At Local 234 in Philadelphia, David O’Connor is following Dad Bob’s Example of Union Activism

Children learn best by example, and that’s as true of union values as family values. It also explains why David O’Connor, at age 22, is already an activist in Philadelphia Local 234.

Setting the example for almost 40 years as a member and officer is his father, Bob O’Connor, currently Recording Secretary of the local.

Compared to David, Bob was a relatively slow bloomer as a union activist, first holding office in 1983. A variety of union posts followed, including Executive Board Member and a staff position as Business Agent in 1988. He even mounted an unsuccessful run for Secretary-Treasurer of the local in 1993. Later he was on the winning slate in 2002 as Vice President and most recently as Recording Secretary.

“I got involved because guys would come to me for answers,” Bob says. “I was somebody who went out and got the answers.”

Not surprisingly, David cites a similar motivation. “People would ask me for help, probably because my father was a local officer,” he says. “I figured I might as well be involved so I could give the right answers. I enjoy helping people, but I also enjoy getting others to be involved. It builds a stronger union.”

David says his union work can be stressful because an officer is a natural target for members’ complaints. “But for the most part I like it,” David says. “My father set a good example.”