Genevieve Perez worked for the Fontana School District as a classified employee that was represented by United Steelworkers 8599. This union represents a variety of jobs in education including Classified Substitutes, Child Care Providers, Center Monitors, and College Tutors of FUSD. She started working in the union in 1993 as a teachers’ aide and worked up to becoming a liaison who would organize meetings between teachers, parents, and students.
Prior to joining USW 8599, Genevieve grew up in a union household. Her father was part of the United Steelworkers as well. Her family still carries on that legacy, with one of Genevieve’s sons being part of a union as well. When reflecting on her family’s union involvement, Genevieve speaks happily about her memories. Memories of going to the union hall for all sorts of events, being friends with other union families, and the help that they would provide to the community. Once she got involved with USW 8599 as a teachers’ aide, her personal involvement only grew.
As part of the faculty, Genevieve was in charge of taking care of kids when they were left alone.This often put her and some of her coworkers in an awkward situation because the health clerk,who would clock-in before anyone else, would need to end her day earlier. This meant that during the last hour, there wouldn’t be anyone on staff with proper medical training. Genevievehelped in negotiating equal hours in order to have nurses, teachers, and staff be on campus with the students at all times. She also had fought for the rights of teacher aides, who were often mistreated and critically understaffed, especially when working with disabled students. Understaffing meant both lower quality care for students and unsafe work conditions for aides,
“…they can push you down…knock you over, they’ll bite you…and [the teacher aides] would get 20 hours, so that meant no medical, no dental…and those aides will work one on one and stay late…they’re not compensated in any way, they’re doing it out of their own heart”
Genevieve helped in negotiating a 7 hour workday for aides in order for them to receive the benefits that they deserved. Going further than helping people in the union, Genevieve is also passionate about helping anybody. She glow-ingly tells stories about the time her union was able to help out students who didn’t have enough clothes for school by giving them shoes free of charge.
“I’ve got[ten] to help a lot of people. Not only with the union, but outside of the union. But it was because of the training I’ve had with the union. It’s worked out well for me.”
