Current Events

John Lynch: 75 Years of continous service!!

John Lynch was born and raised in San Francisco.  He graduated from Balboa HS and immediately started working as a Union painter in 1950.  He has stayed active in his Union, attending meetings until recently, when he was sidelined due to health reasons.  Additionally, John volunteered at the Redwood Empire food bank for over 30 years and is still recognized in the community.  He currently spends his time in retirement building ship/boat replicas, and not the small hobby shop plastic ones.  One of his most prized builds is a nine-foot replica of the SS Jeremiah O’Brien.  The paint he used on the model comes from the actual ship, provided to him by someone who cares for the actual ship.  He even won an award at the Sonoma County Fair one year.  According to his nephew Andre, who helps chauffeur John around, John has an “armada” of boats including a six-foot-long tug boat.  I had the honor of speaking to him  about his time in the union and here are some of the things he said:

• How did you come to join the Union?
  • He joined right out of high school. He began working with a Union shop, Landow Painting in 1950.  Once he journeyed out, he was making ninety-one cents an hour.

• How has your experience been as a Union member so far?
  • It has been pretty good being a Union man.  He went to all his meetings and was president of LU 364, Santa Rosa, before it was merged with LU 83.

• What is your favorite part about your trade?
  • He enjoyed being a painter and loved being in all kinds of different jobs.  He enjoyed learning the trade and going to apprenticeship school.  At that time you had to match colors on a color wheel as part of the process to journey out.  Additionally, he reflected on how safety was different back in his days in the field. He recalled fondly of being on sites and washing brushes with coal oil and mixing the lead and oil into the paint using his hands.  Additionally, spraying without the correct PPE.

• What would you say to someone who is thinking about joining the Union?
  • JOIN!  It’s the way to go because you get a retirement plan and protection as a member.

• Is there a particular project or moment in your Union career that stands out to you?
  • Painting the Children’s Hospital in S.F. and all the different high rises in the city.

• Do you have any advice for others considering a career in the trades?
  • Be safe and use your PPE and safety equipment.  Due to carrying 5 gl. buckets up and down multiple stories had taken a toll on his body.  Use things that will make your job easier and safer like hand carts.

PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY.  SIGN UP BEFORE DECEMBER 31ST.