Vice President of the Ironworkers Local 55, Rob Monak, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about his unique path to Union. Monak also talked about the efforts by Local 55 to organize and recruit new members in Northwest Ohio.
Monak found his way to Local 55 after a few years searching for a career. He grew up with many Local 55 families and found the Union life was for him. Monak not only serves as Vice President of the Local but also as an organizer and business development agent. Currently, Local 55 is the king of Northwest Ohio, but they continue to fight the stigma behind union work to build a better community.
With companies making more off workers than ever, it’s the union’s job to fight for the fair share of workers. Monak works to educate workers on their rights to earn a livable wage and have benefits for their families as well. He’s found that most Prevailing Wage conversations organizers have resulted in more new members of the Union.
There’s been an ebb and flow to recruiting over the last five years. If an apprentice can make it through year one of their apprenticeship, they have about an 80 percent chance to make it through the entire apprenticeship, Monak said. The early expectations prove to be the most difficult in the apprenticeship program. While the apprenticeship recruiting process isn’t as ideal as Monak would like, it’s making progress, and that’s a starting point for building a successful recruitment pipeline.
To learn more about Ironworkers Local 55, please listen to the show above, then visit ironworkerslocal55.com