June 2018

American Federation of Teachers (AFT) unit elects new officers

​We’re late in reporting some important developments from the unit at the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). In June, the unit elected eight officers. The swearing-in ceremony included a recitation of the OPEIU oath by Cecilia Chan (Treasurer), Josh Gardner (Secretary), Deborah King (Building Rep), Evey Staff (Building Rep), Joel Linton (Building Rep), Patricia Cook (Assistant Shop Steward), Renee Matthews (Building Rep), and Marcia Reid (Shop Steward). We send our congratulations and support to the officers and the unit! Keep up the great work!

June 2018

Sharon Boggs, Chief Shop Steward
Plumbers and Pipefitters National Pension Fund (PPNPF)

​​It’s never too late to become a shop steward. Case in point: Sharon Boggs began working at PPNPF 19 ½ years ago. She has been an excellent shop steward there for 3 ½ years, and OPEIU Local 2 is extremely lucky to have her leadership. Sharon admitted, "...I was hesitant at first because I knew from watching the previous Shop Steward that the position could be very demanding, frustrating and a thankless job, but with the support of the majority of our unit and hearing the confidence that they had in me, it made me realize that I wanted to be Shop Steward to support and represent the rights of each and every member in our unit."

Here's what Sharon's proud of so far: “I'm proud of the fact that with the help of our previous Assistant Shop Steward Klanesha Young and our current Assistant Shop Steward Kiven Robinson, our membership is up and that 90% of our eligible employees are members of Local 2.* I'm also proud of the solidarity our shop has shown and the support they have given our negotiating committee as we go through the most difficult negotiations I believe we've had in the last 20 years."
* PPNPF is located in Virginia, a right-to-work state.

---

As Shop Steward, always be willing to listen, investigate and trust your decisions. Even if you don't win your case, know that you did your best and learn from all of your wins and losses.

​Any lessons learned? A couple. Says Sharon, "As Shop Steward, always be willing to listen, investigate and trust your decisions. Even if you don't win your case, know that you did your best and learn from all of your wins and losses." There's also the lesson of packing light for negotiations: "The funniest story I can think of is how I learned the lesson to be ready for anything during a union meeting - especially in negotiations. I can only imagine how funny I looked trying to gather all of my papers and leave when negotiations were ended abruptly. LOL!"

May 2018

​Having a moment at the NFL Players Association

​One of the best parts of being a staff representative is working with shop stewards who blow you away: They think about their unit members, they think critically, and they challenge each other. They’re also hilarious. While reviewing management’s most recent counterproposal during contract negotiations, one of our staff representatives was struck by the strength and intelligence of these three shop stewards. She looked at them with pride. One of them noticed and said: “What’s with your face?” Moment over!​

April 2018

The bargaining unit
National Association of Letter Carriers Health Benefits Plan (NALC HBP)

​This month we’re shouting out the bargaining unit at NALC HBP for the most powerful use of a bulletin board we’ve seen to date. Located in Virginia, a right-to-work state, the group did two things: It posted the names of all of their unit members and the benefits of being a union member (left photo).

Alongside this list, the group then posted a list of all non-union members with the message, “Thank your fellow employees who support our union. Because of OPEIU Local 2, ALL enjoy the benefits we have negotiated.” (right photo)

​We can’t think of a more direct message.

Bulletin board list of union members

Bulletin board list of non-union members

"Thank your fellow employees who support our union. Because of OPEIU Local 2, ALL enjoy the benefits we have negotiated."

March 2018

Marcia Reid, Shop Steward
American Federation of Teachers (AFT)

“She’s the reason Local 2 is vibrant, fierce, and solid!”

Our very first OPEIU Local 2 spotlight is on Marcia Reid, who has been Shop Steward at the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) for 20+ years. The email nominating her read, “Our shop steward, Marcia Reid, is our fierce advocate, our compassionate friend, the first to volunteer to organize with the members our union serves, first in line to support those who need it, and always, always has our back! She’s the reason Local 2 is vibrant, fierce, and solid!”

Marcia’s responded by pointing to the strength of her unit members. “I’d like others to know that the OPEIU unit at AFT are an AMAZING group of people, who are very giving, supportive, proud to be OPEIU, and that I love that they have repeatedly shown their trust in me to enforce our contract!” She continued, “I’m proud that many of my unit members still come to the monthly unit meetings and that during our internal election process, many clamor to get actively involved in our leadership roles and committees.”

To all the other shop stewards out there, Marcia offered the following words:

• It takes a great deal of compassion.
• Listen with your ears (and your eyes).
• Form a connection with shop stewards at other employers, so you can help each other.
• Attend the quarterly Local 2 membership meetings.
• Participate in activities to raise funds for the Community Services Agency. You don’t want to have to give a unit member a referral, but when you need to, you’ll be glad that CSA is around!
• “You only make progress by fighting for progress.” (George Meany)

---

Marcia (front row, second from left) with unit members during contract negotiations in 2017.