Formerly Incarcerated Ironworker Tells All, Introduces President Joe Biden

Heather Kurtenbach (far right), Ironworkers Local 86, had the opportunity to tell her trades story during an event at the White House after President Biden signed the historic infrastructure bill in November 2021.

I was released from prison in June of 2005. I did have a job, however, I was needed back home to help care for my niece and nephew. I packed up what little I had and moved.

And so began the rejection at literally every place I applied to work. I could not even secure a job flipping burgers. Once I disclosed that I had been convicted of a felony, I was told no. This went on for about six months. So, I spent my time going to AA/NA meetings, doing little side jobs and helping to care for my niece and nephew.

The days and months were stacking up, and I was starting to feel pretty hopeless, desperate and depressed. My brother-in-law at the time (my niece and nephew’s dad) was and still is a rodbuster for Local 86. Work was really busy at that time, and he showed me one of his paystubs one Friday. It was $1,000 take home. I was like, “What the heck? Could I do that work?” “Of course!” he encouraged.

I had worked for the Department of Natural Resources while I was in prison, so hard work was not foreign to me. I had also developed the soft skills needed to keep a job — showing up on time every day, doing my best, having a positive attitude. With nothing to lose, I went and put my application in at Ironworkers Local 86 in Seattle, Wash.

I waited for about a month and got a letter in the mail inviting me to try out. That consisted of a physical test of packing rebar, using the cutting torch, tying rebar, and a written test.

At the end of that day, my number was called and I just knew at that moment that my life had just changed for the better. Things were going to be OK.

I’ve now been in the trade for almost 17 years and have had other roles in the industry and my union, including first female business agent in Local 86. I have also served on the executive board as sergeant at arms and on the exam committee. My work in the field and as a business agent has been extremely fulfilling.

In the fall of 2021, after President Biden signed the infrastructure bill, my business manager asked me to attend a special gathering on the lawns of the White House. I did not know until the morning of the event that I would actually be introducing President Biden! The moment did not seem real, even as it was happening. It still kind of seems like a dream. But it was definitely the highlight of my career so far, aside from meeting Marty Walsh — that was also a huge moment for me.

I think the biggest thing I have learned on this journey is to never doubt myself or my ability.

About the author: Heather Kurtenbach is a Business Agent/ Organizer/Political Director at Ironworkers Local 86 in Seattle, Wash.