Linda Bart and Judy Ellul Oral History

Linda Bart and Judy Ellul Oral History

In this interview, sisters Linda Bart and Judy Ellul discuss their careers as rod busters. Bart entered the federally funded Trade Union Leadership Council in Detroit in 1979 and accepted a position as a rod buster with the Reinforcing Iron Workers, Local 426. Ellul was recruited by her sister in the mid 1980’s. The sisters recall their first days on the job and explain the physical and mental strength it takes for a woman to work in such a physically demanding predominately male profession. Ellul discusses how the physicality of the job ultimately led to her going on disability, while Bart too left the rod busters for the less demanding electrical trade. The interview concludes with Ellul and Bart sharing their feelings on why few women are active in the union, the merger with the ironworkers, and general concerns about the impact of the economy on their profession. At the time of the interview Ellul was working toward a degree in construction management while Bart was planning to re-enter the rod busting trade.

Raucher, Margaret; Advisory Group Members

Bart, Linda; Ellul, Judy

2006-02-20