Tell us about yourself
GH: I was born in Newark, and live in Irvington, where I’m a District leader. My wife and I have three dogs; a Yorkshire Terrier, a German Shepherd, and a Yorkie-Shih Tzu mixed breed. I like to watch sports, especially baseball, basketball, and football. Outside of work, I’m a Pastor at an online Ministry and I like to do a lot of volunteer work.
As far as my job, I’m a Family Services Specialist at the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCP&P) in the Department of Children and Families, in the Hudson County office. I’ve been a Shop Steward here for over 20 years, but I’m actually retiring from the State Workforce at the end of the month.
Wow. Congratulations. Can you take us back and share what made you want to become a Shop Steward?
GH: I saw a lot of unfairness in case distribution and the number of cases. This was when our department was called DYFS (Division of Youth and Family Services). I met one intake worker with a caseload of 300 children. How can you possibly manage 300 cases? It was bad for the case workers, and bad for the people we serve. So I got involved in my union and had victories in lowering caseloads for workers.
How do your coworkers describe you as a Steward?
GH: A peacemaker who is fair and firm. My approach was never to attack managers, but to maintain a good work environment, but also not budge on issues of fairness. I think my attitude has facilitated good relationships. We have very few disciplinary actions in our unit.
As a Steward, I’ve always kept my coworkers informed and organized their participation in rallies, contract fights, and wearing red on Thursdays as a sign of solidarity.
Why do you feel it is important for workers to be unionized?
GH: Being in a union helps you maintain a quality of life. You have contractual protections that non-unionized workers don’t. And we live and work in our communities. Corporate America needs more unions, too, because so many companies have “at-will” employment, where they can terminate you without cause. Corporations don’t want unionized workers who have rights on the job through their union contracts.
What do you say to your coworkers who aren’t union members?
GH: We’re almost 100% union membership and our office has over 100 employees, so that’s saying something. When someone’s on the fence, I try to explain to them that we have these job protections, step pay raises, and other issues BECAUSE of our union. I pride myself on always letting them know what the contract means for them and their families, as well as when it expires.
Do you plan on staying involved with CWA Local 1037 after you retire?
GH: Definitely. I’m looking into joining the Local 1037 Retiree Chapter.