# @theonion on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DRnigkQiTpQ
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/37387494-theonion-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/5fa7205b15.jpg
- **Posted:** 2025-11-28T23:00:24.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** The Onion (@theonion) — https://gondola.cc/theonion

## Caption

Eagle Cooling employee Brent Festge takes pride in the semi-skilled, blue-collar job he loathes, the 39-year-old solderer reported during his lunch break Tuesday.

“I’m real proud to be doing something you don’t see in America much anymore: spot welding. I work for one of the biggest union-run AC parts shops anywhere,” said Festge, and beat the side of the breakroom vending machine to dislodge a bag of Corn Nuts. “It’s honest work, and I can go home every night knowing that management can’t just replace me with a machine, or a Mexican.”

“Goddamn it!” Festge said, shaking the unyielding vending machine. “Every single goddamn day…”

For eight years, Festge has worked at Eagle Cooling, which produces air-conditioner parts for Daimler Chrysler and employs 460 full-time workers. A member of United Auto Workers Local #568, Festge makes nearly $40,000 a year, receives medical and dental benefits, and qualifies for a retirement pension after 20 years with the company. However, as he goes about the numbingly repetitive work of soldering frames to air-conditioner filters, Festge must struggle to keep these advantages in mind.

“This kind of work is challenging,” Festge said. “I have to stay on my toes. Sloppy joins will get you in hot water with the foreman. Actually, I could do this in my sleep, so what the hell am I worrying about?”

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 33,847
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 320

## Credits

| Name | Username | Profile | Role |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| The Onion | @theonion | https://gondola.cc/theonion | Media Company |

## Tags

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