Q&A: Pres. Lee Saunders and Sec.-Treas. Laura Reyes

Pres. Lee Saunders (Photo by Tessa Berg)

Lee Saunders is AFSCME’s fourth president, elected in June 2012 at the 40th International Convention. Previously, Saunders was secretary-treasurer. He joined the Ohio Civil Service Employees Association in 1975 and began his AFSCME career in 1978 as a labor economist. He and his wife Lynne have two children: Lee Jr. and Ryan.

Laura Reyes is the secretary-treasurer of AFSCME, elected in June 2012. In 2002, she joined the United Domestic Workers (UDW) Homecare Providers Union/AFSCME Local 3930 and in 2008, she was elected president of that union. The next year, she became an AFSCME International vice president. She has three children: Damian, Christian and Diana Ruth.

We asked AFSCME members if they had any questions for the officers about the work ahead and here’s what they said:

A lot of folks think unions don’t matter anymore. I even see that attitude among my fellow members. How do I convince them otherwise?
—Jennifer Hargreaves, president of Local 622 in Nevada, Mo., and the newly elected secretary-treasurer of Council 72

Lee: Tell them the divide between the rich and the poor is worse than it’s ever been and that when unions are strong, the middle class is strong. Workers earn a good living and get decent benefits and have a secure retirement when unions are strong. Through unions, we can balance the power of the super-wealthy people and corporations that spend billions to influence state and federal laws and policies. They tried to buy the last election, but they couldn’t do it because of us.

What motivates you to fight for workers’ rights?
—Judy Wahlberg, president of Minnesota Council 5

Lee: I talk a lot about growing up in Cleveland, with a dad who was a bus driver and a member of the ATU [Amalgamated Transit Union] and a mom who was a community activist, and later, a community college teacher and member of the AAUP [American Association of University Professors]. We’d talk at the kitchen table about workers’ rights and how important it is for workers to stand together in solidarity. For me, there’s just no better way to impact the lives of working families and the issues of fairness, justice and equality than as a union activist.

Laura: My oldest son was born two and a half months early. The doctors told me that he would have severe Cerebral Palsy, be unable to speak and confined to a wheelchair. But when he was just a few days old, I realized that I could walk around being angry at the world, or I could do something about it. So, I decided to do something about it. I became a home care provider and a union activist.

I’m president of my local. One of the hardest parts of my job is getting members to actually show up to meetings. Do you have any tips or tricks from your experience?
—Michael Torres, president of Local 3395 Indianapolis Public Library (Council 62)

Laura: At UDW, we worked hard to make meetings as convenient as possible. Members could bring their children or their clients. And if they couldn’t make it in person, they could call in. I’ve heard other locals use Skype for members unable to attend.  The key is to remove as many obstacles as possible that stop members from participating.

Sec.-Treas. Laura Reyes (Photo by Helen Cox)

Secretary-Treasurer Reyes, as our first female International officer, how do you plan to help more women become leaders in our union?
—Virginia Ortega, chapter president of Local 449, Tucson, Az.

Laura: In collaboration with the National Women’s Advisory Committee, I am working to develop a Women’s Leadership Academy. This Academy will be focused on three things: education, mentorship and collective action. It’s crucial that we help more women climb the ladder in our union.

What can we do at the local level to bring in younger members?
—Mark A. Square, Council 17 retiree, district vice president for the Bogalusa, La., area

Lee: I’m not exaggerating when I say AFSCME has the best program for young workers in the American labor movement. Our Next Wavers aren’t handed some pre-packaged program. They create their own programs, they plan meetings and they take action on their own. So, at the local level, make sure you aren’t just trying to get younger members to come to your meetings. Make sure you have opportunities for them to lead.

I get a lot of requests to donate money to AFSCME PEOPLE. I thought we already gave for political action through our dues?
—Linda McPherson, Head Start coordinator, Local 95 (New York DC 1707)

Laura: For public workers – for all workers and retirees – the people we elect mean the difference between surviving and thriving. Our wages, benefits, pensions, working conditions, health and safety, and even whether we have jobs at all, are in the hands of policymakers. That’s why we’ve got to be active in politics. Federal election law and some state laws prohibit using dues for campaign contributions and other political activities. That’s why we’ve got to give all we can to PEOPLE.

I am the secretary-treasurer in my local. What is the best advice you can give for someone in our position?
—Lou Maccarone, secretary-treasurer of Local 2881 (Rhode Island Council 94)

Laura: As secretary-treasurers, we’ve got the duty to protect members’ dues. That’s a big responsibility. Across the country, our members are facing unprecedented attacks. So, it is crucial that we spend our dues wisely. Luckily for us, we aren’t on our own. There are procedures, rules and guidelines to help all of us do our job and do it well. And AFSCME is here to provide assistance and help us be the best we can be.

We here at WORKS couldn’t resist putting them through a lightning round:

Favorite book?

Lee: My favorite author is David Baldacci. But he’s written too many great books for me to name my favorite!

Laura: The Red Tent by Anita Diamant.

Historical figure who has most profoundly influenced you?

Lee: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Laura: Dolores Huerta, co-founder of the United Farm Workers of America.

Have any pets?

Lee: A golden retriever named Crickett and a mixed retriever-akita named Tumbo. And they’re both spoiled rotten.

Laura: Sadly, my new house in DC doesn’t allow them.

Do you have a quote that guides you?

Lee: “If there is no struggle, there is no progress.” – Frederick Douglass

Laura: “Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.” – Helen Keller

Connect with Lee and Laura on Facebook at facebook.com/leeasaunders and facebook.com/laura.reyes.798