Trade unions are meant to provide support to their members, protecting the integrity of the trade and advocating for the best wages, benefits, and safety standards. But many African-American tradespeople have a complicated love-hate relationship with the unions that are supposed to be protecting their interests. Sprinkler fitter Michael Sullivan was the first Black elected officer of his local union. But he has felt the sting of discrimination from the union and the industry throughout his career. This is his story in his own words.
My journey began in 1983 as a young man trying to become a sprinkler fitter. After taking the exam, I learned that although I ranked in the upper 10% of the 1200 applicants, my test scores had been lost. I retook the test four years later and found out that they were terminating the list and that I would have to get in line again. By this point, I was fed up and reached out to Affirmative Action and The Urban League. Affirmative Action contacted the Sprinkler Fitters Union on my behalf and threatened to sue if I wasn’t admitted. I was eventually accepted into the Apprenticeship Program and started in June 1990. I later learned about another Mike Sullivan (a white man) who I suspect was given my spot. According to others, he wasn’t too bright.
During my years as an apprentice, I endured racism and discrimination. I heard the N-word. I was scrutinized and labeled as a drug dealer because I drove a Mercedes Benz. They didn’t know that my wife was the youngest Black Senior Vice President at Citibank at the time. One company owner even told me that I would have to work twice as hard.
African-Americans were extremely rare in the trade. After President Obama’s election in 2008, there were 70 Blacks out of a union membership of more than 1500. During Obama’s second term, Black membership dwindled to about 14. At the same time, I became the first Black Union Officer in the 130-year history of the Local. However, I think some members only voted for me because of my Irish name and because they thought I was the other Mike Sullivan. But that proud moment didn’t last. I was out of work and I couldn’t bring in new Black applicants. In 2012, only two Black sprinkler fitters were working.
Some of us decided to research Federal Government and Labor Board rules, find non-compliant companies, and file complaints and lawsuits. The government agencies gave us the runaround, but we didn’t get discouraged. Some eventually took back door deals, but the rest of us continued pursuing our cause.
For the next eight years or so, only five Black sprinkler fitters worked consistently. I decided not to seek reelection as a Union Officer. Instead, I stepped out on faith and started my own company. After two failed attempts, I partnered with another sprinkler fitter to start World Class Fire Protection, the only Black-owned union company in Illinois. We are certified MBE, DBE, ACDBE, and Section 3. We were also BEP and SDVOSB, but my partner got frustrated and quit due to the lack of work. You would think all of our certifications would mean we’d have contracts pouring out of our pockets. But it was just the opposite. Agencies, contractors, suppliers, and banks seemed to have it in for us as Black people trying to start a company in this town.
I stood steadfast, despite several entities trying to destroy my company. Although I am the only Section 3 Fire Protection Company, I haven’t had access to jobs in a couple of years, even though the CHA is regularly putting up buildings. Thankfully, I have been getting some work from Chicago Public Schools, although I was never accepted as a vendor. I completed a federal project, Pullman National Monument, and I’m presently working on a HUD 13-story Senior building under Related Midwest. I participated in a mentor-protégé program with Clayco, and I’ve completed three projects for them. Despite my trials and tribulations, we are still grinding and growing. I’ve worked for some of the largest general contractors in Chicago, and others have reached out to me.
Although the future looks bright for World Class Fire Protection, our struggle continues. One material supplier has consistently treated us differently than others. Some contractors don’t pay us on time, putting me in jeopardy for paying union dues and forcing me into settlements.
But after seven years in business, my employees continuously thank me for allowing them to get back to work and make a good living. I brought on my Superintendent, who was depressed after being out of work. He thanks me every chance he gets. I’m no savior. I just love my people.
I live by the words, “If you can dream it, you can achieve it.” Never let anyone discourage you or try and block your blessings. I’m still learning, but it’s my dream, and I would like to help as many people as possible live the same comfortable life as most of my Caucasian brothers and sisters in construction.