Vincent Ramirez, Local 223
“For many years, our local has benefited from an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) representative — a former member who works independently from the company and serves as a great, confidential resource for anyone in need.
Building on that foundation, this year we encouraged both board members and rank-and-file members to take things a step further by completing mental health first aid training. The goal is to recognize when a brother or sister might be struggling, step in to offer support, and connect them with available resources before things reach a crisis point.
Seeing the positive results of this effort has been incredibly rewarding. It’s reminded us that union solidarity isn’t just about what happens at work — it’s about looking out for one another in every way. At the end of the day, we truly are our brothers’ and sisters’ keeper.”
Linda Lupinski, Local 105
“I’m grateful to have an enforceable contract and all the benefits that come with being part of the union. These include paid time off, holidays, and vacation days, as well as health, dental, and vision insurance, paid sick time, and fair, predictable hours — a 40-hour work week with a set overtime rate.
We also have personal protective equipment to keep us safe on the job. These are things that can easily be taken for granted, but they exist because they were negotiated at the bargaining table. Having a strong contract reminds us of the value of our union and the importance of standing together to protect what we’ve earned.”
Chris Zedda, Local 1-2
“This past year, I’ve seen the results of hard-fought negotiations in our most recent contract and especially value our ability to maintain affordable healthcare, with minimal or no increases to members’ contributions. Having the leadership we do has proven invaluable, and continued member engagement at the local level has been truly encouraging. I’m looking forward to what the future holds!”
Angel Sanchez, Local 522
“A highlight for me was helping to bring the Mobile Home Park (MHP) Project planning work back to our membership. Southern California Gas Company had been contracting out the planning portion of this program since 2015.
In 2021, I came across a management job posting for a project advisor position that listed all the same planning duties performed by UWUA Local 522 members. That discovery led to the filing of a grievance supported by detailed documentation showing that management was performing represented work.
After three years of making our case, in June 2025, SoCal Gas finally restored the MHP planning work to Local 522 members. The project currently has a sunset date of 2030, with the potential to extend to 2045 if the California Public Utilities Commission finds continued progress and safety improvements.
Mobile home parks have shown a 90% acceptance rate in converting their systems from a master-meter setup to individually metered homes. At present, six planners cover the company’s entire service territory, and there’s enough work to justify adding two to four more positions in the future.
It has been a tremendous collaborative effort — and a proud moment — to work alongside our leadership to bring this important work back to our members.”
Eryca Hakeem, Local G-555
“I’ve been a union member since January 2000, and this past year has been one of the most meaningful of my career. I became a steward in February 2024 and, after a few of our members were wrongfully terminated, stepped up as representative six months later, in July. What began as a challenge turned out to be one of my proudest moments as a UWUA member.
Local G-555 came together as one to fight back. Over several months, we raised public awareness by purchasing billboards, wearing T-shirts and buttons, and flooding social media to expose these injustices. Through the dedication and unity of our executive board and members, we prevailed. Today, every one of those wrongfully terminated members is back on the job. That victory proved the power of solidarity and what we can achieve when we refuse to back down.
Experiences like these strengthen my pride in being a Local G-555 member and representative.”