Posted December 13, 2017

Union workers unite to build Temple’s new library

Meet six of the hundreds of workers who’ve become a part of Temple’s history by working on the new library rising in the heart of Main Campus.

Construction workers standing together at the library site
Photography By: 
Betsy Manning
Union workers have become familiar faces on campus as they arrive every day to work on the new library. Meet six of the professionals responsible for various parts of the project.
Sitting in a construction trailer known as the “meeting room,” workers wearing boots covered in dirt and dry mud talk about what it’s like to build one of the biggest capital projects in Temple history: the new library. The four-story, 225,000-square-foot academic commons, at Liacouras and Polett walks, is being built by hundreds of union workers.
 
Meet six of those workers, who have a combined more than 180 years of experience in their trades. From carpenters and electricians to steel workers, meet the builders making this massive project at the heart of Main Campus come to life.
 
Carpenter Gary Hastings
Name: Gary Hastings
Union: Philadelphia Carpenters Union Local 158
Time in the business: 34 years
Hometown: “New Jersey. … won’t say any more.”
Other projects he’s worked on: Lincoln Financial Field, Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia Convention Center and Campbell’s Field
Daily tasks: “As we speak, we’re in the early stages of laying out the framing, walls, ceilings, doors and hardware.”
Interesting fact: “I’m a pretty laid-back guy and I’m a Notre Dame fan.”
 
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Carpenter Joe Burczewski

Name: Joe Burczewski
Union: Philadelphia Carpenters Union Local 158
Time in the business: 30 years
Hometown: Philadelphia
Other projects he’s worked on: Philadelphia International Airport, Philadelphia Convention Center and Microsoft's School of the Future
Daily tasks: “As a superintendent, I coordinate with all the other trades and make sure everything is getting done a proper way, and I help with the layout.”
Interesting fact: “No, don’t have really anything interesting. I’m an Eagles fan.”

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Electrician Jason Cancellarich

Name: Jason Cancellarich
Union: Philadelphia Electricians Union Local 98
Time in the business: 17 years 
Hometown: Philadelphia
Other projects he’s worked on: Philadelphia International Airport, Philadelphia Convention Center and Citizens Bank Park
Daily tasks: “We mainly handle all of the electric circuits. These consist of lighting, fire safety signs, telephones, computers, outlets in the floors and basement.”
Interesting fact: “Diehard Phillies fan, diehard Cowboys fan.” 
 
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Union worker Keith Williams
Name: Keith Williams
Union: Laborers Union Local 332 
Time in the business: 18 years
Hometown: North Philadelphia
Other projects he’s worked on: West Philadelphia High School, Philadelphia Convention Center, Philadelphia Water Treatment Plant and Philadelphia International Airport 
Interesting fact: “I love to dance.” 
 
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Ironworker Jim Bozzelli
Name: Jim Bozzelli
Union: Ironworkers Local 401
Time in the business: 38 years
Hometown: Northeast Philadelphia
Other projects he’s worked on: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia Convention Center and the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility
Interesting fact: “Big Eagles fan. That’s really it.”
 
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Carpenter Kevin Whalen
Name: Kevin Whalen
Time in the business: 46 years in the Philadelphia Carpenters Local Union 158; 34 years in management.
Hometown: I grew up in West Kensington, Philadelphia and currently live in Huntingdon Valley.
Daily tasks: “I’m a senior superintendent. I’m in charge of all the operations for the project, coordination for all the trades, as well as communications.”
Interesting fact: “Big Philadelphia sports guy. I’m a Philly guy through and through. I’m also the son of an immigrant who was a Union Ironworker local 401, and I care a lot about my wife and three kids.”