Plumbers Local 55 Business Representative John Hodge joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the workload in Greater Cleveland and the need for the continued growth of the Local 55 apprenticeship program to meet the demand.
Local 55 represents about 500 plumbers in Cleveland.
Currently, the Local has more work available than it has members available to work, and as a result, has calls out for travelers to fill the demand, Hodge said. The situation will only intensify with the upcoming construction of Sherwin Williams’ global headquarters in downtown Cleveland and a global research and development center in Brecksville, Ohio, he added.
Hodge then discussed the need to continue to grow the Local’s apprenticeship program and detailed the Local’s efforts to increase its membership.
He also shared his own experience of why he entered the trades. Hodge explained that he completed a college degree, but it failed to translate into a career. Luckily, a relative told him about Local 55’s apprenticeship program and he successfully applied. Hodge encouraged listeners interested in the trades, no matter their age, to apply to the apprenticeship program and begin a career in the union construction industry.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more about these topics.