My name is Jackie Awosika and I have just been elected to serve as the next Tempe Chapter President.

I am from Chicago and like most snowbirds, I finally traded the cold harsh winters for the dry Arizona heat.  I was fortunate to have worked for United Airlines close to 21 years and actually transferred from Chicago to Phoenix.  

I chose Arizona for its 342 days of sunshine, breathtaking sunsets and lack of soaring buildings cluttering up the skyline.  Originally I chose to live in Tempe because it was centrally located, offered a multitude of services for residents and was only eight miles from Sky Harbor Airport. 

Leaving the airline industry after so many years was not an easy decision, especially since all of my family was back East and it meant giving up free flights.  After weighing the pros and cons, I chose to work for the City of Tempe.  I started as a 911 Dispatcher and currently work in Police Records.  I chose to become an active member of SEIU for a number of reasons.

The purpose of any union is to protect the rights of workers.  This was true in the 1800s and it is still true today.  The topic of unions normally brings about two distinct opinions - those who believe in unions, and those who don't.

Benefits started by unions decades ago are often taken for granted today.  Unions are responsible for establishing the eight-hour workday, the five-day work week, paid sick days, vacation leave, holiday pay, medical leave, health, life, and disability insurance, pension plans, job training programs, and safe work environments. 

No one questions the right of business owners and corporations to organize trade associations or to belong to the Chamber of Commerce.  No one disputes their right to make a profit.  Workers, whether they belong to a union or not, are simply asking for the same; they want to make an honest living with decent wages and benefits that will enable them to provide for themselves and their families.

I am from a family of union workers.  My mom was a member of the Retail Clerks Union since 1956 and receives her pension today because of them. This group was the first to establish the principles of overtime pay. They are now referred to as the UFCW (United Food & Commercial Workers union). My older brother has belonged to UAW (United Auto Workers), IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical workers) and the Teamsters.  My younger brother still works for United Airlines and belongs to IAMAW (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers).
 
The most important thing about SEIU is that it gives us an opportunity to speak up.  We not only have a seat at the conference table, but we also get to help set the agenda.  We have an obligation to assist in finding solutions that will help maintain quality services for the citizens of Tempe. 

Of course, everything won't always go our way and we won't agree on every topic or every issue.  But as long as we continue to have respect for one another, keep communicating and remain at the bargaining table, we will make headway. 

To make a lasting difference in workplace issues that also affect our daily lives requires a strong commitment.  It takes more than just words.  It takes action and hard work, along with a belief that building and maintaining our union is something we need. It's something worth fighting for and something we all want to be proud of.
 
This Tempe Chapter has success stories.  Prior to the economy taking a nosedive, we bargained for and won market adjustments, sabbatical leaves, increased vacation accrual and additional contributions to our 401(k) plans.  We helped develop the voluntary separation program and the employee priority placement program. 

There are countless other success stories that we aren't able to share simply because they are confidential in nature and deal with employees rights to privacy.  We have trained Resolution Specialists whose primary function is to help employees with a whole host of issues from obtaining FMLA, responding to disciplinary actions, looking into payroll discrepancies and assisting with performance improvement plans.

A successful Union Representative takes the time to learn what's in Rules & Regs as well as in the MOU, along with State and Federal employment laws. We strongly encourage members to have a Union Rep present whenever a discussion with your supervisor could lead to disciplinary actions.
 
You can normally judge a union by how active it is.  In between updating your Facebook status, or checking emails, take a look at our website, www.seiuaz.org or become a fan of our Facebook page, SEIU Arizona.  You will see that we take on a number of issues.  These sites are our activist center where we call on our members to get involved, to take a stand, and stay engaged.
 
I care about what's happening on the national scene, such as the oil spill in the Gulf Coast.  I care about what's happening at the State level, such as the controversy surrounding SB 1070. I'm watching the State legislature and how their policies affect Tempe's ability to deliver services. 

However, my main focus will be on the daily issues facing the City of Tempe employees.  At this moment, we're going through a rough patch and we have quite a few items on our agenda that need attention. I am an optimist with a strong belief in fresh starts and moving on. The harsh reality is that we may not be able to go back and fix every situation or take on everyone who has mistreated us throughout life. 

At some point, we must look ahead at what we can achieve and at what is possible. Another truth is that we definitely can't make anything happen if we settle for sitting on the sidelines, or if we get mad, quit and walk away.  Even if you believe something is written in stone - who says you're limited to one tablet?  Grab a new one and start chiseling out a new course of action.
 
In spite of all that's going on I want to make sure our SEIU Tempe Chapter remains strong and viable.  Every union works on membership recruitment and retaining members. Without a strong dues-paying membership, we lose the power to bargain.  We lose the opportunity to sit at the table during labor management meetings.  Eventually, we lose the ability to be effective, to make changes that help protect workers, our rights, our wages and benefits. 

Even more importantly, I want to make sure the SEIU leadership team listens to the concerns of our members and that we respond proactively to address their issues.  I'd like to be able to visit each and every work group; to put a name with a face. In exchange, I'd like to see more of our members attend the monthly general meetings, and make a habit of coming out to the evening City Council sessions even if you don't stay the entire time.  I'd like to see more participation when we have events at the Union Hall and around the City.
  
In closing, I'd like to leave with you a few words from President John F. Kennedy.  This is what he said in 1960:

"Those who would destroy or further limit the rights of organized labor - those who would cripple collective bargaining or prevent organization of the unorganized - do a disservice to the cause of democracy.

"From coast to coast, in factories, stores, warehouse and business establishments of all kinds, industrial democracy is at work.  Employees, represented by free and democratic trade unions of their own choosing, participate actively in determining their wages, hours and working conditions. 

"Their living standards are the highest in the world.  Their job rights are protected by collective bargaining agreements.  They have fringe benefits that were unheard of less than a generation ago.  Our labor unions are not narrow, self-seeking groups.  They have raised wages, shortened hours and provided supplemental benefits.  Through collective bargaining and grievance procedures, they have brought justice and democracy to the shop floor."

Thank you for your vote of confidence.  I look forward to serving as the SEIU Tempe Chapter President.

Stronger Together!
Jackie Awosika

(Jackie Awosika succeeds Jack Batty as Tempe Chapter President July 1.)