Las Vegas union workers: In their words

Chris Morris

Sunday, Sept. 2, 2012 | 2 a.m.

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Through the years, the popularity of unions in the workplace has steadily declined. Fewer people are signing up, and the impact and necessity of labor unions has come into question.

But there are still many people who believe in the power of a unionized workforce.

In recognition of Labor Day, the Sun spoke with 10 members from various unions throughout the Las Vegas Valley to figure out why they decided to join, and what their experience has been like.

Here is what they had to say:

Leila Navidi

Peg Bean

Special education teacher, Ronzone Elementary School, and member of Clark County Education Association since 1997

Why did you join? “I joined immediately. I believe in unions. I believe we’re stronger together than we are individually. The union is a force for good in our community, and I wanted to be a part of that.”

What has your union experience been like? “It’s been 15 years of trying to improve our profession. There is nothing in particular that stands out, I just know the union has given me many, many opportunities to grow professionally and personally, and I appreciate it. That’s what unions are for. There are many people that say we don’t need unions anymore, that the need for them no longer exists, but I think it definitely is (a need), even more so (now).
Manuel Garcia

Electrician and member of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 357 since June 2008.

Why did you join the union? Garcia said he worked as a nonunion electrician for 12 years. He said that changed after his boss refused to pay him the prevailing wage for work on a school that a previous employee made, even though Garcia was fixing the other employee’s work. “That’s the straw that broke the camel’s back. In society, you’re taught if you work hard and apply yourself, you’ll get ahead, but that’s not the truth. If you work hard and apply yourself, somebody will take advantage of you. You need to put yourself in a coalition where you work hard and have union brothers backing you,” he said.

What has your union experience been like? I’m really happy with the union. The one primary thing here is everybody calls each other ‘Brother.’ That was something I never experienced as a nonunion member. It was every man for himself. If you go to (a nonunion) boss and say, ‘Hey can I get a quarter (raise) on the paycheck?’ He says ‘OK, but don’t tell the other workers.’ In a union, you’re all in the same boat together, and that’s the most wonderful thing.
Ron Speigle

Former foreman at Anthem Mechanical and member of Sheet Metal Union Local 88 since 1996

Why did you join the union? “My father was union sheet metal worker, so I knew from experience growing up what it meant to be union member. You can provide a good living for your family and be home not having to work two three jobs and get an honest wage. So basically, whenever it was time for me to settle on what I wanted to do with my life, I decided I wanted to do the same thing as my father, and learn the trade that basically supported me.”

What has your union experience been like? “Everyday you are a brotherhood. It’s about looking out for each other, and it’s good to be part of that. … I’ve been around nonunion companies on a job where (nonunion workers) get hurt, and they don’t want to say something about it. There is such fear of losing a job that a lot of people don’t want to stand up for themselves. That’s one of the most important things in a union: to stand up for yourself. People have your back and keep things on the job safe.”
Shane Richard

Bar porter, MGM, and member of Culinary Union Local 226 since March 2011

Why did you join the union? "I’ve been working at MGM since 2008. I was in security and was talking to a lot of beverage attendants, bar porters and waiters … They would say, ‘Come over, join us. We’re union.’ I didn’t understand at the time what that meant. … I was not happy with security, so I tried it out and I’ve loved it.”

What has your union experience been like? I’ve learned about contracts and how they’re done, what it represents, and how a little person does have a voice. I don’t like to see any wrongdoings or injustices. That’s what got me involved (in the union), was how things were going on at the time in the hotel.”
Leila Navidi

Gary Polk
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Firefighter paramedic at North Las Vegas Fire Station 53 and member of North Las Vegas Firefighters Association since April 2004

Why did you join the union? “First and foremost to be part of a larger collective voice on behalf of the whole body in a union environment. If you’re not part of the union, you have very little say or influence in the things you want to get accomplished.”

What has your union experience been like? “I’m involved in other subcommittees as part of the union. I’m on the safety committee. We have different committees so that as much as you want to participate, you have as large a voice within the union itself as you want to bring solutions to the table that you want to discuss with the administration.”
Chris Lloyd

Painter and member of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 15 since 1988

Why did you join the union? “I was a nonunion tract-home painter. I painted homes, and I had one kid at 21 years old and then another kid, and I’m working my tail off for nonunion companies, not making any money. … The biggest motivating factor for me (to join the union) was to provide health care for my kids, myself and my wife.”

What has your union experience been like? “Benefits are important to me. … I’m looking forward to retirement and I’m not sure if Social Security will be there, so without my pension, I’m not sure what I would do. My work is also enjoyable and varied more than just tract homes. I’ve painted hotels, casinos and stuff like that. The union has great training programs for us. … It has enhanced my skill set to make me more marketable as a painter.”
Carlos Aquin

President of International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Nevada, marble mason and member of International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Nevada since 1996

Why did you join the union? “I’m a second generation (union member). My father told me, ‘You’re coming to work with me,’ and by break time, the union representative signed me up.”

What has your union experience been like? “It is great because it is a family. I consider it the equivalent of going to college or choosing the military. I joined right after I got out of the Marine Corps. It has been like a family. We work together in the field and work together during tough times and we stick together when we’re under attack.”
Richard Carrillo

District 18 state assemblymen, service technician and member of Plumbers, Pipe fitters and Service Technicians Union Local 525 since: 2001

Why did you join the union? “I qualified myself (as a service technician) in 2001, and that’s when I first joined the union. At first I didn’t know what to expect, I was just thinking, ‘Hey, I’m paying my dues.’ I’m paying things that are going to my pension.”

What has your union experience been like? “It has given me an opportunity to be political. Unions are not only political, but it gave me the opportunity to be more political. Before I knew it, I ran for public office and won.”
Leila Navidi

Caroline Achach

Taxi driver, Ace Cab Co., and member of Steelworkers Union Local 711A since 2009

Why did you join the union? “It was the opportunity to have a voice in our contracts, and the opportunity to do something on a local level.”

What has your union experience been like? “It’s been being involved in grassroots politics in a sense. We get to stump for our candidates that we feel are deserving of winning in local elections. … It’s been kind of fun; it’s been interesting.”
David Peinado

Bartender, the Luxor, and member of Bartenders Union 165 since 1989

Why did you join? “I decided to join the union because of all the benefits that unions provide for their members, from retirement pension plan to insurance to a guaranteed 40-hour work week.”

What has your union experience been like? “It’s been great. … They’re always there every time I’ve needed anything from them. … As far as training goes, and the stuff that it provides has been good. From the school and training it has provided me to become a bartender.”