuable employee. If a position opens up in Electrical, I can apply because now I'm qualified."

"In my 23 years at the library, this is the best thing that ever happened to me," said Rodriguez. "I jumped at the opportunity and with support from my wife and daughter, I did it!"

"We are very proud. They committed themselves, hunkered down and stuck it out," Neal said. "Because they have cleared this hurdle, we now have viable candidates that have a leg up and can compete for jobs."