Plumbing Apprenticeship
Program, Local 38
Organized Labor
May 2009
Apprentice Leslie Clough, 43 years old, worked as a legal secretary for 20 years. “I just got sick of sitting in a cubicle year after year pounding at the computer. This is a lot more challenging and a lot more interesting,” she states. She enjoys the variety. “One day you may be soldering copper pipe, another day doing layout, and another day helping with a cast-iron pipe delivery. There is a lot of moving around. The other day we were up on the roof taking measurements in the rain. It was fun being outside and learning something new.” How is it being a woman in the trades? “It's great,” she says. “Most of the plumbers are really helpful. They are all real professional and respectful. Occasionally you come across a gruff plumber, so you leave him alone and keep on going.” And how does that compare to working with attorneys? “It’s a lot more enjoyable then all the pressure of working for people who make their living fighting with other people.”