I started working at the lab in 1980as a clerical contract worker. I was fortunate and I was hired full-time after only 3 months.  I was hired in Plant Engineering and have worked there for my entire career.  I was hired as a 500 series Materials Expeditor, then became an Electrician Apprentice and then a Journeyman Electrician, and then was promoted to 300 series and am now a Site Development Planner. I have a Bachelors of Science degree in Organizational Behavior from the University of San Francisco.

I joined SPSE as soon as I became a 300 series and was eligible to join.  I became an executive board member, President-Elect, President in 2003, Treasurer, Secretary, and am now the President-Elect and will be the 2008 President.  I have made several trips to Washington D.C. and talked to legislators on issues for our members and the laboratory.  I have spoken at both Federal and State level hearings on laboratory issues. 

I have learned the power of one employee speaking out and that we can be heard.  However, it is when that one employee is joined by others, they can not only be heard, but actually influence the process.  So imagine—what if we had a majority of employees joining together on our concerns and issues?  That is what I imagine as the future for laboratory workers.  That through collective bargaining, the majority of employees will work together to secure the future of not only our jobs but also the future of our laboratory.

Do you know what the saddest two words in the English language are? If only.  After the transition, I don’t want to hear “If only we had signed authorization cards and gotten collective bargaining.”  So please join us in securing our future.  It is important that employees have a voice in the workplace, and the only way to legally ensure that voice is with collective bargaining.