Member Spotlight

Community is at the heart of everything we do in the Carmen's Union – and as three of our longtime members and union leaders prepare to enjoy a highlydeserved retirement, it's what they say has defined their time in the union.

Pat Hogan, outgoing Division 3 delegate, has spent almost 30 years as a member of the Carmen's Union. Some of his most cherished memories are organizing Christmas and retirement parties back when he was a barn captain in the Charleston area. For Pat, these gatherings were an opportunity to take the pulse of the membership and find out if there was anything he could do to help a member out. "You'd see something that would better the job for someone, and you'd say something about it or talk to somebody about it and try to get it fixed", said Pat. The same drive to make every day on the job better for his fellow union members has fueled John Clancy, the outgoing Recording Secretary, throughout his 30+ years in the union. One of John's proudest memories of making a difference for Carmen's Union members was when he was a union steward and was able to help a bus driver who'd had some minor safety issues in the past keep his job. "I said, let's give this guy another chance and make sure he's trained up and ready to go", said John – resulting in the driver working another six years with no safety problems whatsoever. "Advocating for the members is definitely a huge highlight of being part of the union," said John.

Pat, John, and retiring S.M.I delegate Brian Walsh are all proud spokesmen for the union way of life. "The union helped me buy a house, and provide for my family," said John. "It's a secure, steady life." Pat echoed the same gratitude for everything his membership in the Carmen's Union has helped him do and achieve. "I was fortunate to have a union that represented us, and got us fair wages and benefits. It meant everything to me."