Cement finisher likes rewards, challenges of chosen career
Stooping, bending, wallowing in cold, mudlike cement and working around heavy noise – all in a variety of weather conditions, probably doesn’t sound like a great career choice to most people. Cement finisher Rob Monday, however, finds his job rewarding and challenging as he travels to construction sites throughout the Northwest.
The pay is good and he gets to use the fun tools of the trade – a Zambonilike hand tool that smoothes the fresh concrete surface, a giant fan resembling a hovercraft and even cement skates to float around in the muck.
Monday takes great pride in his work but also knows how to make the job more fun. He jokes with his crew and, while waiting between the various curing periods required of a cement pour, he holds dart contests in his construction trailer.
What is your job title? “Cement finisher and owner of Rob Monday Inc.”
How long have you been doing this? “About 10 years. I started with Gordon Williams Inc. in the Cement Masons Union.”
How did you choose this line of work? “I elected to go to Tahoe, Calif., after high school, instead of seeking more education, to work at Kirkwood Ski Resort. When I moved home (Lakeside/Suncrest, Wash.), a friend of mine, Gordon Williams, was looking for some young help. I worked in the union for Gordon and learned the trade of cement flatwork. Five years later I started a business of my own that has quickly grown to serving four states – Idaho, Oregon, Washington and Montana.”
Are you paid: (a) well; (b) more than you are worth; (c) slave wages, (d) could be better? “Well.”
What is the best thing about your job? “The best thing is working in a different environment and meeting new people along the way. Every job is different and poses a new challenge every day.”
What is the worst thing about your job? “The worst thing is we deal with a product that is what we call a ‘live product.’ You’re dealing with something that you can’t walk away from and finish the next day because you’re having a bad day or something.”
Do you plan on doing this job (a) until retirement; (b) until something better comes along? “Until retirement – I love it!”
Do you have any on-the-job funny stories? “The one that stands out in my mind was in Tri-Cities. We had just poured out an exterior on a house with a three-car driveway and city walk. When we were done, we all gave high fives and were loading the trailers to go home. I turned around and here is a pit bull with three legs running up the whole driveway and sidewalk. At the time I was furious because we had to work twice as hard to finish it a second time. All and all the job still looked great, and now I can laugh about it later.”
Any bad experiences? “Well not so far, but the more we keep growing, so does the chance of something happening. Quality is the most important thing in our business and has been responsible for our growth.”
If there was a movie made about you and your job, what actor should play you? “Bill Murray, because I was able to meet him in Lake Tahoe and he was a funny and great person.”