Michael LaTrace interview conducted by Jaime Lopez, 2017-06-06
LaTrace, Michael,
interviewee
Lopez, Jaime,
1986-
interviewer
Occupational Folklife Project,
sponsor
sound recording-nonmusical
spoken word
still image
Sound recordings.
Digital photographs-Color-2010-2020.
Interviews.
Oral histories.
Personal narratives.
nyu
2017
monographic
2017-06-06
eng
1 sound file (wav) (00:54:42) : digital, sound.
7 photographs : digital, jpg, color.
1 manuscript : pdf, text file.
Initiated into Local Union #3 in 1975, Michael LaTrace is currently the General Foreman at 2 Penn and 1 Penn Plaza in Midtown Manhattan. Born in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, Michael recalls his neighborhood and his early school days at Our Lady of Mount Carmel. He talks about his vegetable garden; his earlier jobs as a lifeguard, a milkman, mozzarella cheese maker, and sorting construction material at his family contracting business. His Uncle John LaTrace, a Bell Telephone worker, convinced Michael to join the apprenticeship program. He expresses gratitude for Harry Van Arsdale Jr. and Local 3 and is amazed that, after 42 years in the business, he still learns something new everyday. Michael talks about a longtime partner and good friend, Tommy Pellattere, how much he learned from him, and how Tommy is "pound for pound, the greatest journeyman in Local 3." He tells stories about the installation work they did and their adventures. He discusses how improvements in safety on the job site are a welcome change; the harsh deadlines General Contractors impose on workers today; improvements in tools--the battery-powered mini-bandsaw is his favorite. Drawing on his long career, he recounts some fabulous tales, including working at John Lenon's apartment; being the first Local 3 apprentice ever to go on furlough; almost winning the life saving award; and working at Studio 54 at the height of disco. Nearing retirement (on 09/01/2017), his self-proclaimed humorous titles include "Biggest calves in Local #3," "King of Electricity," first to use the whistle in the disco, and first to wear his baseball cap backwards.
Collection is open for research. To request materials, please contact the Folklife Reading Room at
Duplication of collection materials may be governed by copyright and other restrictions.
Interviewers notes- Mike LaTrace and I have worked together for over a decade in the Madison Square Garden area, and because of that special bond that we have built, it was particularly difficult NOT to ask him to retell the stories I have heard dozens of times before, and love hearing again. I have watched Mike accomplish some amazing things during our time together. He has taught me worlds about this electrical industry and more importantly the power of humor, always making space to smile in our demanding jobs. Thank you Mike for being a great role model and teacher throughout the years, I'm going to miss you buddy! -Jaime Lopez
Recorded at the Union's office at Penn Plaza, Manhattan, New York, June 6, 2017.
Illuminating history: union electricians in New York City, Archie Green Fellows Project, 2016-2017 (AFC 2016/035: 03627) Archive of Folk Culture, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
To honor the memory of Archie Green (1917-2009), a fellowship program was established at the American Folklife Center in 2010. Archie Green Fellowships support new research in the contemporary culture and traditions of American workers.
In English.
n-us-ny
LaTrace, Michael
Interviews
Accidents
Apprenticeship programs
Blue collar workers
Courtesy in the workplace
Education
Employee morale
Employee ownership
Employees
Employees
Training of
Families
Handicraft
Hazardous occupations
Hobbies
Humor in the workplace
Income
Jargon (Terminology)
Job satisfaction
Job security
Job stress
Joking
Labor unions
Manners and customs
Mentoring
Music
Non-formal education
Occupational therapy
Occupational training
Oral tradition
Part-time employment
Performance standards
Practical jokes
Promotions
Quality of products
Quality of work life
Retirement
Social life and customs
Storytelling
Supervisors
Technical education
Technology
Training needs
Unfair labor practices
Vocational education
Vocational interests
Wages
Work and family
Work environment
Work ethic
Work-life balance
Workmanship
Youth
Electricians
New York (State)
New York
Interviews
Electric industry workers
New York (State)
New York
Interviews
Manhattan (New York, N.Y.)
Library of Congress Archive of Folk Culture, American Folklife Center, 101 Independence Ave. S.E., Washington, DC USA 20540-4610
http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.afc/folklife.home
http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.afc/afc2016035.afc2016035_03627_sr01
Illuminating history: union electricians in New York City, Archie Green Fellows Project, 2016-2017
(DLC) 2017655426
AFC 2016/035: 03627
2020655322
hdl:loc.afc/afc2016035.afc2016035_03627_sr01
dacs
DLC
200122
20200123173106.0
21397613
Converted from MARCXML to MODS version 3.8 using MARC21slim2MODS3-8_XSLT1-0.xsl
(Revision 1.172 20230208)
eng