Everyday Leaders

I was always interested in optometry, because I was fascinated with the eyes.  For many, sight is their most cherished sense.  As an Optometrist, I help people see better, which is such an important part of life.  I also like the flexibility, and working with people.

I did my residency at the Veterans Administration Hospital in West LA. I liked the integrated health care model, so I came to work at Kaiser where a similar system like the VA’s exists.  I like to learn about things firsthand and voice my thoughts.  So when the opportunity arose to become a Steward and no one else stepped up, I was eager to get involved.  I don’t think of myself as an activist, really, but as a representative for my colleagues, who might not have the time or desire to take on that role.  It’s my responsibility to speak up for my co-workers and to try to get people more involved, and I take that responsibility seriously.

As a Steward, I see the union make positive change.  It is satisfying when we can accomplish certain goals, like negotiating a more fair and standardized schedule, with a limit on the maximum number of patients we see in eight hours.  This is how the union helps us provide better care for our patients.

I am concerned about our upcoming negotiations with Kaiser.  We’ve seen what they have done to other groups.  The pharmacists, for example, had a tough time fighting to keep their benefits.  They had their pensions frozen and took cuts to retiree medical benefits.

Our pension is extremely important. One of the biggest reasons I wanted to work at Kaiser was secure retirement.  Most private sector companies are doing away with pensions these days, using the economy as an excuse.

We have great benefits, and a good work environment where the health care professions are all integrated.  Those benefits are due to our contract.  To keep those benefits this year, we have to show management that we as members are involved and supportive of our team and our coalition.

I like working with people, I like helping people to see.  I used to not understand unions before I became a UNAC/UHCP member.  But now I see how our union helps us as professionals, and helps our patients.  We have it pretty good, thanks to our union contract.  We need to all get involved this year so we can hold onto that.  I’m concerned, but I’m optimistic.  I think members will rise to the challenge.

As a union activist, I feel a responsibility to look out for other union members first and foremost. When I go into meetings as a union representative, I’m not just representing my unit, but my
colleagues in other units as well. I look out for all my fellow Physician Assistants.

It was our Steward who helped me become grateful for the union. Without her even knowing, I watched and appreciated her work. She made me feel that Physician Assistants were a valuable part of the union.  She represented one and all in the union, and her goal was to share information with everyone equally, no matter what type of health care professional you were.

I remember what it was like to be out there, unrepresented, without stability. I was in the ER in Fontana when Physician Assistants voted to join UNAC/UHCP. Through the union we came into a large fold. We fall under the big umbrella now, and we’ve got numerous opportunities for that reason. We have a voice in legislation. The union gives us a stable work environment.  I appreciate that even more in our turbulent economy.

I always wanted to go into medicine, because my great grandmother had heart issues. I decided to become a PA because I like the flexibility of my schedule and the diversity of practice areas. Physician Assistant is one of the fastest-growing professions in medicine today.

I’ve seen the supporting hand that UNAC/UHCP has extended to help PAs be real partners in medicine. I’ve seen how being a part of a huge union helps all of the medical professions. So I attend peer meetings, I get involved in improving areas of our work. I’m a team player, and the union is my team.