Johnny Billups, California

'You need to participate'

School bus driver Johnny Billups doesn't waste time. In California, he and his union, the Berkeley Council of Classified Employees, have been reaching out to new employees as soon as they're hired. Billups attends new hire orientation sessions and immediately approaches newbies.

"I'm pro-employee," he says.

"Johnny, as soon as we have new employees, he signs them up within a matter of days," says BCCE President Paula Phillips. "And for employees hired during the school year, it's all about the site reps going out and talking to them."

Of about 600 workers represented by the local, only 45 are agency fee payers—nonmembers who pay only for their fair share in the bargaining and administration of their contract. "We speak to them about having a greater voice through union membership," Phillips says, "that that's what makes our union strong."

Billups agrees. His experience of BCCE is that it's "accessible and personable," a place where you can get involved, take part in elections, find out what's going on and see how your dues are put to work. A place you can trust.

"The union is going to be working for you, so participate in it," Billups says. "That way, you feel like you're empowered. My thing is that if you're going to be in an organization, you need to participate and have a voice. That's the way I believe."