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Sherry Chapin, Operating Engineers Local 3
Chapin began as a roofer 20 years ago and then started her own contracting business restoring historic buildings. After a while, she decided she wanted the security of a union job and became a journeyman mason. “I wanted to get back to getting up in the morning, going to work, getting a paycheck and rocking the world,” she said. When she got a little too old to be lifting 50 pounds of stone, she became an inspector. Four years ago, Operating Engineers hired her to help set up an apprenticeship program.
“I had four older brothers. They were as brutal as you can get, but I can thank them for preparing me for my life in the trades. Humor is important, and I am a pretty good sport. But sometimes you have to take a straightforward approach if something’s bothering you. I’m pretty quick at snappy comebacks, but after a couple of days I said to one guy, ‘Look, this tit-for-tat is getting old. We’re going to be on this project for the next six months. Do you want to spend every day insulting each other or do you want to work together.’ You can never be one of the boys, but you can be one of the workers.”
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