Can you tell us about your job?

I’m a Family Services Specialist I at the Division of Children and Families, Sussex County. I’ve been there for almost 15 years. My job is to conduct child welfare assessments and provide services and resources for families in difficult situations. Our goal is to keep families together as they can provide a safe nurturing environment for children.

 

And how long have you been a Shop Steward at DCF?

Almost since I got here. When I first started, our unit was having issues with management, and I didn’t like the way things were being handled, so I got involved in the Union.

 

Can you elaborate on what about management you didn’t like?

Sure. Our new worker trainings had very little to do with on-the-job training, for one. Even with proper training, it takes a few years to learn the job. In our work, you need to not only know procedures but also have interpersonal skills, like being able to have difficult conversations with families.

Another issue was that management was hostile, and some people were unsupportive.

 

And how did circumstances improve with Union involvement?

We felt safer bringing issues to management, and standing up for ourselves when we felt we were unfairly targeted at work. I had been in Unions before, and never been a Steward, but I had seen the positive role Unions played there, too.

 

What Union jobs did you have before coming to DCF?

I was actually a Police Officer, where I was represented by the Fraternal Order of Police. I had hoped that would be the way for me to help people. I was a police officer for two years, but I realized it wasn’t the right way for me to make a difference in people’s lives.

I studied to become a welfare case worker and did that job in Warren County for two years before applying to the state DCF.

 

Interesting career path! What are your hobbies?

I’m a musician. I play music in a cover band called PS Xperiment, and a solo project. Our band’s wheelhouse is acoustic rock and 90’s alternative.

I’m also a father of three, and my kids and my wife are my world. Kids, 10, 6, and 2. And I’m active in our church.

 

How do your coworkers describe you as a Steward?

Collaborative and open, always willing to lend an ear. Luckily, my worksite doesn’t require a lot of oversight, but colleagues still come up to me to ask about union issues. They ask me hypotheticals like appropriate uses of leave time, pensions, when our next contract is up, etc.

 

Why do you feel important it is important for public employees to be unionized?

Because they allow us, the employees, to focus on doing our job. Leadership is never going to be perfect, so the unions provides me—us—a layer of protection to do the job without worrying about being disciplined or fired unjustly. I know the union has my back.

Our 1037 Staff Rep at the time I started, Cathy, a former DYFS worker, was supportive of our work during my probationary period, made sure I felt safe. Our current Rep, Dorian comes to our site throughout the year. He’s super accessible also.

 

What do you say to members of the workforce that aren’t union members?

We have a couple of people who are strongly opposed to union membership. I try to explain to them that, sure, management is really good now, but it hasn’t always been and might not always be that way. So union solidarity and guidance is a huge benefit.