Alex Raymond, First Year Apprentice

My father was in the elevator trade. I liked what he said, about the money, the work, and the security, everything about it, and particularly being in the union. He talked a lot about the union.  It feels good  belonging to an organization like this.

Hoisting and rigging really impressed me, the different techniques for lifting heavy objects and machines. I had never seen anything like that before. Like putting a 5,000 pound machine on the side of a 60-story building. It took four of us. I had the radio and was on top of the roof directing the guy on the crane. I’ve only been working 8 months and they let me do that.