Organizing is everyone’s job

Sarah Drake believes anytime you get a chance to learn something new, you should take it.

She did, and now she’s one of the legions of UAW members who proudly hold the rank “volunteer organizer.”

The 32-year old mother of three recently completed a two-week tour of duty working on the UAW’s ongoing organizing campaign at a Nissan engine plant in Decherd, Tenn.

For the eight-year UAW Local 2209 member, organizing work is a far-cry from her work inspecting radios and air conditioners at General Motors’ Fort Wayne, Ind., Truck and Bus plant.

Here’s what she had to say about being a UAW volunteer organizer:

How did you become a volunteer organizer?

It was announced at a union meeting that they were looking for people to take a one-day class to learn how to organize. It sounded challenging and interesting, so I signed up, and they called me.

What was your training like?

The class was nine hours. It was taught by staff people from the UAW International. They warned us what it was going to be like — long days, away from home and never knowing what to expect when you make a house call. They gave us the house call agenda which is about getting workers to talk about their jobs, listening to their stories and getting to know them as people.

What was your typical day like as a volunteer organizer?

We get up early in the morning and get our assignments. Usually, it’s making house calls. We pair off in teams. A house call can run from 30 minutes to two hours. My worst day, I only got two house calls done; my best was nine. I love that feeling when I know I have connected with someone. When they’ll open up and tell you what their real concerns are, like favoritism and health costs. I guess I have always been a fighter for the underdog.