By Nathan Duke
As many as 1,000 job seekers spent anywhere from several hours to a few days standing in the rain along 36th Street in Astoria last weekend to obtain applications that could get them union jobs as elevator mechanics.
A long line of men, most of whom were from Queens and Brooklyn, stretched down 36th Street between 34th and 36th avenues Monday morning as they waited for Astoria’s Local 3 Elevator Mechanics Union to pass out 750 numbered applications.
Some of the men had been waiting in the line since Friday evening and continued to wait through Sunday and Monday’s rain storms. Many of them brought tents, coolers, barbecues and chairs with them.
“The pay is good and there are full benefits,” said Flushing’s Reynaldo Carter, who was on line for three days. “I have four kids, so I could use the benefits.”
Carter said he had attempted to get one of the applications on three different occasions. On Monday, he finally got his hands on one.
The union opened its doors at 9:30 a.m. Monday to pass out the applications.
Of the 750 applications handed out, only an estimated 75 to 150 people will be hired for four-year apprenticeships to service and repair elevators that can eventually lead to jobs. But the applicants must first study for a test they will take in June.
Union apprentices typically earn $11 to $16 per hour, but journeyman elevator mechanics can make as much as $30 to $40 per hour, applicants on line said.
Local 3’s elevator division covers 1,600 employees, but other divisions of the union represent more than 30,000 workers citywide. The union’s mechanics work on city, state and federal projects as well as post offices, schools and commercial buildings.
Many of the job seekers said it was difficult to find work at the moment and they had rushed out to join the line.
“It’s slow out there right now, so I jumped on it,” said Howard Beach’s Jason Sugranes, who had camped out in a tent with his brother since Friday.
Ann Marie Lausell, of Flushing, said she had waited with her son, who was given an application, and his friends since Friday to provide them with support. Her husband is a union member.
“It’s hard to get into the union,” she said.
Whitestone’s William Santo, who moved to Queens from Abruzzo, Italy, 14 years ago, said he had been laid off from Mitsubishi in March. He spent two nights in a tent along 36th Street.
“When you get laid off when you are 38, it’s really tough,” said Santo, now 39. “I have a mortgage. I have two kids. I cannot risk this anymore.”
Despite the cold, rainy weather, the three-block line remained energetic, with several groups of men yelling out chants as others walked by with applications.
“This is one crazy line, but these are excellent union jobs,” said one Manhattan man on line who went by the name Rob S. “It will pay off in the end with the benefits.”
Jeremy Fernandez and Jesse Freeman, who live on the same street in Woodhaven, were the first two in line, arriving in Astoria Friday.
Reach reporter Nathan Duke by e-mail at nduke@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4566.
