ETU WA were proud to present a 50-year membership certificate to OTIS Elevators member and absolute legend, Jeff Lovering.
Jeff joined the union in the July of 1974, starting out as an apprentice with OTIS Elevators.
In 1974, OTIS were advertising for elevator apprentices and after a chat with his parents, Jeff’s Dad said, “give it a go”. Jeff did give it a go, and has never looked back
The ETU had a chance to talk to Jeff about his career and union journey. Members stories and their experiences in their union are important to share.
When the ETU spoke to Jeff about why being a union member matters to him, Jeff said, without hesitation, “If it wasn’t for the union, we’d all be working for a dollar and hour and working over 80 hours a week”.
Speaking about his years of service and ETU membership, Jeff shared that a major highlight is being Chairman of the OTIS Elevator safety committee, reflecting his lifelong commitment to safety and his mates at work.
After completing a course in WHS management, Jeff took on the Chairman position. A position that has meant Jeff has been able to help members and workers at OTIS understand the importance of workplace safety; the risks, how to avoid the near misses or worse, the need to report on the breaches and how to work together to make the workplace safer. Safety is a crucial part of how and why we work and leaders like Jeff help to ensure that people can work safe and go home safe to their families. This has been an important part of Jeff’s working life.
Jeff reflects that life as a liftie has been fulfilling and rewarding – no day is the same and it’s never boring. It requires an ability to problem solve and has its challenges for sure, but the wins outweigh the losses.
Jeff has been a valued and respected part of the OTIS team at the University of Western Australia for 32 years, the site he still works at today – “every day I put on his uniform proudly and off I go”.
Achieving high level audit scores for his work in lift maintenance at his site and recognised as a highly skilled and committed practitioner, Jeff is a true example of the quality of work ETU members demonstrate in our lift industry every day.
Soon after he first started as an apprentice with OTIS, Ken, Jeff’s workmate, shared a quote with him he still remembers fondly, and with a laugh – “being a liftie is not a bad job, but it has its ups and its downs”.
A salt-of-the-earth bloke with many wonderful stories to tell, it is an honour to celebrate this milestone and to share Jeff’s union story.
Congratulations Comrade.