"Construction jobs were slow in 1980 thanks to the recession, so after graduating from trade school, I worked as a union millwright/maintenance technician. It provided me with many skills that were extremely beneficial when I started in the IBEW apprenticeship program on my way to becoming a journeyman/master electrician.

I grew up in St. Paul, Minn., and wanted to work in my hometown, so I applied to Local 110. It was my father, who was a retired Teamster, who encouraged me to apply. He said, 'When you get to be my age, you will appreciate the benefits and thank me.' He was a wise man and so right.

I always appreciated the quality of training we received from our JATC. That made our jobs much more rewarding. The quality of our work and the safety of our jobsites were outstanding.

The IBEW wage-and-benefit package negotiated over the years was by far superior over what was being offered by nonunion electrical shops. It allowed for us to save for college and retirement. We used our vacation time on fun family trips every year that my kids always remember fondly.

My wife and I were able to raise two children on my wages while she stayed home when they were younger. They went on to graduate from college, with one even having a Ph.D.

I really appreciated our medical benefits over the years, as life events without it could have been worse. Our IBEW pensions have made retirement planning and retirement so easy. With all the hard work over the years, it's nice to know the IBEW has our backs.

I can think of no better people to tell our story than our retirees, sharing their life-long experiences in our industry and often being able to retire earlier than our nonunion counterparts.

I also cannot say enough about the great sisters and brothers in the field and at Local 110 — celebrating 110 years this year! — that I had the pleasure to work with all those years."