Photos from the Waltham Labor Day Event

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE SLIDESHOW FROM THE WALTHAM LABOR DAY EVENT

Carpenters Local 339 Labor Day Event this Thursday, August 22, at the Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation

I recently sat at a window booth in Moody’s Delicatessen & Provisions, sipping lemonade and breathing in the uniquely cool and authentic vibe. The deli counter was in full swing, with specialized cuts of meat. Gorgeous wooden beams and intricately laid woodwork provided a warmer tone and a natural artistic flow that I would not expect of an establishment dubbed as a deli.

The servers and staff were calmly attentive and continued their work behind the giant deli counter as I relaxed and waited for my lunch dates to join me.

A tall, strong built man stepped through the door. He reminded me of a clean-shaven Paul Bunyan. I had never met him before, but recognized him by his manner.

I stood and offered my hand to Kevin Kelley, Jr., the Business Manager of Northeastern MA New England Regional Council of Carpenters.

Robin Capello, Interim Director of The Waltham Museum, soon joined us.

A diligent food server invited us to sit in the dining area for lunch. Smoked ham and cheese for Kevin, spicy Cuban for Robin, and an open-faced avocado bagel for me. Kevin and I chuckled over the idea of a vegetarian meal in a deli restaurant, but the chef was gracious and the menu was inclusive.

As we ate our main course (yes, there was more to come!), Kevin, Robin, and I conversed about the upcoming Labor Day Event on August 22 at the Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation, sponsored by The Waltham Museum and the Carpenters Union.

“We built this, you know. Wow, it came out great.” Kevin glanced admiringly at the polished frames and massive counter. “This entire place is union made. I don’t know if that was the owner’s intention when choosing union carpenters, but as you can see, it was an excellent choice. And now, whenever my union brothers and sisters are in Waltham, we know where there is excellent food, and a business that supports us. That is one of the special things about unions; we provide the best professional craftspeople and laborers to the community, and we honour that commitment.” He bit into his thick sandwich. “Besides, this is real food for real people!”

Robin cut into her ginormous Cuban (she managed to eat almost half before deciding to bring the rest of the meat-filled portion home) and elaborated on Kevin’s idea. “Real people, and community; that’s what our Labor Day Event is about. Waltham was at the forefront of the Industrial Revolution, and through our city’s timeline, it’s been the unions building us up, providing jobs, and keeping us going and growing.”

“When a business hires union workers,” added Kevin, “they are assuring that they will have safe, reliable, quality work. And you know what? It’s less expensive to hire union professionals, and the job is done right.”

He went on to describe the cost ratios, insurance issues, and the efficiency and efficacy details that businesses must explore when hiring workers. He explained that hiring union workers is the best bet in all categories.

“When someone joins a union, like the Carpenter’s Union, we provide professional training, apprenticeship, educational opportunities, and a working environment that encourages self-growth.”

He gave a recent example of how unions encourage everyone who has a will to find a way.

“I went to the Waltham High graduation, and I’ve been keeping up with these kids, seeing what they are doing in their shop classes. So I walk over to a group of graduates who had studied trades, and they’re all hunched over...on their phones, not looking up, not aware of what’s going on around them. That kind of surprised me, because in my experience, shop kids are usually more alert and full of energy. This young woman approaches me, and she says she wants to be a carpenter. So I spoke with her and her family, and met with them another time to fully explain the hard work and opportunities she could expect as a carpenter.” The recent grad accepted the challenge.

When Kevin brought her to her first job site, she went straight to work, shadowing experienced carpenters. The project manager took Kevin aside. “She’s only eighteen years old, fresh out of high school, and probably barely weighs a buck-twenty. Are you sure about this?”

Kevin pointed across the yard of cement and iron, cranes and scaffolding. The new apprentice was already reading a diagram and notching poles. “I can vouch for her, but really, it is all up to her. If she wants to succeed, she will, and the union will be supporting her every step of the way.”

Kevin swung by the site months later. It was three o’clock and the new union apprentice’s shift was just ending. She slung her heavy tool pack over her shoulders and waved. “Hi, Mr. Kelley!”

“Now you can just call me Kevin. How is everything going so far?”

The young woman spoke with sincerity and pride. She expressed how empowering it was for her to be welcomed into the carpenter’s union from day one, and how the union continually encouraged her in her goal to be a professional tradesperson. She arrived at work promptly every day and gave her all until the last minute of her shift. She confided that her family was impressed by the opportunities offered by the union, and were grateful for the chance to be part of the “American Dream.”

The young woman went on to explain that she was from a family of eight. They had emigrated to America from a country they no longer felt safe in, and which held little prospect for a successful future. Helping to support her family financially while furthering her carpentry education and skills, she said, was an opportunity of a lifetime.

“Anyone can make it in the union if they want to work for it,” Kevin told me. “It doesn’t matter where you’re from, what your background is, your gender, or even if you weigh only a hundred and twenty pounds. If you want it, the Carpenter’s Union will guide you and support you.”

I asked Kevin about his own experience as a union carpenter.

“I wasn't always in the union. I was married, had two kids; the two year old was still sleeping in the top drawer. I had my own company, and loved carpentry. I was almost never home, didn’t have health insurance, and barely making ends meet. My wife ran the business side of things, such as the bookkeeping and job scheduling. Finally she said we just couldn’t do it anymore. It was wreaking havoc on my family.”

“So that’s when you joined the union?” I asked.

“Soon after, but probably not soon enough. Looking back, I can see how my work life as an independent non-union tradesperson put so much strain on my family, that it likely contributed to when my wife and I eventually divorced.”

I sipped my lemonade. “How did your life change after joining the union?”

“The impact of being part of a brother-sisterhood of a union affected my life immediately. I was given health insurance, and with a family including two little kids, that is huge. My schedule became dependable, so I could plan things with my family and not wonder when the next job was coming in. I was able to buy a new house with room for my son and daughter to grow, and my wife got the garden she always wanted. The training, education, and mentors I got to learn from were all integral to becoming the carpenter I am today. I chose to specialize, so every day I get to do what I love. Carpentry is an art to me. I consider myself more of a craftsman or artist, rather than a tradesperson. The union gave me the ability, of course with lots of hard work on my part, to achieve my professional goals beyond my dreams, and to provide stability for my family.”

At this point, we ordered a tray of charcuterie, which was presented on a wooden platter with an assortment of specially cured meats and cheeses, as well as artisanal breads.

I helped myself to delicately crisped bread and turned my attention back to Kevin. “Do you regret not joining the union sooner?” Kevin’s answer surprised me.

“Do I regret it? No. Would my life have been easier, and would I have even more saved up for retirement now? Absolutely. But now I have seen both sides. I know what it’s like to struggle; I understand the stress put on families when the breadwinner is a non-union worker. I have felt the frustration of trying to be a skilled laborer when there are absolutely no resources for you. And I know how positively impactful unions are in personal goals, families’ lives, and the culture of strong communities. So when I meet someone struggling like I did, or see a student with aspirations of working in a trade, I can empathize.”

Robin folded a slice of tender prosciutto. “Communities definitely benefit from union work. I have seen it. Waltham appreciates union workers; you are part of our heritage. That is why The Waltham Museum is so passionate about honouring unions at our Labor Day Event. Unions are part of our community, and our history, and unions build our city’s future. So many local people benefit from the union, either by joining a union or by enjoying the fruits of union labour. Waltham would not be the community it is today without the diligence of union workers.”

“Thank you for that,” said Kevin. “The carpenters union is proud to be a supporter of the Labor Day Event.”

“I’d like to circle back to something,” I said. “Your dedication to Waltham’s young tradespeople is laudable, and the fair wages, health insurance, safe jobs, mentoring, training, education, and reliable income are undoubtedly valued in any trade career. But what about people closer to retirement, or people whom because of age or circumstances cannot perform heavy-duty work? Are skilled workers fired or laid off when they reach a point in life when they are not ready to retire, but not willing to say, climb on roofs?”

“Every person in our union is important and valued. We don’t expect people to work their bodies to exhaustion. Of course, carpentry and other trades are physically and mentally demanding work. That is why we at the carpenter's union have mentor programs, and education opportunities, and union jobs on and off site so that our brothers and sisters in the trade can still have dependable work, dependable pay, dependable insurance, and always-safe working conditions. There is always a place for you in the union, in many capacities. No one is left out. We are all equally important, no matter if you are a journeyman or a foreman. Age is never a factor, just like ethnicity, what country you came from, gender, or anything else that makes you an individual. We are all a family and look out for each other.”

“What a powerful sentiment,” said Robin.

“That’s just how it is, plain and simple,” said Kevin. "To me, unions are a family. We are connected in a brother and sisterhood. We are there for each other. Community is the heart of what we do and why we do it.”

The COO of Moody’s Deli, Alex Hage, stopped by our table with a dessert tray. “I love our Waltham community. Hiring union workers is one way we support the community, and our community supports us. We are all in this together.”

Kevin shook his hand. “And we appreciate you for hiring local union workers. It’s all a big circle of being there for each other.”

“This right here is what I love about Waltham,” said Robin.

I helped myself to a dessert. “And you don’t just mean the coconut macaroons!”

After our lengthy and hardy lunch (Kevin was on point about real food for real people) I joined Robin at The Waltham Museum. I got a sneak peek of their exhibits for the Labor Day Event at the Charles River of Industry and Innovation on August 22 from 5-8PM. This is a free event, and all are welcome to swing by, partake of Moody Deli’s catering, and witness the history of our community. From Native American tools, to steampunk contraptions, and modern Waltham progress, this family-friendly gathering is designed to be a fun and informative way to celebrate Waltham’s tradespeople.

Waltham’s museum community is rallying for this inclusive event. The Telephone Museum has donated local union-made dresses as worn by employees at the Waltham Switchboard, where the Bank of America on 880 Main Street is now.

My grandfather was a union bricklayer who helped build much of Waltham. My great-grandmother was an immigrant who sought refuge in Waltham, and worked in the mills. I will be proud to represent them both in my own way. I hope to see my readers at the Carpenters Local 339 Labor Day Event this Thursday, August 22, at the Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation.

Robin Capello would like to extend this invitation to all of Waltham:

Please join me and Kevin Kelley in celebrating the ‘hands’ whose contributions helped build and continues shaping who we are through an amazing environment of community, prosperity, and family.

We welcome your visit with a history of our rich industrial development and labor expansion and advancement. Displays along with volunteers walk you from the tools used by the indigenous people of our area, through the taming of the Charles River to ignite the American Industrial Revolution, then advances on to the genius of the technology highway ‘Route 128’.

I personally wish to pay my humble gratitude to you, who choose to get up every day and make a difference in my life, through your volunteerism; philanthropy; commitment to quality work; and willingness to speak and organize by City, State, and Federal legislation.

What I appreciate most about my City of Waltham and the surrounding areas is its consistent evolution. Its desire to protect, grow, and celebrate our past and our future. I hope the fantastic energy and information at this event reflects that appreciation.

What you have done is now part of history, and what you do next will once again define us.

Warm Regards

Robin Capello

Interim Director of The Waltham Museum