Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Nice to Hear

Today as we got in the company van and rode off campus to where our cars were parked, a couple of guys were talking about the new apprentice who has just started with the company this week. The apprentice had taken the metro home already.

"What year is the new apprentice on John's job?" one guy asked.

"A first-year," was the reply.

"Is he going to make it to his second year?" asked one of the guys, trying to coyly determine the skill-level of the new-recruit.

I was very surprised when, at the same time, two of the mechanics in the van exclaimed, "We'll get him to his second year!"

I hadn't expected that kind of support, especially when the new guy wasn't around. These guys were both correcting the other who was trying to be funny and showing their feelings about the union. I was really, really surprised.

"This is a brotherhood, man," one of them said to me the next day when I mentioned the incident in passing. "We have to look out for each other. It's up to us to help new guys become IBEW electricians. It shouldn't make any difference that this is his first week in the trade. It's our job to see that he makes it through the apprenticeship and keeps the union going strong."

I just thought that was an incredible thing to hear. Wanted to pass it on!

1 comment:

  1. That was really touching! I am so glad to hear the essence of brotherhood does exist and can combat negative stereotypes. Thanks for sharing!

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