Some 250 people showed up at a program on Akrons east side that had expected to draw about half that many. OK, guys. Im from the Teamsters. Whos got questions? And for the better part of the next two hours, the questions -- and answers flew. So did the paperwork the preliminary applications that will get some of those 250 people and some of those who attended a session of nearly the same size a few weeks ago -- into apprenticeships with one of the skilled trade unions: Teamsters or laborers, masons or perhaps operating engineers.
What about a record?
Those last the engineers -- are the men and women who maneuver the heaviest of equipment, the kind that burrows massive tunnels and carves out catch basins and other parts of the $1 billion-plus project that will keep heavy rains from forcing raw sewage into Summit Countys rivers. Ray Matthews an outsized man with a broad smile -- can see himself climbing aboard an outsized crane. Any other job Ive ever had they always want me to do the lifting. So I want to use something to do the lifting now. He has another goal. Making some bad decisions in the past and trying to work it out now. Bad decisions includes a criminal record. He isnt alone. In fact, someone in every breakout group raised the question: Does a felony record write you off? The answer was most often no -- with a caveat, encouragement and in the case of the masons, a bit of humor. If youre escaped and youre on the run, no we arent going to hire you. But if youre a convicted felon, youve done your time, the rule of law and rules of society are changing as we speak today.
Getting real
As a group, the trade unionists said their concern is someone with the right work ethic and willingness and ability to learn. But much of the message of the night was about being realistic as well and the union reps noted that some contractors who hire them have bigger reservations about criminal records. They also described long days in very cold -- or hot weather, sore knees, backs and shoulders. Few of those attending seemed scared off by those prospects. Especially when they took in the details of the apprenticeships that start at roughly $15 an hour and nearly double at the end of four years, and include pensions, full benefits and at least for now lots of job security even if Akrons sewer project werent in the picture.
For some, a tinkering; for others, a life change
Thats not the case for all the trades. Christine Adams says her significant other is a union painter, facing a layoff. So shes interested in returning to the workforce in masonry. Ive learned some skills with my father over the years. And I have worked construction. Ive been a riveter. I think I bring a lot to the table. But for others, construction work would be a drastic change. Napoleon Rogers works with developmentally disabled people now. Its a rewarding job. I love the job. Its just the pay is not that great. Janiece Davis brought her 11-year-old daughter with her to the session, leaving her baby daughter at home. She has an associates degree in surgical assisting but not a lot of prospects in that field right now. It is quite the opposite, but I have to do what I have to do. If I cant find a job in one area, I spent a lot of money on college loans, things are in default. I cant pay it. If theres an open door, if you can get paid while youre being trained, theres no drawback to me. Phil Montgomery is Akrons assistant service director and in charge of the project. He notes that the citys unemployment rate has gone from more than 7 percent to less than 5 percent since the project was developed. Were still seeing people who are underemployed and unemployed that want to take advantage of this. Its just that there are people out there who want to work and its getting better but its not where it needs to be. The pre-apprenticeship applications will be screened by a team put together by the Akron Urban League and Summit County Community Action Agency, which will conduct interviews and do some soft-skills training before passing names onto the unions. The citys goal is to have any many as half the workers on the sewer project made up of city residents.