When Jessika Park was hired three years ago to provide mental health therapy for Kaiser in Stockton, one of the first things she did was read the union contract.
“I wanted to understand it better,” said Park, an associate clinical professional and associate marriage and family therapist. “I used to be a manager at another job, and I wanted to see if there were some discrepancies between the contract and what was being applied — and also so I could speak up for myself.”
Her unit had been without a union steward for several years, and her knowledge of the union contract made her a valuable resource for her coworkers, who turned to her with questions.
Park effectively took on the role of union steward. In March, she made it official after attending a union steward training session in Sacramento.
The training titled “The Role of a Steward” aimed to prepare members for worksite leadership and educate them on how to build power
in the workplace. More than 20 NUHW members participated in the event, which drew a visit from recently-elected Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty, as well as Sacramento Councilmember Mai Vang and Sacramento Central Labor Council Executive Director Fabrizio Sasso.
“It was insightful,” Park said of the training. “It helped me understand our contract and rights and how to advocate for ourselves and for other members who are part of the union.”
For Park, a key highlight of the training was learning about Weingarten Rights, which allow union members to request representation during meetings involving potential disciplinary actions.
She was unaware of it but finds it very useful, and it better equips her to assist her coworkers.
“I want to make sure that managers are following the contract,” Park said. “It’s nice to take a bigger leadership role and know that you can make them accountable for doing what they are supposed to do.”
