Flooring For Life

Growing up in Chicago’s Cabrini-Green housing projects, Lonnie Mack wasn’t thinking about a career in flooring. He was approached by someone looking for people in his neighborhood who wanted to work. “When I got in, I didn’t know anything. I hadn’t used a tape measure in a long time, but I knew my measurements,” he said. But an experienced coworker took an interest in Mack and taught him everything he needed to know. 

Seeing how quickly he caught on, Mack’s boss immediately offered to sponsor him into an apprenticeship. “That was my first day,” he said. From that moment, he developed a passion for flooring that still exists today. We caught up with the North Side native and father of three to learn more about him and the trade he loves. 

What skills do you need to get into flooring? 

You need to know how to read a tape measure, and the blueprint will speak for itself. Our blueprint is different from other trades. Everything is already marked down. It’s pretty simple. And if you don’t know something, people in the field will always help you out. 

When people say they can’t get into the trades, I tell them to find a company and fill out an application. Be truthful. Tell them you don’t know anything, and you want to be a helper. Call a school and tell them you want to join the union. Once you pass the math test, your foot is in the door, and you can move on to the next phase. 

Is it hard to find work in your industry?

You have to find your own jobs. The union doesn’t do it for you. If your company doesn’t have work, you have to call around or find a side job. 

Can you work without joining the union? 

You can, but non-union workers don’t earn the same kind of money. Union workers can get close to $50 an hour.  

Do people of color face any specific challenges in your industry?

African-Americans tend to get played. We don’t always get to work a full year. But someone [who is white] will work year-round. I worked with a guy who only worked three months last year. It shouldn’t be that way. 

What do you like most about your job?

I love the environment and the people I work with. When you know what you’re doing, the job is fun. And that helps the day go by pretty quickly.