Two Operating Engineers 324 Apprentices Honored with Solidarity Award at Annual AFL-CIO Workers Gala
DETROIT, MI – Two Operating Engineers 324 (OE324) apprentices, Rebekah Peck and Julia Boyce, were honored with the Solidarity Award at the Michigan AFL-CIO Workforce Development Institute’s Third Annual Workers Gala. This accolade celebrates individuals who exemplify dedication, resilience, and a commitment to solidarity within Michigan’s labor movement. Nominees were graduates of Workforce Development Institute programs to ready individuals for the skilled trades.
“Registered apprenticeships are life-changing—not only for the participants, but their families and communities as well,” said Chong-Anna Canfora, Executive Director of the Michigan AFL-CIO Workforce Development Institute. “We are grateful to those who make WDI’s work possible and to everyone who attended the gala. Congratulations to all the nominees and awardees for their exceptional contributions to Michigan’s labor movement and workforce.”
Rebekah Peck, a first-year crane apprentice in OE324’s Heavy Equipment Operator Apprenticeship program, entered the trade through the Access For All program. After moving independently to Detroit, she gained experience working at the Marathon Oil Refinery and in various locations, including Carson City and Bay City. With no prior experience operating heavy equipment, Peck has already acquired hands-on skills operating tugboats, friction cranes, and hydraulic crawler cranes, aspiring to one day operate tower cranes.
“I went from living with my parents and going to high school every day to just moving to Detroit by myself and working at Marathon Oil Refinery,” Peck shared. “I really like this job. There’s a lot of opportunities.”
Brad Ryznar, Hoisting and Portable Apprenticeship Coordinator for OE324, praised Peck’s dedication: “The biggest thing with Rebekah is she came into this with absolutely no experience with heavy equipment, but she’s had such an open mind and willingness to get better. That’s her strength, and I think she’s going to go a long way in our trade for many, many years.”
Julia Boyce, a second-year civil heavy equipment apprentice with OE324, joined the trades through the Women in Skilled Trades (WIST) program, continuing a family legacy in the construction industry. Boyce began her career operating a roller on the I-75 project, quickly advancing to a rock truck and now an excavator. Her enthusiasm and commitment to learning earned her an invitation to return for another season with Dan’s Excavating.
“I really couldn’t have done it without the help of everybody else around me, pushing me and giving me the extra courage to get out here and run the equipment,” Boyce said. “Sometimes it’s a little scary, but everybody’s been very helpful and encouraging.”
Kevin Tremain, Civil Heavy Equipment Operator Apprenticeship Coordinator for OE324, commended Boyce’s attitude: “Julia came in with a very open mind for learning this. She was the first one to come in here and wanting to get on everything. She’s here every time for training. She’s here early. She’s the first one in class, because she’s passionate about it.”
Peck and Boyce’s achievements serve as a testament to both their individual drive and the success of the OE324 Registered Apprenticeship programs. As highlighted at the Workers Gala, programs like Access For All and WIST open doors for workers from all backgrounds to build successful careers in the skilled trades.
OE324 is proud to celebrate Peck and Boyce’s achievements and looks forward to their continued success as they help shape the future of Michigan’s workforce.
