Length: 1:41 Bill and comrade Leonard McNeil talk about the Ironworkers for Union Democracy
Bill started working as an ironworker in 1973 and he politicized the work environment. He said, “I believe in union democracy. I believe in equality. So when I [saw that people of color] were really marginalized… that’s when we said, ‘That’s bullshit!’ We began to organize.”
Bill and other conscious men of color established Ironworkers for Union Democracy, a rank and file organization fighting for diversity and democracy in the union. Fellow ironworker Leonard McNeil appreciated the solidarity this group formed. “When you’re on a job with Bill, someone who shared the same class and race perspectives and the commitment to organizing, you know there’s somebody that’s got your back.”
November 19th, 2007 at 1:54 am
As a single mom wanting to earn a decent living to raise my daughter, I got into the ironworkers in North Dakotra in 1976. They immediately stuck me into the rod patch – for nearly 3 years – thinking they were going to get rid of me. Didn’t work! The day I wanted to start working structural the powers that be decided to p0ut me on the steam drum detail – over 425 ft. in the air. I didn’t let them – said I would sue their buts off for endangering me and the life of my child, who depended on me. So I started on the ground and worked up. In 1980 I “boomed out” to San Francisco, where I worked for 10 years. I wish I had met Bill Sorro then… we would have some great stories and challenges to swap and talk about. The world was a much better place because of people like Bill, especially ALL the ironworkers unions in the SF Bay Area!
Check my website for 25 years of ironworking photos from jobsites I’ve been on or visited…!