...You Can Get A Lot Further With A Kind Word And An AFGE Legal Rights Attorney
Joe Mejia, President, AFGE Local 1749
Bobby Cheney, Exec VP, AFGE Local 1749
Shane Blevins, 2nd VP, AFGE Local 1749
Eloy Sifuentes, Secretary, Treasurer, AFGE Local 1749
Adrian Chavira, Chief Steward, AFGE Local 1749
Juan Soriano, Sgt @Arms, AFGE Local 1749
Past President's Benjamin Gonzalez, Hector Guadarrama
Rogelio "Roy" Flores, NVP, District 10

Since December 4, 2004, I have had the distinct honor of serving in the Office of President for AFGE Local 1749. From the beginning I knew it would bring trials and tribulations; however I remember what my mentor, 10th District NVP Rogelio "Roy" Flores once said, "If you take the Union to the people, the Union will grow."

Upon remembering those words, I and several AFGE ACTIVISTS set out for the Organizing Institute where we were able to hone our skills as Organizer's. The Union was on the move, AFGE LOCAL 1749 for the first time in its History surpassed 350 members which resulted in a 100% increase in membership from 2004 -2007.

The next trial would be that of Representation; however the General Counsel staffed with Incomparable Leadership made the task quite simple as well as lucrative for AFGE LOCAL 1749. The Legal Rights Attorney's have proven that you can get far with a kind word but a lot further with a kind word and an AFGE Legal Rights Attorney. The most daunting task was communicating to the bargaining unit how AFGE for over 75 years has been attaining benefits for employees and their working families, from pay raises, overtime, collective bargaining, Weingarten rights and now as the CATALYST against the NSPS. Once again we took the Union to the people and we grew in numbers and in knowledge; thus reaffirming that " you can’t separate peace from freedom; as no one can be at peace unless they have their freedom".

 

My Small Story of Solidarity
Kathryn Kleckner
AFGE Local 1732 Chief Steward

A curious story of a small band of people who truly believe in solidarity.

In the fall of 2006 I was elected as chief steward at my VA hospital by just saying "I suppose" when asked if I would accept if nominated to serve as chief steward at the upcoming election for Local AFGE 1732 officers. Two other persons nominated for chief steward bailed out and thus I was elected by default. After months of knocking on the AFGE Local 1732 door and asking why we [our union] was not holding meetings, our little band of true union devotees has resurrected our small AFGE local, which is growing bigger and stronger every day, hurray! Finally, workers at this hospital( name of hospital) are standing up and demanding the respect and compensation they deserve for working hard to provide excellent care for our returning troops and aging veteran population. Reminds me of that quote:

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead, US anthropologist & popularizer of anthropology (1901 - 1978)


The Mouse That Roared
Hilda Chow
AFGE Local 948 Steward

In 2002, our office was informed that we were being relocated to another office in Bangor. Towards the end of the year, we were informed our office was being consolidate with the Portland, ME office and relocate to Augusta, ME. This history goes beyond two paragraphs. Management attempted to deny our relocation rights and was not forthcoming with answers. Trusted and supported by my 7 members, I led the charge with my skills and connections as a political and union activist (labor council and state fed e-board member). Rocking the boat hard and exercising my constitutional right to free speech I was referred to as the “Leader of the Radical Seven�.

The US Congressional delegation, Maine State legislature, and organized labor banned behind us by participating in a street scene (portraying injured workers, speeches and chanting). Freshman US Congressman Mike Michaud (a dear friend and card carrying union member) led the nasty fight in Washington. The state legislature unanimously signed a joint resolution (non-bonding) memorializing the Department of Labor to abandon plans to consolidate OSHA office in the state of Maine, which I have framed. Management abandoned the idea of closing our office but we suffered ramifications by losing 3 officers to Augusta and crammed into a closet size office (5 people in a 10x42 space with office equipment) with NO windows. I never stopped squeaking and agitating with my members in tow. Two officers were returned to Bangor. There is now a respectable office with windows. So, 5 years later, the mouse continues to roar for improving our morale and working conditions!

 

My Story
Howard Egerman
Local 3l72

The two men in my life who have influenced me the most in terms of labor were my grandfather Max Yampol and the late aFGE President John N. Sturdivant. My grandfather was an immigrant who came to this county by sailing in a cattle boat from Russia to San Francisco.

Two events changed him and me. He became a citizen and a union member. As a young child. He told me that no matter what I DID IN my life I should recognize the importance of the worth of each person's life. He said being a member of a union was a part of being an American. As a child my parents did not get a long and I spent a lot of time with him. He literally taught me the months of the year with his union buttons and would say "Howard it is October you can wear my September Retail Clerks button.

When I left the service and became an SSA employee I joined AFGE because I believed what my grandfather told me that being a member of AFGE was part of being an American and because AFGE was in the AFL-CIO I would b e fulfilling his teachings by being in the labor movement.

By 1988 I had been a Local officer and a member for l5 years. But one man changed me. John N. Sturdivant. I became a part of his campaign and met with others at a hotel in Emeryville to support him. He told us that we can do anything if we believed in it and change can happen if you work for it. I campaigned as much as I could for him. I handed out literature, I walked with him and others. No matter what happened he always had his smile on his face and I felt we could do it. He said we would learn by working with him and we did.

And he won. As a result of his win, I was able to have true faith in the process. Anything is possible if you fight for it, if it is the presidency of a union or in my case when there was a proposal to close my office.

My Local President at the time told us that the office would be closed and that was it. John Sturdivant had left us in 1997, but in 200l I had his teachings. I told my colleagues in the East Oakland SSA office that if we did n ot fight, we would have no office. If we fought, we could keep it. I fought. I worked with my member of Congress and others. I did what John Sturdivant taugbht me. Anything was possible if you believe in unionism. My office was saved. I am grateful to be a part of AFGE, the Labor movement and for mentors like my grandfather Max David Yampol and my mentor President John N. Sturdivant.