Member Spotlight
Peter Hayward: From Customs to Carpentry
Peter Hayward currently spends most of his days doing carpentry work on the renovation project at Columbia St. Mary's Hospital in Milwaukee a far cry from the Navy customs work that took him to Kuwait two years ago.
Hayward was still in high school when he joined the Navy's early enlistment program in 1992. After graduation, he spent four years on active duty and then decided to join the Navy Reserves in 1998. Like many people, Hayward was not very concerned with what he would do after the military. It wasn't until after my terminal leave was up that it really hit me, he admitted.
After leaving active duty, Hayward tried several different jobs, from landscaping to a building supply retailer to cabinetry work. Then, Hayward's brother told him about the benefits of union carpentry. He told me about the good pay and steady work with the union, Hayward said. So I decided to give it a try.
Hayward began his carpentry apprenticeship in August 2002. He had completed three years of his training when the Navy called again. In 2005, he was activated and sent to Kuwait to work in customs for the Navy. While in Kuwait, Hayward worked as a military Transportation Security Administration agent. He inspected vehicles, cargo containers, luggage and personnel for contraband and biological items that would be a detriment to the safety and health of the United States. This ensured the safe return of military personnel and their equipment.
The deployment came with only one year of his apprenticeship left, but the union was very supportive of Hayward.
C.G. Schmidt let me know that I would have a job with them when I returned, he recalls. It was really nice of them because they did not have to do it. When Hayward returned from his deployment, he was able to pick up his training right where he left off.
For Hayward, the adjustment back to carpentry work was not difficult. The hardest part was that my carpentry skills were a little rusty from not being used every day, he said. It took a little time to get back to working at the speed that some of my co-workers were at.
Hayward also noted that his family and fellow union members were very supportive during and after his deployment. He was able to talk to his wife and two little girls every other day or so while he was gone.
With the United States still involved in conflicts overseas, there is always a chance that Hayward may be redeployed. However, he is confident that his employer and the union would be supportive if he was called to serve again.
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