A family affair: Julius Monroe (r) brings the whole crew out for our Teamsters Lobby Day in Olympia.

Corrections officer Julius Monroe is a unionist to the core. When not working at the prison with his namesake - the Monroe Correctional Complex - you'll find him at just about every Teamsters event under the sun, sometimes with his entire family in tow.

The 6-person Monroe crew attended this year's DOC Lobby Day and our Shop Steward Seminar. With four kids under the age of 15, this is no easy feat. Julius says it's his wife and mom who help keep things running smoothly.   

Last month, Julius testified in support of HB 1069, which would give DOC members the right to bargain over supplemental retirement options, and he's a frequent attendee at our monthly membership meetings. At a recent membership blitz, he successfully signed up several new DOC employees to the Union.

Faith, family, work, and union - these are four pillars in the life of Julius Monroe. Hear what he has to say below: 

What do you love about your job?

I love so many of the staff at DOC. We have some incredible people. I try to be there for them so they get treated right. 

Why did you want to be a Shop Steward?

I see a lot of people at work who don't know where to go for help. Sometimes it can be a challenge to protect staff and manage conflict. But it’s great to be a Teamster. We look out for each other. It seems likes everybody really cares for each other. I like the camaraderie of it.

You testified recently at a legislative hearing in Olympia. Were you nervous?

When I first started testifying, I was nervous. I had a script that I had written in advance, but when I started talking, I didn’t need the script. It was emotional. I knew exactly what I wanted to say because I live it every day. You can’t write this stuff.

What was the issue?

It involved being able to retire at a decent age and not having to work 40 or 50 years before you can retire. I have seen more of my co-workers die than retire. People need to be able to work and get out of work so they can enjoy their pension. You shouldn’t have to work until you die.

I’ve been at DOC for 24 years, and I can’t retire any time soon. It becomes a big safety issue. Some people have to come to work with canes or scooters. How can they make people work in a prison when they can’t even walk?

Proud father and daughter speaking out for a humane retirement in Olympia.

You've had a lot of success signing people up for the Union. What's your secret?

I just talk to people, and I find out their why. Some people have never been asked. I talk a lot about the things the Union offers - the scholarships, lobby day, the holiday meeting at the Union Hall. Almost everyone I talk to signs up.

You've got four young kids. Where do you find the time?

It's because I have a wonderful wife. I've also had help from my mother and my sister before she passed away. I have a strong family structure at home. When I go to work, I know I can focus on my job. 

What does your down time look like?

On weekends, we go to Lewis-McChord and go bowling. We like to go to the beach or just hang out. We do it all as a family. I have no other extracurricular. Every Sunday, we spend the evening in church. Friday night is bible study. That keeps us together.