The Million Dollar Organizer - Bob Oedy

On today’s show we  meet award winning author, podcast host and union organizer Bob Oedy.

Bob will share with us the personnel and informative experiences he has gathered over the last 19 years as a fulltime organizer for the IBEW.  

We’ll start todays conversation by learning about his introduction into the trades as an apprentice electrician, his time as a student at The National Labor College, and what ultimately led him onto a career as a union organizer.

Then, we’ll discover why he decided 20 years ago to write his first book, titled,
Bigger Labor; A Crash Course for Union Organizers.  

Next we’ll dig into a few thoughts from his most recent book, and discuss how his podcast
The Million Dollar Organizer is designed to make good organizers even better. 

Later we will discuss what role the Toastmasters International Organization has played in his life and why he feels mastering the art of public speaking and being an effective communicator can help your career no matter your job title.  

And we’ll end our conversation with Bob explaining why union member participation is now needed more than ever to maintain strong and healthy unions in order to protect our livelihoods and way of life. 

Work Safe, Work Smart and Stay Union Strong.

 The Show Notes

The Million Dollar Organizer Website
https://themilliondollarorganizer.com/

Union Organizer Website
https://unionorganizer.com/

Toastmasters International Website
https://www.toastmasters.org/

Grit Nation Website
https://www.gritnationpodcast.com/

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joe@gritnationpodcast.com

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https://www.laborradionetwork.org/ 

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Transcript

Joe Cadwell: 0:10

Welcome to another episode of Grit Northwest. I'm Joe Cadwell, writer, producer and host of this podcast. On today's show we will meet award winning author, podcast host and union organizer Bob Oedy. Bob will share with us the personal and informative experiences he has gathered over the last 19 years as a full time organizer for the IBEW. We'll start today's conversation by learning about his introduction into the trades as an apprentice electrician, his time as a student at the National Labor College, and what ultimately led him onto a career as a union organizer. Then we'll discover why he decided 20 years ago to write his first book titled; Bigger Labor Crash Course for union organizers. Next we'll dig into a few thoughts from his most recent book and discuss how his podcast The Million Dollar Organizer is designed to make good organizers even better. Later, we'll discuss what role the Toastmasters International Organization has played in his life. Why it feels mastering the art of public speaking and being an effective communicator can help your career no matter what your job title, and we'll end our conversation with Bob explaining why union member participation is now needed more than ever to maintain strong and healthy unions in order to protect our livelihoods and way of life. After the episode, be sure to check out the show notes to find out more about Bob his books and his message. And now onto the show. Bob Oedy welcome to the show!!

Bob Oedy: 1:26

Oh, thank you very much show. Glad to be here.

Joe Cadwell: 1:28

Oh, thanks for being on the show. Bob. You're an author and labor organizer, podcast host and you manage the million dollar organizer website. It's a pleasure to have you on the show. I was hoping you could tell the listeners a little bit more about your backstory and how you got into organizing.

Bob Oedy: 1:46

Well, I mean, I started out in the apprenticeship program, I got accepted in about age 25. And worked my way through the apprenticeship became a journeyman a foreman electrician, and somewhere along the line around 2000, I decided to go back to school and went to the National Labor College, George Meany Center. And I got my bachelor's degree in labor studies. And just been it's been fantastic. I just been really into being involved in the Union for many years at work with some fantastic guys broomy along the way, and through the apprenticeship program and try to get me involved in the Union. And it's been it's been fantastic.

Joe Cadwell: 2:30

So how long did you work in the field as an electrician, Bob?

Bob Oedy: 2:33

About almost 10 years. And, you know, it was it was great. But I, at some point I saw in add in the IBEW journal for the National Labor College and I thought, What's that all about? I want to, I want to get my college degree, you know, I that was one thing that my dad had begged me to do. And then I kind of put that off and I went into the apprenticeship. I went a little different direction. But then I wanted to finish out and get my bachelor's degree. So that's, that's how I ended up going back in back to school.

Joe Cadwell: 3:07

Well, that's fantastic. And I know a lot of the listeners, myself included, probably don't know what the National Labor College is, maybe you could tell us a little more about that.

Bob Oedy: 3:15

It was the National Labor College or George Meany Center, it was sort of a was a college for labor people, sponsored by AFL-CIO. And it was it was great place to go is in Maryland. I live in California. So it was quite a distance even traveling to school there. It was a kind of program where you could go there be on campus for one week, per semester, and then you could study on your own at home. And it was something else, it was great. I got college credit for many of the classes that I had taken for the apprenticeship program and things like that. And it worked out great.

Joe Cadwell: 3:55

And it sounds like you've taken that education and that passion for organized labor and turned it into a full time career.

Bob Oedy: 4:02

I've been organizing now for 19 years. So, you know, worked as a local organizer at local level IBEW Local level in Los Angeles at about 10 years, I got laid off during the slowdown there in 2010, and 2011. And then I got picked up by the International which is kind of interesting, I laid off for the local then got picked up by the International.

Joe Cadwell: 4:27

And for a lot of listeners again, Bob, they may not be familiar with what an organizer does on a day to day basis. So what does an organizer do? Well, we

Bob Oedy: 4:35

recruit members into the union in the building trades we're able to also organize contractors as well as workers so it's it differs a little bit from some of the other unions, you know, that are out there, but it's been you know, it's been pretty neat because I've been able to sit at the table with the actual employers and and try to convince them to be you union. And then I've also been able to meet workers and convince them to be union. And it's been fantastic. Exciting, I really like it, I like recruiting, I think I have sort of a natural gift for it. So

Joe Cadwell: 5:14

it's been enjoyable? And what are some of those skills that a, an effective recruiter would need? Or have?

Bob Oedy: 5:20

Well, I organizing is all about follow up. Because you might talk with somebody one time maybe in a, you know, line at a grocery store, or some Give me your phone number. They might not be ready yet. It takes some time to organize people into you know, I thought about during the apprenticeship program, I thought all my friends would follow me into the apprenticeship as well, you know, but you really got to want it and just telling people about it isn't quite enough, they've got to get to know you, there's got to be a comfort level, they've got to trust you, you've got to be a person of your word.

Joe Cadwell: 5:54

Having good communication skills, I imagine is helpful as well.

Bob Oedy: 5:58

I mean, you know, just the simplest things I mean, right now, during COVID might be things are changing, by the way, because I mean, for a while there, it was, you know, it's all about a firm handshake and looking somebody right in the eye and like that, and now we're doing zoom meetings, and nobody wants to shake your hand. So things are changing, you know that the industry changes every day. But we've got to adapt. Labour's got to adapt and move along. We're going to stay, we're going to stay relevant.

Joe Cadwell: 6:27

Yeah, that's for sure. In the UBC, the United brotherhood of carpenters and joiners of America, which I am a member of the organization itself, about 2025 years ago realized that in order to stay viable, in the competitive construction, commercial construction industry, they really had to start moving beyond just skill craft and actually working on leadership development of the foremen and supervisors, journey level workers, you know, within the trades, and a huge investment on communication and those leadership development skills. And I imagine a lot of that's also happening with the Electrical Workers,

Bob Oedy: 7:02

you know, the building trades really are what all of the Union should look toward when it comes to organizing. We've had some fantastic wins. And although it may not be in huge numbers, the quality of the people that we're bringing in, and the quality of the training that we're we're putting on is second to none. And you see all these people going toward, say professional careers, and they're getting themselves in debt with college, all these college loans and things you hear constantly about on the news. You're pretty ship program for me. I mean, they invested in my career on the front end, you know, it's just amazing earn while you learn. Like I said, it's just it's fantastic. Not all of the unions, and I found this out when I went to national labor coach, not all of the unions are really, you know, pro education, and training. And it really, in some way sets us apart.

Joe Cadwell: 8:05

Yeah, that's for sure. Where I work at the Pacific Northwest carpenters Institute in Portland, we often joke that the apprenticeship is one of the best kept secrets in the construction industry. It's basically a four year long construction college, you graduate with a set of skills that will carry you for the next 20 to 30 years. along the way. You're like you said you're earning as you learn, you come out of school debt free with with a ticket towards a solid middle class lifestyle in the US.

Bob Oedy: 8:36

And I really wasn't offered that in any other way. I mean, I can tell you, I went to junior college, I went to a great High School, there's something about that written plan of the apprenticeship the way it was, you're going to do this, put this many hours in, you're going to move up at each step. You know, each semester, whatever you want to call it, it was just so well written out for me and it was a written plan. You know, and whenever you have a written plan, you're doing much better than anybody else. So it was fantastic. And like I said, I was so excited about the apprenticeship. I mean right off the bat I knew getting in that wow, this is going to be something fantastic. And like I said, I try to go through all my friends and hidden relatives. Most of them didn't follow me but I surpass their pay very quickly knows I although I you know, I took a pay cut to get into you, which is pretty interesting, but I made up for it really quick.

Joe Cadwell: 9:37

I like to explain to a lot of the divers because as a lot of folks listening know I was a commercial diver for over 30 years. And I talked to a lot of the divers coming straight out of commercial dive school now and entering our union and wanting to go straight into making the journey level scale and not really having the skills to be able to pull off that $90 to $100 an hour. You know where And so we encourage them to, to come in as pile drivers into the program and learn the top side skills. And often liken it to them, you know, thinking of playing chess as opposed to checkers. It's the long game, it's the long strategy that you have to play in order to make a successful career in the tray, right. And it sounds like someone like yourself has definitely invested a lot into your education and your ability to communicate and understand the the game. So the game of bringing people in of showing them a better way in through the trades, as inspired you to write two different books the the first one that came out in 2008, called bigger labor, a crash course for construction union organizers. How did that come about? Bob, how did you decide you wanted to write a book?

Bob Oedy: 10:47

Well, I started writing it about five years in, I thought to myself, if I could just last and the job of an organizer for five years? Well, I'd really, I'd probably master it, you know. And so I started, you know, writing down notes, taking, taking notes, talking to people getting all the different information. When I was at the National Labor college, there was a gentleman named shostack. And he had a book, and I thought to myself, I saw him at the National Labor college, out front of the library with a little card table there. And he had his book. And I, of course, I bought his book, and he was talking about using computers for organizing and taking you back 20 years out, that's that was pretty far fetched, though, at the time, you know, it was like he was, he was thinking out there, you know. And I just thought, Well, I'd like to write a book someday. And I bet I could help people. The thing is, is after you got your own, your your car and your your own house, and you take care of your own family start looking at, what else can I do? What else can I contribute? And I started thinking, hey, if I had a book written about organizing, it could probably help a lot of people and I think it has, and it's been, it's been a great experience.

Joe Cadwell: 12:03

Yeah, I appreciate having the opportunity to look through the book. And I do see that, you know, the using computers to organize must have been sort of revolutionary back then. Yeah, but also notice you, you talked about the green construction, organizing, and sort of prophesized, you know, the, the beginning of the the green movement and construction as well,

Bob Oedy: 12:25

right, I think we sort of led the field in that way. And I and I just saw it coming and thought, Hey, this is this is something that we should consider, you know, moving forward, and it's going to be a big part of the industry. And, and then I did write a book called The green career ladder. It's amazing all the opportunities out there. And it's also there, it's interesting to me the need, because there was a time when you'd get a job as an organizer, they'd hand you the keys tell you where your jurisdiction was, and tell you to go out and organize. And it's like, what does that even mean? You know, we're How do you so I break everything down two steps, start here. And, and, and here's how you can go about the process. And it's helped out a lot of people I've heard from organizers all over the country and Canada and gotten some great response and great feedback from it. And here it is, all these years laters. It's still selling I sold 10 copies this morning, which I was just tickled about. Because I mean, you know, it's got sort of a long tail just keeps going.

Joe Cadwell: 13:29

It seems like it's a blueprint for survival for for new and established organizers, which is, by all means one of the more thankless jobs, I think, in the US and in the Union folks really, really do put a tremendous amount of energy and other people's best interest in mind when they take on that job. And sometimes they do take a pay cut in order to support their brothers and sisters working in the trades. And oftentimes, oftentimes they are not given the the the skills is sort of again, learning as you go type of structure. So I think a book like bigger labor really does hit the mark. And it was about 12 years later, when you came out with what I first became introduced to you through with the Million Dollar Organizer. So that book with its 365 tips, a tip of every for every day for a union organizer, how did you come up with the with that

Bob Oedy: 14:25

I just started putting together information. I liked the name because I had looked at my Social Security statement and realized that Wow, I've made well over a million dollars as a as a union organizer. Who would have thought you know, I mean, it's not a job that people get into to make money. But it's a good career. If you think about it, if you if you've got the skills and you got the interest in it. It's worth pursuing. And I wanted to encourage people to think of organizing as a career because the average organizer, at least in ninth District, which is Southern California and Nevada like that down in my area. And we did a survey a few years back, and found out that the average organizer only lasted 2.3 years. So you really can't master anything in 2.3 years. I mean, if you get if you decide you want to, you know, follow karate, and you want to get a black belt, it takes you a good four or five years, you want to go get a college degree, it takes at least four years. So it takes a good time to a good length of time to master anything. And if you're going to master organizing, it's going to take at least five years, maybe 10, some skills that you can get along the way and things that you should pay attention to. So I put it all together in a book. And it's been a lot of fun.

Joe Cadwell: 15:51

So in your opinion, why do you think there is such a high attrition rate with organizers, new organizers leaving?

Bob Oedy: 15:58

Yeah, there's a lot of pressure, there's really a lot of pressure on organizers. And people put a lot of pressure on themselves. It takes time to organize a group of workers. And it's not something that I mean, I remember I was gonna, I had made up my mind I was driving in on my first day on the job, I had convinced myself I was going to sign a contract or on day one. I got myself all pumped up, driving into work, I was I was listening to a tape by Tony Robbins, and I was driving, I was fired up, you know, going to fill it fill out the paperwork and go sign my first shop. And that didn't happen for quite a while. But when you know, when I finally did sign a shop and that, okay, it can be done, you know, it's not impossible. Went on the site, many shops and but there's no, there's almost no way you're going to do on a first day, first week, first month, it takes time, it really does. And sometimes it takes years. And you just got to stick with it, you got to stay in touch with the workers. An d you've got to do the follow up.

Joe Cadwell: 17:02

And taking it right out of your book. Tip number two know why we organize. So why do we organize?

Bob Oedy: 17:09

Well, it's it's all about the strength of the Union, we have to bring in new people because we've got people retiring and dying and moving on to other careers. We're in competition, if you will, with the colleges, and they're their recruiting as well, as all the professional jobs out there, we've got to keep good quality people coming into the union. And we've got to train them. And we've got to put them out there to work and we need them to stick around. And if you're going to stick around, you know, I've, I've been a member now my Union for 32 years, okay? Now, a lot of people when they start the job, they don't think, Hey, I'm going to be here for 32 years. And I certainly didn't myself, I didn't think I'd be around this long I intended to retire after about 20. And here I am still still working, I could retire any you know, if I want, I've got the hours, we've got to keep the union strong by bringing in new blood and keeping people very active and excited about

Joe Cadwell: 18:13

it's a movement that is for sure. And there's not too many jobs where again, you can come straight off the off the street, get accepted into an apprenticeship program, start making a livable wage after a certain number of hours providing medical benefits for not only the member but their family as well. Having access to training, safer working conditions representation and like you say at some point, the possibility of a pension or retirement with dignity. So the unions really do provide so many benefits that it's amazing that we have to sell that organizers have to sell the union to anyone at all You think they'd be beaten down the door?

Bob Oedy: 18:50

Yeah, I in a way I don't recommend selling the union. That's the thing. It's kind of like it's almost they've got to see you. And they've got to believe in what in the lifestyle you know, and the whole the whole thing. But yeah, I selling I don't I don't like to think of myself as a sell as selling because I don't want to be thought of as a used car salesman. But But you're right, you've got to tell people, I mean, you've got to get the word out there. And we've we haven't always done a great job of that.

Joe Cadwell: 19:20

For sure. They've got to hear the message. So and part of your getting the message out is you have a podcast, which is known as the million dollar organizer podcast and what can you tell our listeners about your podcast?

Bob Oedy: 19:33

Well, I just it's very brief. I usually have an episode there are only three to five minutes and I give tips to union organizers specifically so my audience is union organizers and people that want to make it into a career and so it's really career union organizers. So it's a it's a nice, you know, there's there's not a it's not a huge audience that I'm trying to reach out to but Basically the top 1% of union organizers. That's who I want to be.

Joe Cadwell: 20:06

Oh, there you go. Some of the tips. I've listened to a few episodes of your podcast as well and some of them come straight out of your book, and one of them being Toastmasters and getting more comfortable with your your public speaking. And how does how to Toastmasters play into your career?

Bob Oedy: 20:22

Well, you know, my dad had been trying to talk me into Toastmasters since I was about 18 years old. And of course, I you know, like most things my dad recommended, I didn't always listen, you know, but years later, as an organizer, I realized, wow. If I want to be training other organizers, if I want to be really effective talking to the members, I've got to get some practice in. And the best place to do it is in a Toastmaster environment. You join Toastmasters to practice public speaking. And it's been great time, you also learn a lot about leadership. In Toastmasters, there's sort of a communication track. And then there's a leadership track. And I've won a few awards, which, which would be great. Like the division governor of the year, I won that award. I just sponsored a club and won another award. New club sponsor, and that was kind of exciting as well. So it's, it's been a great opportunity to just get out there and practice, basically practice public speaking,

Joe Cadwell: 21:35

I'd have to agree when I first became a delegate for my local some some years ago, that was one of the first opportunities that I had to truly work on my public speaking is when I joined Toastmasters. And I didn't know what to expect when I went into my first meeting. And I think you had mentioned that one of your podcasts that a lot of people actually leave they the fear of public speaking is so great that a lot of people will, with the best intentions walk into the room, even having to introduce themselves does enough damage to their nerves that they end up leaving at that point, but I stuck it through and realize that, yeah, the the the ability to get up and and express yourself comfortably, confidently, succinctly is, is a great skill to have, especially again, we're not trying to sell people into the benefits of the Union, but explain to them in a very clear fashion, what it means to be a union member. And I think Toastmasters fits in nicely.

Bob Oedy: 22:31

You know, there's, there's things that you can learn from Toastmasters that will help you in business will help you on the job, it'll help you with family members. I mean, it's it can be used almost anywhere. But if you're going to be a union organizer, you are going to be thrown in no feet into the fire. On occasion. As far as public speaking, you're going to need to get up in front of the city council at times, you're going to need to talk to the mayor, you're going to be in meetings, and somebody's going to say Bob, what do you think, you know, just pass the mic over to you and you got to be ready to go. And Toastmasters has, has all kinds of great training that they can do to help you. And you can practice in an environment that's fun, and you'll get a lot out of it. So yeah, I recommend Toastmasters. And I know a few locals that because you know I've recommended Toastmasters have started postmaster groups in their own locals, which is fantastic for the labor movement. We need more people who can get up, grab the mic, and be succinct and get the word out.

Joe Cadwell: 23:36

That's for sure. The old days of just sort of grunting and pointing and expecting people to to read your mind and know what needs to be done or gone in today's professional construction industry. taking it out of your book as well. One of my favorite quotes, it's always better to ask forgiveness than for permission. And how did you come up with that? That's, that's one of your 365 tips for an organizer. What do you mean by that?

Bob Oedy: 24:01

There are times when you're going to have to sort of stretch the envelope so to speak. Um, for example, in in California, you know, I will walk on a construction site and no, introduce myself to workers. I don't ask permission to be there, I just do it, you know, and there's there's going to be times when the people above you are going to be a little bit nervous. What you're doing and you just got to kind of go for it and, and bigger. You'll you'll apologize later if the situation comes up. And it often does

Joe Cadwell: 24:38

always do the right thing for the right reason. And you're you'll usually work out pretty well. I also noticed a tip called putting your ego in check and what does that mean to you by putting your ego in check?

Bob Oedy: 24:49

Well, you know, I heard I heard this morning. I can't remember the name of the study, but there's, most people think that they're better than than they really are.

Joe Cadwell: 25:00

And that's the Dunning Kruger effect.

Bob Oedy: 25:03

That's it right there. Exactly. And we thought it'd be aware of that, you know, going in, sometimes we have to kind of check ourselves, you know, union organizing, it can be a very humbling experience, it really is. Because you're working with people, you're going into their homes, often sitting down, you know, you, you knock on some workers door, you want to talk to them, you're gonna, they're gonna invite you in, you know, they're gonna offer you a beer, you're gonna sit down in their couch in their work environment. And, you know, it can be a humbling experience, it really can. And you're going to have losses. That's another thing, I tell you what, there's nothing worse than losing an organizing campaign. And if you're going to be organizing for any length of time, you're going to have losses, and it's pretty tough when you're there. They're counting the ballots out. And they're putting the pile their yeses in the nose there and the nose pile is a little higher than the yeses. And wow, I'll tell you, it can be a humbling experience. So yeah, you've got to have your ego in check.

Joe Cadwell: 26:06

Conversely, on the winds, you also want to be humble in that extent, as well, I read in your the million dollar organizer book, when you you did suffer one of those losses. And as you were leaving, there was someone there who kind of took the the opportunity to dig a knife and a little bit deeper, and instead tell you what a horrible day, it must be for you. And fortunately, that person's boss was there and kind of check, check that individual.

Bob Oedy: 26:29

and I appreciate it, I respect him for doing that. Actually, you know, because that was a tough loss, we really were out there, you know, that they had the election at the shop. on payday. You couldn't have worse, worse scenario than that, you know, become the workers, the boss cuts everybody have a fat check, you know, and then and now they're going to vote whether to go union or not. And you got to keep that in mind. That's that's something for organizers to keep in mind is, is the the boss is the one that signs the checks. So he's got a certain amount of sway. And it's it's hard to overcome that at times.

Joe Cadwell: 27:09

That's for sure. You knew something was up that day, because none of the the people you've been trying to organize with look in the eye.

Bob Oedy: 27:15

Nobody, I walked in the parking lot and was like, well, what's going on? It doesn't look right.

Joe Cadwell: 27:23

So for someone who's potentially listening to this now, and thanks, well shoot, you know, a job as an organizer might be a, a career path for me, what would you say the top three things that an organizer could can bring into their bring into the game?

Bob Oedy: 27:38

Well, I really think you have to be an active union member, I mean, you really shouldn't be showing up at your union meetings, they have to see you, they have to have to have a certain comfort level with you. So you need to volunteer as much as you can. You can get involved in any of the presidential campaigns or any of the other campaigns that are coming up, stay active. You know, make sure your dues are paid up sillier things, though, too. I mean, you should be driving an American car. If you're gonna if you're gonna show up in IKEA, you surprised you probably not going to get hired on as a union organizer. Now maybe I'm talking about the building trades, specifically. But yeah, you've got to drive an American car, you've got to show up. You've got to be active, active. No, let people know that you want to organize. And if you do, and, like I said, if you're an active union member, don't get the chance.

Joe Cadwell: 28:31

That sounds like you have to bring a lot of passion to the game.

Bob Oedy: 28:34

And I really wanted to be an organizer. I went to school for it. But that's, you know, sometimes, sometimes I do things the hard way, you know, you don't necessarily have to put yourself through college, become a union organizer, let your business manager your business agent. Let them know that you have an interest in recruiting that know that your diehard union member and you're interested in bringing in members and you'd be surprised they'll find something cool.

Joe Cadwell: 29:04

Well Bob Bodie, this has been a fantastic conversation where can our listeners go to find out more about you and the million dollar organizer?

Bob Oedy: 29:11

Well, I've got a website union organizer.com. Another way you can follow me is on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at union organizer and those listen to my podcasts and really appreciate it if you would like all my posts and I'll follow you back.

Joe Cadwell: 29:30

I'll make sure to add all those links to the show notes again, Bob Oedy thank you so much for your time. Our guest today has been Bob Oedy author and host of the Million Dollar Organizer podcast. For more information on Bob, his books and his podcast, be sure to check out the show notes for this episode. And if you haven't already done so please join the grit Nation now. Not only will you be kept up to date on issues relevant to your life and career, but you also be entered to win an official hi viz "I've Got Grit" t shirt when you do. Grit Northwest is now a member of the Labor Radio / Podcast etwork. For more information on this coalition of labor pecific podcast and radio show, visit laborradionetwork.org Well, that wraps up this edition of Grit Northwest. Until next time, this is Joe Cadwell reminding you to work safe, work smart and stay union strong.