Julie D’Altroy: Electrician & Union Organizer on Building Trades and Sisterhood
Take a break, we’re on Smoko. This week we’re joined by Julie D’Altroy, a veteran electrician with over 16 years of hands-on experience and a fierce advocate for women in trades.
Julie takes us through her typical workday as a residential electrician—wiring houses, installing lighting and outlets—and reflects on the pride she feels watching her projects come to life. It’s that sense of tangible progress, she says, that keeps her grounded in the trades.
“Persistence and passion have gotten me places I never imagined I’d go.” – Julie D’Altroy
But Julie’s impact doesn’t stop at the jobsite. As a union representative, she now plays a key role in membership development—fighting for fair wages, benefits, and better safety standards, while also helping organize non-union shops. Her commitment to equity and solidarity is palpable throughout our conversation.
We also discuss her work with Sisters in the Trade and her union’s women’s committee—spaces where tradeswomen can support each other, share resources, and advocate for systemic change in the industry. For Julie, these communities are essential in building confidence, resilience, and a more inclusive future for skilled trades.
This episode is a celebration of tradeswomen’s strength, the power of collective action, and the trailblazers redefining what it means to thrive in traditionally male-dominated fields.