Andrew Magie, California Public Utilities Commission – Energy Division
What made you decide to start working for the State?
I have always been passionate about making the world a better place, and my fascination with the nexus of complex human and technical systems and passion for fighting climate change meant working in electricity regulation and policy in the world’s fourth-largest economy was the perfect place for me to create the biggest impact on this world. Energy Division at CPUC is sometimes colloquially called a “policy sweatshop,” as we are constantly trying to improve regulation to help lower Californians’ electric bills, ensure reliability and safety, and reach 100% net-zero energy by 2045 to create the grid of the future and protect Californians from the harmful effects of climate change. There is no other place I would rather work!
How has your leadership evolved since becoming a steward?
Becoming a steward has really increased my visibility into the joys and plights my coworkers experience at my workplace. My visibility has increased, and I have been able to work with my fellow stewards to organize 70+ speeches per CPUC voting meeting against Return-to-office (RTO), recruit many new members within and in other District Labor Council (DLCs), and start hosting happy hours and other social events to encourage my coworkers to become increasingly familiar with the work our union SEIU Local 1000 does and to be more active. I feel much more capable of helping lead state workers to a better future.
What motivated you to step into leadership?
Originally, I was hesitant to step into leadership as I wanted to make sure I had the bandwidth to exceed expectations. However, a lovely senior steward by the name of Ken Lustenberger encouraged me to go through LAPS, and I agreed. I had always known I was extremely pro-union, as unions have gotten us all the incredible working conditions people take for granted today… 40-hour workweek, pensions, no unpaid overtime, being treated with dignity, and strong salary growth. I was active in organizing in DLC 743 even before I became a steward, so it felt like the natural next step in my leadership progression.
What continues to inspire your involvement in this work?
Some of the custodians at my workplace have to work a second job just to be able to afford to live in San Francisco, and I find that categorically unacceptable. We, as humans with empathy who yearn for a better world, cannot stand idly by while people work endlessly to no avail. No one should have to work 80-hour weeks to afford to live and raise children.