RICHARD MANGELSDORF: MY JOURNEY

Business Manager & Financial Secretary-Treasurer, Local 280

I first started out in the sheet metal industry in 2001. A friend of mine had started an apprenticeship in sheet metal and told me all about it, so I applied for a pre-apprenticeship through the training centre and awaited placement. It was May long weekend, and I was in Tofino for my aunt’s wedding when I got the call that I would be starting on Tuesday at Ecco Heating.

For a long time, I wasn’t sure if sheet metal was the right industry for me. As an apprentice, I thought that I wasn’t built like a typical sheet metal worker, and I wondered if maybe there was a better path for me to take. Not knowing what direction to go, I left to travel for a period of time. After returning from my travels, I decided to come back and finish off my ticket. Unfortunately at that time, I was unable to get back in at Ecco, but I ended up at Austin Metal Fabricators where I worked until after I earned my ticket. It wasn’t until after I competed in the Canadian apprentice contest and started getting opportunities to teach at the training centre that I really committed to the trade.

As the Business Manager/Financial Secretary-Treasurer at Local 280, I deal with the day to day operations of the Local. That might entail things like managing the finances, directing the organizer and representatives, and representing the union on numerous boards. To be honest, the position encompasses so much that it is difficult to describe everything someone in this seat takes on.

I love that sheet metal is one of the few craft trades remaining. I love that our members take flat metal and form three dimensional objects for various purposes. I love that our members can drive past buildings and point out to their friends and families that they helped build them.

In this industry, nothing comes easily. Everything takes hard work and persistence. I think the biggest challenges for me have always been starting in new positions. Whether becoming an instructor or a business representative, or now the business manager, all have been difficult because I try to always hold myself to the highest standards. I struggled the most when I started out as an instructor, though. During my first full-time class, I was very hard on myself, but it was mostly where I was mentally at the time, as I was in my mid-20s. I would say becoming the business manager has been more challenging, but I’ve come a long way in the last 15 or so years, so I’m handling it much better.

In this position, it’s easier to see that labor-management partnerships are important to the industry because it is a symbiotic relationship. Companies need workers and workers need companies. If companies aren’t competitive enough, there will be no hours to work for the workers. If companies don’t pay enough, they can’t attract workers to staff the jobs. Having a partnership means understanding that balance on both sides of the table and being realistic with demands.

Anyone’s journey starts with the first step. If someone is interested in starting a career in sheet metal, call us at the union hall! It is a great opportunity to get a four-year education and get paid the entire time, instead of going to university and ending up with a pile of debt to go along with your diploma. ▪