The L.A. Times has a great story today about how local unions are helping gang members move from the world of crime into honest, productive careers:
Building unions began recruiting gang members as part of their broader efforts in inner-city neighborhoods. [Gang member Julio] Silva was there when the recruiter showed up looking for potential ironworkers.
"I didn't know what was involved," Silva said. "I just waved my hand."
A month later, he was a pre-apprentice, installing printing machinery at the Los Angeles Times' printing plant. From there, he got his first real ironworker job — helping build a post office near Chinatown...
Silva is in the last six months of his four-year apprenticeship. As a journeyman, his wages and benefits will eventually reach $49 an hour.
"My eyes get a little watery, where I was a few years ago and where I'm at now," he said. "It's like another opportunity of life. I'm proud to be an ironworker."
