This year’s Fred Hirsch Volunteer of the Year Awardee is Corey Quevedo, a second generation plumber and 393 member. The award exemplifies three qualities:

• Commitment (always willing to show up)
• Solidarity (loyalty to the labor movement)
• Community (service to others)

Corey is solid on all fronts, standing up for 393 members, members of other trades, and the community at large, and he does so with a sense of duty and purpose.

“When I got the award, I couldn’t believe it, because I was just doing what I’m supposed to do, which is helping the community,” said Corey. “I followed in my father’s footsteps as a plumber, and the award meant a lot to him.

“When I was growing up, my dad had his own plumbing business, and he would often work Saturdays,” said Corey. “I hated it because I wanted to watch cartoons, but he would take me to worksites. We’d go under houses and all over the place, and I’d run and get him tools. I thought that my dad could fix anything with a pair of channelocks and duct tape.

“I saw how hard my dad worked, and I swore that being a plumber was the last thing I’d do. But when I got older, I realized it was a good way to earn a decent wage.

“I’ll never forget my first year on the job. It was 1989 and the year of the big earthquake, and PG&E couldn’t keep up, so I helped check gas lines at the houses I’d work at.

“The work is challenging. You use your mind to figure stuff out, and it’s great to stand back and take pride in what you put in. I don’t care if it’s behind a wall and no one can see it, when you’re a union craftsman, you do it right. My dad always did it right, and I got that from him.

“In my early years as a plumber, I didn’t get involved in the union. I just sat back and did nothing. I used to think, ‘that’s just the way things are.’ But then I realized I could have a say and make changes in in the world.

“I started to get involved when Bill Guthrie brought the four trades together for the first MEPS leadership conference. That’s when I really started to get out there in solidarity.

“I’ve been out picketing at Silvery Towers whether it’s been for the electricians or sheet metal workers. We’re all in this together, and if there’s wage theft and slave labor in another craft, it affects all of us.

“I’ve been to countless City Council, Board of Supervisors, and Board of Ed meetings across Santa Clara County. And when people ask me to say a few words, I always do, because it’s important to have our voices heard.

“One person isn’t going to make a difference. But when there’s 70 of us there, you are like an army of people who want to make life better for folks in the trades and the community.

“Finally, it’s my favorite thing to volunteer for Sacred Heart Community Service Days. I was just there this past weekend with about 15 apprentices, bagging groceries. In the three hours I spend bagging food, it helps out about 1,500 families during the week.

“If everyone in Local 393 volunteered, it would be powerful. We have 2,500 members, and even if you show up a couple times a year, it really would have an impact.

“There’s so many ways to help, and by doing so, we keep the brotherhood and sisterhood strong, keep our union strong, and keep our way of life going. Because things are degrading in this country right now, and if we don’t fix things, then who will?

“My advice to other 393 members is to get off your butt. It took me a long time to finally get involved, because my couch is comfortable, and us old guys need our naps after a long day at work. But if I can do it, anyone can. You can help out a little bit or a lot, but any contribution is worth it because you are making a difference.”