John McNeil, Department of Public Health
What made you decide to start working for the State?
I retired medically from federal service after 25 years of service and wanted to stay with government or civil service. The State had a variety of jobs I felt would be a good fit and I was lucky enough to end up in a good section with great people that all aim to help residents of California through one of the worst experiences life throws people.
How has your leadership evolved since becoming a steward?
Since becoming a steward, I have become more proactive, more comfortable speaking, and slowly becoming a better organizer. I still have not forgotten many of the leadership lessons learned in my previous positions and during my time in the U.S. Army.
What motivated you to step into leadership?
I have held leadership positions in every job I’ve held since I was 18 except for my current state job. When I decided to become a steward, I was asked if I was interested in accepting the position of DLC [District Labor Council] President since my DLC’s leadership positions were almost entirely vacant. I waited and researched, and while that was happening, I was also getting a lot of helpful advice and encouragement from members and colleagues. They probably had more faith in me than I did. But being a leader means being uncomfortable and knowing how to get through things. I have a lot of life experience that applies to situations our members face everyday. I’m a disabled veteran, a cancer survivor, a son of a Mexican immigrant, and my beard has gone mostly grey.
What continues to inspire your involvement in this work?
Meeting with more of my colleagues in my own worksite and at locations throughout my DLC have been encouraging. I feel proud to tell them SEIU is still here for them and that we need them as much as they need us. Each time I am able to persuade a person to join, to become a steward, or contribute to COPE [Committee on Political Education], it feels as if the message we are spreading is working and that hopefully they will keep things going for a younger generation of union members.