Public works professionals perform diverse and essential tasks that often go unnoticed but are vital to maintaining our quality of life. The following firsthand accounts from UWUA members offer a glimpse into the diverse responsibilities, challenges, and rewards of working in public works across various municipalities.
From managing intricate water and sewer systems to clearing roads after storms, these workers ensure our communities function smoothly and safely. In East Longmeadow, Massachusetts, Dan Tourtellotte oversees pump stations and ensures compliance with environmental standards, while Luke Matson in Norco, California, balances sewer operations with mechanical repairs in “Horse Town, USA.” In Bay City, Michigan, Tom Fick and his team work to replace aging lead pipes to protect public health, while Adam Groves in Monroe County ensures roads are maintained year-round, whether through snow removal or summer construction.
These accounts highlight the round-the-clock dedication required to sustain municipal infrastructure. Whether responding to emergency pump failures, replacing street signs, or clearing snow-covered roads, these UWUA members exemplify the often invisible work that keeps modern life running efficiently and comfortably.
Adam Groves
Tandem Truck Driver
Monroe County Road Commission
Local 543
Monroe County sits in the southeast corner of Michigan, right on the Ohio border. I’ve been with the commission for seven years, and for the last four years, I’ve served as recording secretary of Local 543, which has 54 members.
We’re responsible for maintaining all the local and primary roads in the county, excluding state and federal highways. That means we patch potholes, grade gravel roads, and manage drainage systems. We’re also the team that clears snow and spreads salt during long Michigan winters. We maintain traffic signs and signals, ensuring the roads are as safe as possible for drivers.
One of the essential tools in my trade is the tandem truck, a dump truck with two axles. Operating one requires a Class A CDL with a tanker endorsement, as some of our trucks transport liquid road sealers. According to our contract, every new hire must obtain both within 90 days.
The job changes dramatically with the seasons. Between Thanksgiving and March, I, along with 15 others, work the night shift from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. Night shifts are generally quiet unless there’s snow in the forecast. We stay prepared for snowstorms, keeping our trucks ready and loaded for action. If it doesn’t snow, we spend our time washing trucks and maintaining equipment. The shift pays a $1.60-per-hour premium, making it a sought-after posting in our local.
When the snow melts and summer arrives, our workload shifts. Summer is construction season, and we dedicate significant time to coating roads. This process involves spraying tar, spreading gravel, and leveling it all out — a project that can span three months or more. Crews of up to 15 people tackle this work daily during the fair-weather months.
Tree work is another major component of our duties. Storms can bring down trees across roads and sometimes branches obstruct visibility at intersections. Our crews handle this with chainsaws, woodchippers, and mowers. We’re also responsible for maintaining storm drainage systems, which often requires using excavators and graders to dig and clear ditches and repair pipes and drain tiles.
I work alongside skilled and dedicated individuals who are spread across different departments — our sign shop, east and west district maintenance crews, drainage teams, and mechanics. Together, we ensure Monroe County’s roads remain safe and navigable year-round. Every patch, every cleared road, and every sign we maintain contributes to keeping Monroe County connected and safe.
Dan Tourtellotte
Lead Pump Station Operator
East Longmeadow
President, Local 169
My community of approximately 16,000 residents, located in south-central Massachusetts, depends on the 28 members of Local 169 to manage every aspect of public works. From maintaining roads and parks to ensuring the proper flow of water and the functionality of sewers, we are the team that keeps the town running.
I’ve been with the town for seven years, and three years ago, we transitioned from being an independent union to affiliating with the UWUA. This change has been tremendously beneficial, providing us with more resources and support. As Lead Pump Station Operator for both water and sewer, my responsibilities include maintaining two water pump stations and 17 sewer pump stations.
East Longmeadow purchases its water from nearby Springfield and sends its sewerage to Springfield’s larger public system. My day starts at 7:00 a.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m., but I rotate on-call responsibilities every two weeks with a colleague. Emergencies don’t follow a schedule, and whether it’s a sewer pump malfunction, a power outage, or an issue at our treatment facility, we’re ready to respond. We also monitor our system remotely through a SCADA computer system.
On a typical day, I’m out at the pump stations inspecting pumps, electronics, wet wells, and often pulling pumps to remove so-called “flushable wipes.” Those wipes keep us busy. Our six larger stations are inspected daily, while the 13 smaller satellite lift stations are checked twice a week. On the water side, I manage a booster station that maintains pressure in the water mains, and another pump station that fills two massive water towers. At these sites, we add chlorine and ammonium sulfate to the water as a disinfectant and maintain the equipment to ensure everything operates safely.
Compliance with both federal and state environmental standards is a critical part of my role. We collect daily water samples for in-house analysis and send bacteria samples to external labs three times a month. Lead and copper sampling is conducted every three years. To perform this work, I hold a Treatment Class 1 license and a Distribution Class 3 license, certifications that reflect the complexity and scale of our system.
Beyond water and sewer, Local 169 members manage everything from fielding resident phone calls to paving roads and maintaining athletic fields. During the winter, snow removal is a collective effort for the entire department. Our team is highly versatile, often shifting between roles based on the town’s needs. Whether it’s repaving a road or responding to reports of downed trees, we’re proud to serve East Longmeadow and keep the town running smoothly year-round.
Tom Fick
General Maintenance Worker
Bay City Michigan
President, Local 542
I’ve been working in public works for Bay City, Michigan, since 2009. I started out in sanitation and streets before transitioning to water distribution four years ago. In addition to my day job, I serve as president of UWUA Local 542. Both my professional and union leadership experiences have given me a deep appreciation for the vital role our members play in keeping Bay City running smoothly.
Local 542 represents 68 members spread across multiple city departments, all serving a community of 35,000 residents. The local has a separate contract for 12 members who work for the Bay City Housing Commission. Our city members handle a diverse range of roles, including public works, water distribution, wastewater management, clerical support for the police department, and accounts receivable. Despite our varied responsibilities, we share a common mission: to serve and improve the lives of Bay City’s residents.
As part of the water distribution team, I work with an 18-person crew responsible for maintaining the city’s network of underground pipes. Bay City purchases its water from a regional consortium and it’s our job to ensure that water is delivered reliably and safely to homes and businesses. This work requires an S3 certification from the State of Michigan for those in water distribution and metering, while our colleagues in wastewater management hold their own specialized certifications.
For the foreseeable future, much of our focus in water distribution remains on lead pipe abatement. As Bay City’s infrastructure ages, we’re replacing lead pipes with safer copper alternatives as part of a state-mandated initiative with an 11-year completion deadline. City workers handle pipe replacements from the main lines to the curb, while contractors manage the curb-to-meter segments. This work directly enhances public safety and is a source of great pride for us.
Although my shift officially begins at 7:00 AM, I’m usually at the shop by 6:30. At the start of the day, our supervisor assigns tasks to the crew leaders. We load our trucks with the necessary equipment and head out. Our crews aim to replace four service lines per day — about 20 weekly. Unless an emergency like a water main break occurs, I spend most days focused on pipe replacement.
As the local president, I advocate for our members, ensuring fair treatment and better working conditions. Balancing this role with my maintenance work gives me unique insight into the dedication of Local 542 members. From repairing pipes to maintaining roads, we are the backbone of Bay City, and I’m proud to stand alongside my colleagues in service to our community.
Luke Matson
Sewer Collections Technician II
City of Norco
President, Local 606
Norco is located about 50 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean, southeast of Los Angeles. Known as “Horse Town, USA,” the city proudly embraces its equestrian heritage, complete with hitching posts outside downtown businesses.
Local 606 has 20 members — 15 in public works and 5 in parks and recreation. The parks and recreation team maintains municipal buildings, including HVAC and electrical systems, and oversees the Ingalls Equestrian Center, a large arena that hosts professional rodeos for groups like the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA). The public works crew handles approximately 7,500 water and sewer connections, 130 miles of pipeline, storm drains, fire hydrants, roadwork, and street signs. Within public works, teamwork is essential, and everyone pitches in wherever needed.
I began my career in Norco in 2001 as a Maintenance Trainee and was later promoted to Water Quality Technician. After a few years, I left to work for a neighboring district but returned to Norco in 2016. Since 2017, I’ve had my current job of Sewer Collections Technician II. I hold three state certifications: two in water (D3 Operator and Treatment 2) and one in wastewater (Collections 4). I also have a commercial driver’s license. My responsibilities include operating a crane truck to lift pumps from depths of up to 30 feet, repairing or replacing them, and lowering them back into place.
I work with the help of the city’s Sewer Collections Technician I to oversee 12 lift stations, a grinder, and the network of pipes that transport sewage from homes and businesses to an external wastewater treatment center. Norco is part of a regional sewerage treatment consortium; while we manage the distribution system, the wastewater is treated outside city limits. Although sewer operations are my specialty, I also help schedule truck and equipment maintenance and take on small mechanical projects.
Norco purchases most of its water from external suppliers, but a team of 10 Local 606 members ensures its reliable distribution to residents and businesses. Approximately 70% of the water team’s time is spent on water-related tasks, with the remaining 30% devoted to street and sign maintenance. Three other members focus exclusively on water quality, managing the city’s two wells and nine reservoirs.
Under the Local 606 contract, we work four 10-hour days but often log overtime to meet the city’s needs. After nine hours, we earn time-and-a-half pay, with double time on weekends.
A typical day starts at 6:30 a.m. After catching up on data entry and a quick meeting with my supervisor, my tasks can vary widely. On a recent day, I took a truck and trailer in for a mandatory 90-day state inspection, replaced a flange on a pressure valve at one reservoir, and repaired a broken latch at another to grant divers access for a scheduled inspection. After completing our sewer system daily reads and checks, I met with a contractor responsible for sewer sampling, opening the site for them to set up their machine for lab analysis.
Together, we ensure that Norco’s essential systems run smoothly, providing residents with clean water, reliable sewers, and safe streets — all while preserving the unique charm of Horse Town, USA.