Posted August 30, 2006

1. Tell us a little about your background. How did you choose your profession?

I grew up on a cattle ranch owned by my grandparents. When I graduated from high school, that’s where I wanted to be – a country boy working on the ranch. My next-door neighbor at the time, Ken Wood, recruited me to come work at UPS. I was married right out of high school with a daughter on the way, so the thought of having a job with good pay and benefits was appealing.

2. When did you first become involved with a union?

My mentor, Ken Wood, introduced me to the Teamsters. Ken, now a Vice President for the International Brotherhood of Teamsters’ Southern Region, worked at UPS for 13 years before going to work full time for Local 79. When I was in high school, our teachers didn’t tell us anything about organized labor - nobody knew what it was. I was lucky to get involved at an early age. In Florida, you don’t have to be in a union to work at UPS, but there are benefits for those who do. The union is strong because people who join want to be in it. Our workers are proud to be union and we're successful in getting folks signed up when they come in the door.  For my part, I do everything I can to explain to new hires the benefits of being part of the Teamsters.

3. How have the Teamsters helped you professionally over the years?

When I first started at UPS, I was a ‘part-timer’ loading package cars. Today I am a Steward where I oversee 83 drivers. Several years ago, another one of my union mentors, Thor Johnson, encouraged me to learn the company contract inside and out.  I would take it home each night and study it to understand my rights as an employee. This helped me tremendously.

4. What is your definition of the American Dream? Have you achieved it? Are you concerned your children won’t be able to?

To me, the American Dream is buying a home and working to help my children have a good life. I think I’m living the American Dream, but am concerned about our kids and their future. I get worked up when I see others who aren’t paying attention and aren’t thinking about these things. We have to continue to do everything we can to help workers who put in an honest day. We also have to help make sure that workers in the countries around ours' get a higher working environment standard. If we don’t do these things, the American Dream won’t be available to anyone.

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