Member Strength Corner: Never give up, never quit -- someone is looking up to you
Lo Williams goes to bat for Local 1000 members and kids in the community
As Lo Williams threw the ceremonial first pitch to the little league catcher behind the plate, the magnitude of the countless hours he spends volunteering set in--he had become the role model that he wished so hard for as a child. It was a gorgeous opening day for Oak Park Little League on April 7 in Sacramento, and every child had a smile on.
Raised in a large and struggling family in Los Angeles, Williams was often left to fend for himself in unsafe neighborhoods. The adults in his community were not the role models he needed as a child, which is why he now devotes much of his life to looking out for the children of others.
As Lo Williams threw the ceremonial first pitch to the little league catcher behind the plate, the magnitude of the countless hours he spends volunteering set in--he had become the role model that he wished so hard for as a child. It was a gorgeous opening day for Oak Park Little League on April 7 in Sacramento, and every child had a smile on.
Raised in a large and struggling family in Los Angeles, Williams was often left to fend for himself in unsafe neighborhoods. The adults in his community were not the role models he needed as a child, which is why he now devotes much of his life to looking out for the children of others.
Children need help"It made me mad growing up--the adults around me were supposed to be leaders. Every child I see out there is me--and every child needs to see the good in the adults around them," Williams said.
An office technician in the State Controller's Office, Williams spends most of his personal time as a union activist and volunteering in programs that give children in Sacramento communities a place to go after school. Some of the programs include the Oak Park Little League, the baseball programs at John F. Kennedy and Valley high schools and the basketball programs at Sacramento and Valley high schools. Although he may come home at 9 p.m. most weeknights, he comes home with a smile on his face.
Fighting for OT pay
Williams became a union activist eight years ago by standing up to management when they required employees to work nights and did not pay them the overtime for which they qualified. The successful grievance restored six months of back pay for employees. Since that time, Lo has worked to create a mutually beneficial relationship between employees and management at his worksite by keeping the lines of communication open and healthy.
When he first became a union activist, Williams was not interested in politics and wasn't convinced that the union's political efforts accomplished anything for Local 1000 members. The more he became involved as a steward and district bargaining unit representative for Bargaining Unit 4, the more he came to realize that what happens at the Capitol affects all state employees.
Politics, community both matter
"We are all connected to that building and the people who work inside. We need to always be involved in the decisions that are made--whether we are there physically or represented by elected officials who share our interests," Williams said. "We need to have a voice--a political voice."
Williams sees Local 1000 growing by educating younger generations on the labor rights that people enjoy because of unions.
"The youth are Local 1000's future. All you need is a few people who care, and get them involved. Come with an open heart, and don't let anyone close it."
