A Story That Will Make You Laugh (or Cry)

[louis c]

39. Being President of the Union at work for 11 years is quite a benefit

and now that I'm over 60 years old, that also keeps people from getting physical with me.

You have to remember that being a union guy involved in politics at every level is a confrontational position. I enjoy it, and seem to have a knack of pushing the envelope just far enough to keep everything verbal.

It must work. I win elections, have made my points at meetings and seem to have the support of the vast majority of my members. Me and our negotiating team just ratified a recent contract with 12% to 22% raises over 3 years (the first year retro-active), so the union has never been stronger. We were active in the last election, as we usually are, and we continue to run about 90% winners.

I don't make a lot of money for what I do ($50K a year), but I enjoy every minute of it. It's like being able to put into practice what you really believe in, every single day.