Member of the Month: Julio Garcia

Congratulations to Julio Garcia, our June Member of the Month for Local 159! Julio has been recognized for working more hours than any other member this month, a testament to his dedication and work ethic.

Julio’s career as a painter spans an impressive 32 years, beginning when he was just 18 years old. His journey started with a non-union company specializing in high-end custom homes, where precision and perfection were paramount. During this time, he honed his skills in faux finishing, plastering, gold leafing, and various other techniques to meet the diverse needs of clients.

After 14 years in the non-union sector, Julio sought new opportunities and briefly worked as a bar back at the Tropicana, aspiring to become a bartender. However, he soon realized that painting was his true passion and offered better financial stability. Encouraged by a maintenance painter at the Tropicana, Julio visited the Union Hall seeking an opportunity. Although the apprenticeship program was not hiring at that moment, his persistence paid off when he applied as a journeyman. He was tested and placed on a job within three days.

Julio’s union career began with Raymond, where he worked as a faux finisher for six years. He then spent two years with Hassen before joining PCI, where he has remained for the past nine years. Among the many projects he has worked on in Las Vegas, Julio is particularly proud of his contributions to the Sphere and the Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters.

Julio embodies the motto “High Performance, High Value.” He believes that being a good worker and valuable to your employer means continuously learning and being teachable. He advises apprentices and up-and-coming union workers to embrace every learning opportunity, remain open to feedback, and not take offense if shown a different way to perform a task.

Throughout his career, Julio has expanded his skill set significantly. He has learned to hang wallpaper and has taken advantage of safety training and certifications available within the union, such as boom lift, scaffolding, and masking. His availability, positive attitude towards assignments, and commitment to doing his best are reasons why he consistently works more hours than anyone else.

Outside of work, Julio maintains his physical fitness by working out daily, which helps him perform his job at an even higher level. When asked about the benefits of being a union painter, Julio highlighted the great wages that allow him to support his family and the benefits he lacked during the first 14 years of his career.

Julio shares a similar belief with Rob, last month’s Member of the Month: to truly excel as a high-performance, high-value union painter, one must always be learning and trying new things, and seeking ways to improve from those around them.

Congratulations once again to Julio Garcia for his outstanding contributions and dedication to his craft!