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Audio Recording Joseph Anzalone interview conducted by Paul Vance, 2017-02-07.

Audio recording of interview with Joseph Anzalone.
Audio recording of interview with Joseph Anzalone.

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Performance of "Working Man," a song written and performed by Joseph Anzalone.
Performance of "Working Man," a song written and performed by Joseph Anzalone.

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[ Transcript of audio interview with Joseph Anzalone. ]

About this Item

Title

  • Joseph Anzalone interview conducted by Paul Vance, 2017-02-07.

Summary

  • Joseph Anzalone, a 29-year-old Italian-American, recently graduated the program and became a Local 3 A-Journeyman Electrician. He applied for an apprenticeship with his father's support and recommendation about 7 years ago. He details some of the hazards and tough conditions of the work, including the air quality, holes in the floors and ground, receiving an electrical shock, and working in extreme heat and cold. He would like to see safety--particularly issues of air quality--go beyond insurance mandates. He talks about whether he would encourage his daughter to pursue his career, stressing that it would be a good job choice; the value in knowing a trade; and his belief that the union "solidifies" a good quality of life in exchange for hard work. He talks about the learning environment (emphasizing the value of hands-on learning), and the difficulties apprentices face in juggling work, electrical classes, college, commuting, and low pay. He express his belief that these challenges encourage a more youthful workforce, who will make the trade their lifetime careers. He describes some of the skills he has mastered, such as working with big conduits and navigating complicated lifts, as well as puzzling through pipe runs which require "a feeling for physics." He stresses the value in green building initiatives, noting there are many buildings in NYC that could be retrofitted. He aspires to see more of the world and nature one day.

Names

  • Anzalone, Joseph, 1988- interviewee.
  • Vance, Paul, 1985- interviewer.
  • Occupational Folklife Project, sponsor.

Created / Published

  • 2017-02-07

Headings

  • -  Anzalone, Joseph,--1988---Interviews
  • -  Accidents
  • -  Age and employment
  • -  Apprenticeship programs
  • -  Architecture
  • -  Blue collar workers
  • -  Children
  • -  Children of working parents
  • -  Education
  • -  Employee morale
  • -  Families
  • -  Family-owned business enterprises
  • -  Hazardous occupations
  • -  Hazing
  • -  Hobbies
  • -  Hours of labor
  • -  Humor in the workplace
  • -  Income
  • -  Jargon (Terminology)
  • -  Job satisfaction
  • -  Job security
  • -  Job stress
  • -  Joking
  • -  Labor unions
  • -  Manners and customs
  • -  Mentoring
  • -  Music
  • -  Non-formal education
  • -  Occupational retraining
  • -  Occupational training
  • -  Professional associations
  • -  Quality of products
  • -  Quality of work life
  • -  Sex discrimination in employment
  • -  Social life and customs
  • -  Storytelling
  • -  Supervisors
  • -  Technical education
  • -  Technological unemployment
  • -  Technology
  • -  Training needs
  • -  Unfair labor practices
  • -  Vocational education
  • -  Vocational training centers
  • -  White collar workers
  • -  Work and family
  • -  Work environment
  • -  Work ethic
  • -  Work-life balance
  • -  Workmanship
  • -  Youth
  • -  Sexual minorities
  • -  Electricians--New York (State)--New York--Interviews
  • -  Electric industry workers--New York (State)--New York--Interviews
  • -  Queens (New York, N.Y.),--event place

Genre

  • Sound recordings
  • Interviews
  • Oral histories
  • Personal narratives

Notes

  • -  Joseph Anzalone, a 29-year-old Italian-American, recently graduated the program and became a Local 3 A-Journeyman Electrician. He filled out an apprenticeship application with his father's support and recommendation about 7 years ago. Joe details some of the hazards and tough conditions of the work, including the air quality, holes in the floors and ground, receiving an electrical shock, and working in extreme heat and cold conditions. He would like to see safety--particularly around issues of air quality--go further beyond insurance mandates. Joe talks about whether he would consider encouraging his daughter to someday pursue the same career, yet still stresses that it would be a good job choice, that there is great value in knowing a trade, and that he believes the union "solidifies" a good quality of life in exchange for hard work. He talks about navigating the learning environment (emphasizing the value of hands-on learning) and the difficulties apprentices must face by juggling work, electrical classes, college, commutes and low pay. But Mr. Anzalone believes that these challenges encourage a more youthful workforce just starting out who will make a lifetime career of this work. He also believes the career becomes very worthwhile, and describes a number of skills he has mastered, such as working with big conduit and navigating complicated lifts, as well as puzzling through pipe runs which require "a feeling for physics, I guess." He further stresses the value in the industry continuing to endeavor in green building initiatives, as there are many more buildings in NYC that could be retrofitted than are already green coming from both an electrician's standpoint and "as a person." He aspires to see more of the world and nature one day. The second audio file (afc2016035_02981_sr02) contains "Working Man," a song written and performed by Mr. Anzalone.
  • -  Recorded at the jobsite , Queens, New York, February 7, 2017.
  • -  Illuminating history: union electricians in New York City, Archie Green Fellows Project, 2016-2017 (AFC 2016/035: 02981) Archive of Folk Culture, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
  • -  To honor the memory of Archie Green (1917-2009), a fellowship program was established at the American Folklife Center in 2010. Archie Green Fellowships support new research in the contemporary culture and traditions of American workers.
  • -  In English.

Medium

  • 2 sound files (wav) (01:07:52) : digital, sound.
  • 1 manuscript : pdf, text file.

Source Collection

  • Illuminating history: union electricians in New York City, Archie Green Fellows Project, 2016-2017 AFC 2016/035: 02981

Repository

Digital Id

Library of Congress Control Number

  • 2020655308

Rights Advisory

  • Duplication of collection materials may be governed by copyright and other restrictions.

Access Advisory

Online Format

  • audio
  • image
  • pdf

Additional Metadata Formats

Rights & Access

The Library of Congress is not aware of any U.S. copyright protection (see Title 17, U.S.C.) or any other restrictions in the material in this collection, except as noted below. Users should keep in mind that the Library of Congress is providing access to these materials strictly for educational and research purposes. The written permission of the copyright owners and/or other holders of rights (such as publicity and/or privacy rights) is required for distribution, reproduction, or other use of protected items beyond that allowed by fair use or other statutory exemptions. Responsibility for making an independent legal assessment of an item and securing any necessary permissions ultimately rests with persons desiring to use the item. See our Legal Notices and Privacy and Publicity Rights for additional information and restrictions.

The individuals documented by the Occupational Folklife Project retain copyright and related rights to the use of their recorded and written testimonies and memories.  They have granted the Library of Congress permission to provide access to their interviews and related materials for purposes that are consistent with the agency’s educational mission, such as publication and transmission, in whole or in part, on the Web. Project participants’ written permission is required for any commercial, profit-making distribution, reproduction, or other use beyond that allowed by fair use or other statutory exemptions. Responsibility for making an independent legal assessment of an item and securing any necessary permissions ultimately rests with persons desiring to use the item.

The American Folklife Center and the Occupational Folklife Project fieldworkers who carry out these projects feel a strong ethical responsibility to the people they have visited and who have consented to have their lives documented for the historical record. The Center asks that researchers approach the materials in this collection with respect for the culture and sensibilities of the people whose lives, ideas, and creativity are documented here. Researchers are also reminded that privacy and publicity rights may pertain to certain uses of this material.

Researchers or others who would like to make further use of these collection materials should contact the Folklife Reading Room for assistance. 

Credit line

Agricultural Aviation: Crop Dusters in Rural America: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2020-2021 (AFC 2020/007), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Baton Rouge Small Businesses and Trades: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2014-2015 (AFC 2014/023), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Beyond the Breakwater: Gulf of Alaska Small-Boat Fishermen: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2021-2022 (AFC 2021/007), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

The "Big Top" Show Goes On: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2011-2012 (AFC 2012/003), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Boeing Aircraft Factory Workers: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2012-2013 (AFC 2012/036), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Cement Workers in Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2020-2021 (AFC 2020/008), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Commercial Bookbinders: Occupational Folklife Project, 2017-2018 (AFC 2017/021), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Cultural Traditions of Ironworkers in America's Upper Midwest: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2011-2012 (AFC 2011/062), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Dairy Farm Workers in New York's North Country: Archie Green Fellows project, 2012-2013 (AFC 2012/033), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Doctoring: The Occupational Folklore of Physicians: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2019-2020 (AFC 2019/030), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Domestic Workers United: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2015-2016 (AFC 2015/027), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Ethnic Grocers in the Urban Midwest: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2014-2015 (AFC 2013/016), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Finding Roots: Asian American Farmers in Contemporary America: Occupational Folklife Project, 2020-2021 (AFC 2020/014), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Fixing, Mending, Making New: North Carolina's Repair Professionals: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2020-2021 (AFC 2020/009), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Fresh Produce Workers in Arizona: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2015-2016 (AFC 2015/028), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Funeral Services Workers in the Carolinas: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2016-2017 (AFC 2016/037), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

The Green Book--Documenting African American entrepreneurs: Archie Green Fellows project, 2018-2019 (AFC 2018/029), Archie Green Fellows Project American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Hairdresser and Beauty Shop Culture in America: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2011-2012 (AFC 2012/035), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Homeless Shelter Workers in the Upper Midwest: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2016-2017 (AFC 2016/034), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Hope for Recovery: Peer Support Workers in Kentucky: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2020-2021 (AFC 2020/010), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Illuminating History: Union Electricians in New York City: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2016-2017 (AFC 2016/035), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Immigrant Women Artists in Oklahoma: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2020-2021 (AFC 2020/011), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Independent Professional Wrestlers in Central Appalachia: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2019-2020 (AFC 2019/029), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Kitchen Workers in Central Ohio: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2017-2018 (AFC 2017/020), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Midwives, doulas, and birth workers in North Carolina: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2019-2020 (AFC 2019/027), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Multigenerational African-Descended Farmers of the Midwest: Surviving Erasure: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2019-2021 (AFC 2019/028), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Personal Home Health Care Aides in Michigan: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2017-2018 (AFC 2017/018), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Production Potters of the Midwest: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2018-2019 (AFC 2018/030), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Psychiatric nurses in Wisconsin: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2018-2019 (AFC 2018/032), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Ranger Lore: The Occupational Folklore of Park Rangers: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2013-2015 (AFC 2013/014), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

The Ransomville Speedway: Dirt Track Racing in Western New York: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2020-2021 (AFC 2020/013), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Recent Immigrant Workers in Iowa's Meatpacking Industry: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2015-2016 (AFC 2015/026), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Stable Views: Voices and Stories from the Thoroughbred Racetrack: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2011-2012 (AFC 2012/034), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Taking Care--Documenting the Occupational Culture of Home Care Workers: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2014-2015 (AFC 2014/021), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress)

Teaching in Wisconsin Classrooms: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2013-2015 (AFC 2013/017), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Tobacco Workers of the Connecticut River Valley: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2014-2015 (AFC 2014/020), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Training the Troops: Military Role-Players of Fort Polk, Louisiana: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2017-2018 (AFC 2017/019), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Trash Talk: Workers in Vermont's Waste Management Industry: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2018-2019 (AFC 2018/031), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Washington State Workers: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2012-2013 (AFC 2012/032), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Western Folklife Center Occupational Folklore Project: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2011-2012 (AFC 2011/064), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Winery Workers in Virginia: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2017-2018 (AFC 2017/017), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Women Architects: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2019-2020 (AFC 2019/031), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Working the Port of Houston: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2011-2012 (AFC 2012/006), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Working the Waterfront, New Bedford, Massachusetts: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2016-2017 (AFC 2016/036), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Cite This Item

Citations are generated automatically from bibliographic data as a convenience, and may not be complete or accurate.

Chicago citation style:

Anzalone, Joseph, Interviewee, Paul Vance, and Sponsor Occupational Folklife Project. Joseph Anzalone interview conducted by Paul Vance, -02-07. -02-07, 2017. Pdf. https://www.loc.gov/item/2020655308/.

APA citation style:

Anzalone, J., Vance, P. & Occupational Folklife Project, S. (2017) Joseph Anzalone interview conducted by Paul Vance, -02-07. -02-07. [Pdf] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/2020655308/.

MLA citation style:

Anzalone, Joseph, Interviewee, Paul Vance, and Sponsor Occupational Folklife Project. Joseph Anzalone interview conducted by Paul Vance, -02-07. -02-07, 2017. Pdf. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <www.loc.gov/item/2020655308/>.