Local 30, IUOE is a union that encompasses many workers the average person takes for granted. They are the engineers and mechanics that maintain critical facilities, operate power plants which are vital to the energy needs of homes and businesses, and power health care facilities. They bring the energy necessary to make games possible at stadiums and arenas and education facilities, and which supports commercial, retail and residential infrastructure.
LaborPress was lucky enough to speak to apprentice Bernard Heffern, a future graduate of the Local, and recipient of the LaborPress Outstanding Apprentice of the Year Award, about his background, current work, and what being in a union means to him.
LP: How old are you and where did you grow up?
BH: Currently, I am 32 years old and I will be turning 33 soon. I grew up in a small town called Matawan, New Jersey.
LP: How did you hear about the apprentice program and what got you interested in the first place?
BH: I had heard about it when I was in high school from my father and had passed on the opportunity prior. I was working as a manager of a restaurant prior to COVID, but when COVID hit it resulted in the company closing the restaurant. That moment was when I knew I needed a change and that is when my dad reminded me about the apprenticeship. It seemed like a perfect fit since I have always loved working with my hands, and when I was younger I always found myself under the hood of a car with my father or a group of friends. Hard work was something I have always loved.
LP: Any union members in your family?
BH: My father just retired from being an engineer. He made a career out of well over thirty years in the industry. He truly steered me in this direction and I thank him so much, because without him, I would not have the work ethic that I do and none of this would be possible. Thanks, Dad.
LP: When did you begin your apprenticeship and when will you graduate?
BH; I began my apprenticeship in September of 2020, and will be graduating June 13, 2023, along with the rest of my 2023 class who will journey out.
LP: Are you currently on a job and if so what type of work are you doing?
BH: Yes, I am currently working in a high pressure steam plant, East River Housing, in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. We do everything from maintaining the heating in apartments, maintaining fire tube and water boilers, to welding and fabrication in our shop. I work with a great group of guys over there who have shown me the ropes and helped me learn so much. Huge shout out to my shop for putting up with me during my apprenticeship. Without those guys, well, I wouldn’t know what to do with myself.
LP: Have you been on any particularly interesting jobs in the past while an apprentice?
BH: Well, since I came from knowing nothing in this field, everything has been quite interesting. But I must say the most interesting jobs that I get to work on are the ones that take place inside of the multi-million dollar apartments overlooking the East River. It’s interesting because once I finish my work, I can pop up and look out a window to see beautiful views of the Williamsburg Bridge, Domino Sugar, and the Manhattan Bridge. It still blows my mind to this day.
LP: What will your specialty be?
BH: My plant produces steam for use in heat and hot water by way of fire tube and water tube boilers, so I would say I’m well versed in a basic steam system, but I’m far from an expert at this time.
LP: What do you think of the training program as a whole and has it prepared you for the career you want?
BH: The training program blew me away. I had previously gone to Penn State and earned a degree in Hospitality Management with a minor in Labor and Employee Relations. I thought it would prepare me for the real world of restaurants. I was in shock when I saw what I had gotten myself into. Here in Local 30, from day one, there were expectations set and ready. Also working in the industry while learning truly set a completely different tone because we could relate real world problems at work to what we were learning in the class room. The training we received was so geared towards what we really see in the field that a lot of it seemed much easier to understand and process. The teachers truly do so much for everyone and I personally can’t thank them enough for what they do. In three very short years, I went from knowing nothing to feeling extremely ready for a position. I can wholeheartedly say that I’m ready.
LP: What does being in a union mean to you?
BH: Being in a union is something some people don’t understand. It’s like being on a football team where we all have different jobs, and we all might be moving at slightly different paces, but in the end, we all have the same goals. The union I belong to has taught me about much more than how to troubleshoot a problem or how to properly change a valve. It has taught me loyalty and brotherhood, which is something I can say I feel like I never had in my life until now. My father would always come home from work tired and with dirty hands, but with the biggest smile on his face, and I now know why. The feeling of accomplishment and being able to work in a well-paying job while having the ability to come home and provide for your family, there is nothing in the world like it.
