Rick Loos

Vice President and Business Representative

My involvement with I.U.O.E. Local 547 began in 1980. I became a union member while attending boiler operator classes at the old education center on Puritan. My career began in December of 1982, when I started working for Detroit Public Schools, shoveling coal at Washington Careers School. Within five years I had obtained my 3rd, 2nd, and 1st class steam licenses, in addition to my 3rd and 1st class refrigeration licenses. My first assignment as Chief Engineer was at the Cooper Elementary School, shoveling coal, running steam engines and steam driven pumps. I have worked in several other schools throughout the twenty-five years of my employment with the Detroit Public Schools, and have many other stories to tell. In the last twenty years, I have helped to educate, encourage and mentor over twenty apprentices. I have also instructed many students at our Education Center.

Since I was born, raised and educated in Detroit, I wanted to contribute some of my time to the school system and city where I have spent most of my life. I serve on the Safety, Staffing, and Negotiating Committees for the Detroit Public Schools. I have coached basketball for eight years at Sherrard K-8, worked with our Head Start Program, Student Council and many other school based activities. I was known as someone the students and staff could rely on for help. Over the years I got to know and help many students, their families and the staff at the schools that I have worked in.

In 1997, I began to participate in the I.U.O.E. Local 547 Executive Board, and in time was appointed to an Auditor’s position. Eventually, I was elected as the Auditor for the executive board three years later. After six years of being an auditor, I was appointed to the position of financial secretary. Though my hard work and dedication to Local 547, I was elected Vice President in 2007, a title which I am very proud to hold. I am also the Business Representative for the engineers of the Detroit Public Schools. This in fact, is an area in which I am especially knowledgeable. I honestly like to help those that I represent and get great pleasure from a job well done.

I have many years of experience in the engineering field, and have worked with and advised numerous members. I have taken labor law classes at Wayne State University, labor classes at the George Meaney Center and have attended numerous steward classes and seminars. I also serve as a council member for the Retirement Coordinating Council. The Council helps to protect the interest for pension issues for our state and school personnel.

I have been married to my wife MaryJane for twenty-five years. I have three great sons; ages 23, 20, and 12. I enjoy bowling, basketball, concerts and camping, but most of all being with my family.

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