Candidate for Trustee
I’m Sally Schuster, Chemist at the Product Test Center (Building 5D) for the past 20 years and proud union member for approximately 10 years. Why not all 20 years? Management told me that our job series were not represented by the union and were not eligible to join. I believed them for years until a coworker had their rights trampled and spoke with a union member. That member explained our rights and helped us hold that management team accountable for following rules properly, putting future managers on notice. From that moment on, I have been a member of AFGE Local 62. Since then, I have encouraged everyone I know to join the union & visit the union when they have concerns. Due to serious concerns of management retaliating, I had to remain on the sidelines in union participation.
Lab management is changing again and this team understands the importance of a union and encourages our participation. As a result, I’m running for Trustee. As Trustee I would be tasked with ensuring that all union resources (money/assets) are used for legitimate union purposes as authorized by your membership, in accordance with your local constitution and bylaws. I would ensure the membership is involved in and aware of the spending needs of our Local & being transparency & integrity to the position.
In addition, trustees should ensure that the Local complies with legal requirements for financial reporting, and recordkeeping. My background as a chemist will lend itself well to this. Every test performed has rules and requirements that must be followed to ensure the validity of the testing. Every notebook entry is a part of a legal document which can be used to assist in bringing manufacturers who attempt to defraud the government to justice. Record keeping is an integral part of my job.
If elected Trustee, I would work with the rest of the Executive Board to restore trust in union leadership, and bring real reform, transparency, and financial responsibility to our local.
In my spare time, including lunch time in 5C Oasis, I enjoy knitting and crocheting.
