The voice of the working people

By: Adalberto (Big Al) Olivares

Even before I was elected to the position of Bargaining Committee, I noticed some things that drove me to run for the position in the first place. A lot of our members, both recent and senior, have been taking their Union for granted (I do not exclude myself). It appears to me that people have forgotten the hardships and struggles that their peers have gone through to give them the luxuries and benefits they have this very day. Let us not forget that if it were not for the efforts of our brothers and sisters in the past, we would have nothing today.

I think, as a whole, we need to reflect on our work environment and really start to appreciate and respect it more than we have up until now. The picture may not be a pretty one right now for our Union and the Labor Movement, but we must continue the fight to keep our wages, benefits, and safety fair. We cannot let our predecessors fights and beliefs fall to the wayside, we must keep our heads held high and continue the fight because we are America’s workforce and we cannot let corporate greed drive our great and beautiful country (GREATEST COUNTRY IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD) into a third world status.

So, finally again I would like to say "thank you" to my predecessors and "thank you" to all of you I work with on the shop floor for giving me a job and helping keep this country strong. It is truly an honor and privilege to work shoulder to shoulder with all of you day in and day out. Even though it may seem like new employees don’t care, I would just like to let all of you know this newer employee does care and I’m sure a lot of other newer employees do as well. Finally again, I would like to thank all of you on behalf of all newer employees, and we will try to continue the fight with as many honors and pride as you have.

God Bless America and PACE Local 7-232.