Sitting
in a construction trailer known as the “meeting room,” workers wearing
boots covered in dirt and dry mud talk about what it’s like to build one
of the biggest capital projects in Temple history: the new library. The
four-story, 225,000-square-foot academic commons, at Liacouras and
Polett walks, is being built by hundreds of union workers.
Meet six of those workers, who have a combined more than 180 years
of experience in their trades. From carpenters and electricians to steel
workers, meet the builders making this massive project at the heart of
Main Campus come to life.
Name: Gary Hastings
Union: Philadelphia Carpenters Union Local 158
Time in the business: 34 years
Hometown: “New Jersey. … won’t say any more.”
Other projects he’s worked on: Lincoln Financial Field, Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia Convention Center and Campbell’s Field
Daily tasks: “As we speak, we’re in the early stages of laying out the framing, walls, ceilings, doors and hardware.”
Interesting fact: “I’m a pretty laid-back guy and I’m a Notre Dame fan.”
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Name: Joe Burczewski
Union: Philadelphia Carpenters Union Local 158
Time in the business: 30 years
Hometown: Philadelphia
Other projects he’s worked on: Philadelphia International Airport, Philadelphia Convention Center and Microsoft's School of the Future
Daily tasks: “As a superintendent, I coordinate
with all the other trades and make sure everything is getting done a
proper way, and I help with the layout.”
Interesting fact: “No, don’t have really anything interesting. I’m an Eagles fan.”
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Name: Jason Cancellarich
Union: Philadelphia Electricians Union Local 98
Time in the business: 17 years
Hometown: Philadelphia
Other projects he’s worked on: Philadelphia International Airport, Philadelphia Convention Center and Citizens Bank Park
Daily tasks: “We mainly handle all of the electric
circuits. These consist of lighting, fire safety signs, telephones,
computers, outlets in the floors and basement.”
Interesting fact: “Diehard Phillies fan, diehard Cowboys fan.”
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Name: Keith Williams
Union: Laborers Union Local 332
Time in the business: 18 years
Hometown: North Philadelphia
Other projects he’s worked on: West Philadelphia
High School, Philadelphia Convention Center, Philadelphia Water
Treatment Plant and Philadelphia International Airport
Interesting fact: “I love to dance.”
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Name: Jim Bozzelli
Union: Ironworkers Local 401
Time in the business: 38 years
Hometown: Northeast Philadelphia
Other projects he’s worked on: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia Convention Center and the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility
Interesting fact: “Big Eagles fan. That’s really it.”
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Name: Kevin Whalen
Time in the business: 46 years in the Philadelphia Carpenters Local Union 158; 34 years in management.
Hometown: I grew up in West Kensington, Philadelphia and currently live in Huntingdon Valley.
Daily tasks: “I’m a senior superintendent. I’m in
charge of all the operations for the project, coordination for all the
trades, as well as communications.”
Interesting fact: “Big Philadelphia sports guy.
I’m a Philly guy through and through. I’m also the son of an immigrant
who was a Union Ironworker local 401, and I care a lot about my wife and
three kids.”
Source: Temple
University Now
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