Celene Regueira is a shop steward and Jefferson Healthcare Bargaining Committee member. She tells us about how she got involved in being a leader in her workplace and what that has meant over the years:

“I somewhat stumbled into becoming a shop steward during a general membership meeting when I inadvertently expressed my opinion on what I felt was an unfair labor practice. Jefferson Healthcare needed more shop stewards, so soon after I found myself recruited into “the cause” by a veteran shop steward and seasoned negotiator, Don Pruitt.”

This is often the case, leaders find other leaders. The workers that speak up, plan birthday parties, and ask for donations for coworkers may not be shop stewards yet, but they are showing traits of workplace leaders. Celene goes on to explain what it was like getting more involved and sitting on the bargaining committee for the next union contract.”

“The natural progression was participation on the bargaining committee for our upcoming Pro-Tech contract negotiations. It was perhaps 2004 and I recall barely uttering a word during those sessions, mostly listening and taking copious notes on the proceedings. Not having direct patient care due to my position in Health Information Management, I felt somewhat hamstrung by my lack of understanding of the articles of the contract language that pertained to issues such as call-back, low-census, certification pay, etc. Still, I felt a sense of responsibility in participating in a cause for the greater good. Stewardship.”

Celene may not have understood the roles of coworkers in other departments, but she knew hers. That is why having committees made up of workers representing everyone is important. Just as important is having bargaining committee members who have bargained before and those who have not. The experience of serving with veterans is the education she needed to become a veteran herself:

”Prior to contract negotiations, our administration predictably states that payroll is by far their largest expense. The implication is that they know what labor will be asking for. Inevitably, after negotiations are over the hospital commissioners grant the Strategic Leadership Group a round of salary increases; often undisclosed figures.”

Sharing this with coworkers and building unity to stand up to these tactics is what makes the difference when fighting for a good contract. Workplace leaders like Celene are the ones who help make it happen!

If you are interested in training and education to be a Shop Steward or Workplace Leader you can find trainings here!