Editor’s note: Shop stewards are CSEA’s first line of defense at our members’ work sites. They are responsible for hearing the concerns of members and relaying those facts back to the local and unit leadership. They also disseminate information to their colleagues, ensuring that our members are up to speed on the latest in CSEA’s activities.
To highlight the responsibilities of these very important members, the “Principal Steward” profiles were created.
This month’s “Principal Steward” is Philip Abbondondolo Jr., a tree pruner at the Village of Hempstead.
Long Island Reporter (LIR): What made you decide to become a shop steward?
Philip Abbondondolo (PA): I saw that some of the [members]weren’t that educated on [the benefits]and what they deserve as CSEA members. I figured getting more involved and learning more about our union would help us.
LIR: How long have you been a shop steward?
PA: Fifteen years.
LIR: What’s the most rewarding thing about being a shop steward?
PA: When you can help a member who is having a lot of trouble and struggling with an issue. After it’s all said and done and they feel good about the outcome, you feel good about it, too.
LIR: What’s the most challenging thing about being a shop steward?
PA: Not always having the answer that a member wants. Sometimes, it’s because I don’t have the answer and I have to go find the person who does. Other times, it’s because I have to tell them something that they don’t want to hear. I always explore different options when I’m in the midst of problem solving, but I can only do what I can do.
LIR: What’s the most common question that you get asked?
PA: Most of the questions that I get are about benefits. A lot of the [members]in our unit have young children, so they want to know about discounts they can get for braces and other procedures that their children may need.
CSEA mails out a lot of packages that give details about the types of benefits that members get, but sometimes, people disregard them.
LIR: Did you have a mentor?
PA: I became a CSEA member when I was 19 years old. When I started this job, there were a lot of older guys that I saw could operate every piece of machinery. They knew their job and everyone else’s job, inside out. I really just observed them and followed suit.
LIR: Not everyone has that kind of drive. Where did you get that from?
PA: Mostly my father. He’s been a general supervisor here for about 40 years. Growing up, I always saw him driving trucks and pay loaders.
LIR: So, you’re from a union family?
PA: Yes. My dad and my uncle who have worked for the Village of Hempstead for about the same amount of time.
When I was younger, I used to hear them talk a lot about contracts and other union activities at family events. I didn’t really understand what they meant back them. Now that I’m a member, I remember those conversations that they had and they make a lot of sense.
LIR: What about your job makes you feel like you’ve accomplished something important?
PA: During Hurricane Sandy, I took trees off of people’s homes and helped them evacuate their houses. I remember that there was an 80-foot tree that went right through someone’s roof. Luckily, the woman who was in the home was unharmed and was able to leave the home unassisted. For a good four months straight, I was performing that kind of task. I had a lot of satisfaction at the end of the day.
As for CSEA members, sometimes members’ paperwork was filled out improperly and they need a little help correcting it. Something as simple as changing your phone number or someone spelling your name wrong will mean your paperwork gets sent back to you. Shop stewards get those types of questions when members are unsure of who they are supposed to speak to.
LIR: What was the shop steward training like?
PA: It helped a lot. It’s interesting to find out more in-depth details about things that you think you already know about. The training gives you additional guidelines to follow that are more structured.
LIR: What kind of advice do you have for potential shop stewards?
PA: I would say take as many courses as you can and train with as many people as possible. The more you know, the better you are. It’s also important to take refresher courses. Things change and sometimes people come up with more effective procedures and ways to address new issues. Any information I get, I try to tailor to issues that arise at my work site.
If you’re the type of person who likes to help people, you should consider becoming a shop steward.
— Wendi Bowie
