Nearly two decades ago, Jesse Aranda stood at a crossroads. At the time, he was what many referred to as a “fair share” employee—disillusioned, disengaged, and ready to walk away from union involvement altogether. But a pivotal moment changed everything.
After returning from a weekend, Jesse was unexpectedly confronted by management, accused of organizing kitchen staff and circulating a petition to address a hostile work environment. The irony? He hadn’t done any of it—yet. But that moment sparked something in him. “If I’m going to be accused of something,” Jesse recalls, “then I’m going forward with it.”
And forward he went.
Jesse rallied his coworkers, drafted a letter demanding the removal of a problematic Supervising Cook 2, and circulated a petition detailing the toxic conditions they were enduring. With the support of their newly formed SEIU Local 1000 representation, the petition was taken to HR. Within two weeks, the SC2 was removed, the wrongfully disciplined Food Service Tech1 was reinstated, and a series of marches on the Director helped solidify the union’s presence at Metropolitan State Hospital.
“It wasn’t about me,” Jesse insists. “It was the members who brought SEIU 1000 to the forefront. I just allowed myself to be the voice and presence they needed.”
Since then, Jesse has remained a steadfast steward and DBUR for Bargaining Unit 15, navigating the complexities of union leadership with a deep commitment to member advocacy. He acknowledges that the path hasn’t always been smooth. “You’ll have your share of dissension among your members,” he says. “If you don’t, then I question your validity as a steward.”
Today, the kitchen environment at Metropolitan State Hospital is far from the corrosive atmosphere it once was. While challenges remain—as they do in any state facility—Jesse and his fellow stewards continue to use the tools hard-won through collective bargaining: informal resolutions, quarterly JLMC meetings, and the right to negotiate wages, hours, and working conditions in good faith.
“This is why we fought to be a member-run union,” Jesse emphasizes. “Not a state-run association.”
Jesse’s story is a testament to the power of transformation, solidarity, and the courage to lead when it matters most. His journey from reluctant participant to respected leader reminds us all that change begins when someone decides to stand up—not just for themselves, but for everyone.
In Solidarity,
Jesse Aranda