Denise Perez, of Albertsons 6590 in Ontario, considers being a steward an educational experience.
Perez, a customer service representative in the meat department, said her thirst for knowledge about the union inspired her to become a steward.
“There’s so much to learn,” she said, “and I’ve always believed that you can’t know too much about something as important as our union.
“I’m always learning something,” she said, “whether it is from the other steward at my store, Phillip Meza, or from my Union Representative, Gerald Singh.”
Perez has been a steward for three years and has worked in the industry for more than 12 years. Prior to that she worked at JC Penny and Mervyn’s.
“You can’t compare the pay and benefits to what I have now,” Perez said.
“Also, the union is always ready to back you up if you’re harassed or disciplined unfairly.”
Perez and her husband, Valentino, a 31-year member of the Teamsters who works at a Vons warehouse, have three sons: Eric, 23, a graduate student at USC who works part time as a checker at Albertsons; Mathew, 22; and Jonathan, 18.
Perez said her union-negotiated health benefits were handy three years ago when Matthew was injured in an ATV accident. They also helped when he was hurt while horsing around with some friends.
“He was in the hospital for two weeks,” she recalled. “I don’t know what we would have done without our health benefits. They covered everything.”
Perez anticipates a tough round of negotiations next year when the current Master Food Agreement expires.
“We have to be prepared to fight for what we deserve,” Perez said. “We’ve fought hard in the past to get to where we are today. We can’t afford to give anything back. We must do whatever it takes to keep what we’ve got.
“We need to demonstrate our solidarity and resolve at every opportunity. The more members who do that, the better our chances will be to meet our goals.”
In addition to spending time with her family, Perez likes to work in her garden and create plaques and drawings that she gives to friends.
“I find it relaxing,” she said. “It helps bring out my creative side.”
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UFCW National News
