Member minute

Romeo Muñoz, 59, has been a union man for more than 31 years and an elected local union officer for 11 of them. Muñoz is president of UAW Local 848 in Grand Prairie, Texas, an amalgamated local that represents over 2,500 aerospace sector members employed at Raytheon, Lockheed and Vought. He’s also vice president of the Texas AFL-CIO. For more than 25 years, Muñoz worked at Vought as a machine parts inspector lead man, and he also worked on parts for the Blackhawk, B22 and 747 aircrafts.

Why is it important for workers to be involved in politics?

Because some politicians are trying to get rid of unions. Look at how they’re trying to stop passage of the Employee Free Choice Act. This legislation and all politics can really affect our daily lives. We have to get small victories that build up to big wins, and we have to elect candidates who have the best interests of working families at heart.

What don’t people realize about the aerospace industry?

At least 40 states are involved in producing the C-17. It’s very important to go out and get the aerospace workers organized, not to mention the suppliers.

Why is it so important to organize new members?

Fear is the driving force behind workers not organizing. They don’t want to get fired. But most people who talk against the union are ignorant when it comes to the labor movement, so we must educate them.

How do you encourage UAW members to get involved in their union?

We get young members involved. Bring a young member with you to a union meeting. Encourage them to attend a Black Lake summer school. We must spread the word and talk about it on the floor, at meetings and share our experiences. If you get young people involved, you will get the momentum that you need. The idea is to have this experience, come back and share it with your colleagues, get them excited and repeat the cycle until you have an energized movement. As they say: ‘Each one, teach one.’

Gwynne Marie Cobb