Adventures of a Union Steward

Lori Theim-Busch, Union Steward

My name is Lori Theim-Busch and I have worked at North Memorial for over 20 years as a Phlebotomy/EKG tech and a Union Steward for 7 years.

I consider it a privilege and a duty to be able to help those in need and to do my part to the best of my capabilities in my role as a steward and in all aspects of life.  Over the years, I have attended thousands of meetings including investigatory meetings, discipline grievances, contract violations,  more serious type meetings including terminations, discrimination, harassment, and just about everything else.  I have had the opportunity to be voted in as a representative of North Memorial for out last contract negotiations.

Being a steward has also led me to an awareness of how politics can work for, or against you.  I remember going to lobby day at the capital and hearing Paul Wellstone speak and then later meeting him at a restaurant where other supporters had gathered.  It felt like the sun came out to learn more about him and what he stood for.  I participated in door knocks, for him and other candidates.  This was my first introduction to politics through the union.

I also learned that even though one can build political allies by working together to help each other achieve goals, it is not enough to simply assume the politician you have supported and helped get elected really understands your needs.  This was made abundantly clear when, during our last contract negotiations, we were at the capital and I heard the senator that I had campaigned and door knocked for lambaste the union.  This taught me that I must also get to know my elected officials and be visible so they can get to know me and my issues.

I was voted in as an alternate on the central committee.  I also was elected as an alternate delegate to the state DFL convention in Rochester and upgraded to a delegate.  I felt like I was given the opportunity to make a difference in who got elected. 

On Friday, March 16, SEIU introduced the Hospital Accountability Act, before committee at the State House of Representatives.  This bill was written to hold hospitals accountable for the commitments they make when asking for an exception to the moratorium on hospitals. I never felt so proud, as when the vote came back 13 to 4 in our favor.  I was witnessing democracy at its best.

My most recent adventure with the union happened the following Wednesday, just after the hearing for the Hospital Accountability Act.  I was asked, once again to give testimony before the Senate Committee.  The senators had just voted and it had come out in our favor.  It was startling to see the difference in the behavior of two senators.  Senator Berglin, who co-authored the bill, did an outstanding job in her arguments for the passage of the bill and standing up for the little guys. 

Senator Scheid, in sharp contrast, demonstrated the epitome of why it is important to let your elected officials know you are watching what they do.  Before we were even able to put our coats on to leave and while we were still in the committee room, Senator Scheid came over to where and I were standing.  Loudly, she told us, that we shouldn’t come to her if we don’t get hired at the new hospital in Maple Grove and that we could go to hell.  I had never even met Senator Scheid before.  I learned right there that we, as constituents, need to know the character of our elected officials.

My wish is for everyone to spend more time in the driver’s seat of their life and less time as the passenger.  I hope everyone can get involved to the best of their ability with the decisions that are being made in their work place, schools, neighborhoods and government.  I now understand why Committee On Political Education (COPE) donations are important.  The value of the things I have learned from becoming a union steward is immeasurable.