Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, the AFL-CIO will be profiling leaders and activists to spotlight the diverse contributions Hispanics and Latinos have made to the labor movement. Today's profile features Daniel Gonzalez.
At the age of 35, Daniel Gonzalez was given the opportunity to enter the IUPAT District Council 9 apprentice program. Each year that he worked, he gained a significant pay raise and learned more about becoming a skilled painter. After completing the apprentice program, he became a journeyman. Over the past 17 years, he's worked more than 25,000 hours. Gonzalez served as a steward for several years before becoming a council delegate for IUPAT Local 19.