Steven Gonzales, California High-Speed Rail Authority (CAHSR)
What made you decide to start working for the State?
I started working for the state because I needed a sense of stability in my life. I needed to know that I could take care of myself and my family without the constant fear of losing my job hanging over my head every day. Nowhere has the kind of security that a state job affords, and it’s because of our strong union that this stability is achievable.
What motivated you to step into leadership?
I decided to become a steward when, at an all-staff meeting, some of my coworkers expressed that they were afraid to speak out against the first RTO attempt. They were afraid of retaliation, and that is unacceptable. So I spoke up. I became a steward so that I can have the protections I need in order to protect the people around me.
How has your leadership evolved since becoming a steward?
Since becoming a steward, I have joined the COPE committee, become a delegate to the Central Labor Council and become more active in politics, lobbying for causes championed by the labor movement, and continue to be a shield for those who need me. I work hard to make sure that my fellow state workers understand their inherent power, and motivate them to use that power.
What continues to inspire your involvement in this work?
I draw inspiration from the leaders I see around me, the people out in front of our movement, the people holding our legislature accountable, and the people on the ground doing the hard work every day. I also draw inspiration from Karl Marx and Frederick Douglass.
We cannot have the light without the fire, and we cannot have the shower without the thunder. We must fight for what we deserve.