< img src =" https://pyxis.nymag.com/v1/imgs/8e6/b23/04a4339420ed3bf101705cc502970be4bc-20260617-NYM-LB-Construction-0660.1x.rsocial.w1200.jpg" alt="" >< img src =" https://pyxis.nymag.com/v1/imgs/8e6/b23/04a4339420ed3bf101705cc502970be4bc-20260617-NYM-LB-Construction-0660.rvertical.w570.jpg" width="570"height =” 712″/ > Ivy Hernandez ↑ Mason tender, Elmhurst
What’s it like operating in construction?It’s physically extremely demanding work, and at the end of the day, I’m definitely eliminated. However the longer you spend doing it– well, your body gets used to it.
What examples do you do on the job?I prepare products, mix mortar and concrete, transportation tools, and keep the work area safe.
Are there any projects you’re looking forward to?I ‘d like to work on a major job, like an airport. I’m an apprentice right now, so I’m going to try to reveal them I can do it.
Aaron Williams
Shop steward, Morrisania
Diego Colón
Store steward, New Rochelle
What’s something many people do not learn about your job?Besides working hard in the field, we work hard in the classroom. We get our accreditations. We defend our work, too. There are a great deal of organizers who are big on ensuring that the work here stays union.
Terrel Chestnut
Laborer, South Jamaica
Craig Swinton
Worker, Jamaica
Fani Chacon
Demolition worker, Flushing
You stated you have actually operated in construction for a decade. What’s been the hardest part?Cutting large
pieces with a tool– that’s the most difficult part.
Freddie Anderson
Worker, Far Rockaway
Jimmy Valentin
Worker, Harlem
Isaiah Forbes
Store steward and trainer, Far Rockaway
What brings you here today?I’m teaching a Learn to Burn class. I’m essentially showing them how to cut steel.
Yeila N. Rodriguez
Brooklyn brigade captain, East New York
Veronica Cuenca
Laborer, Ridgewood
Eli R. Perry
Queens brigade captain, Jamaica
What do you like about what you do?It’s a gorgeous thing when you can ride past a building and state, “I was a part of that going up.” I don’t think anything tops that, especially when it’s a hot structure.
Rohnen Frederick
Store steward, Crown Heights
Dominic Romano
Laborer, Staten Island
Steven Harris
Worker, Concourse
How ‘d you enter construction?I went to prison, and now
that I’m a felon, it was tough for me to get a routine task. Construction sort of provided me a possibility in life. Jerson Azcona Shop steward
, Mill Basin Daniel Velez Worker, East New York Noel Holliday
Worker, Harlem Any memorable jobs you’ve worked on?I worked at One
Wall Street, JFK, La Guardia, and the World Trade Center. And I did a couple NYCHA projects for Cyclone Sandy where I enhanced the waterproofing and front façade of the structures. That’s a big deal for me because I grew up in NYCHA. Francisco Zarate Worker, Bushwick Pictures by Frankie Alduino Thank you for subscribing and supporting our journalism
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