Chris works as administrative support at Teamsters 117 office. He's been on Teamsters staff for almost three years, and before that he was a Teamster in a UNFI warehouse. During this project, Chris spoke to Teamsters at Pike Place Market and Port of Seattle.

Tell us how it feels working for Teamsters?

I've always wanted to be of service growing up in a union household, but for me it's also about wanting to be part of the solution. The one thing I learned here is that dues make you a member, but action makes you a Teamster.

For me working at Teamsters is not a job. It's a passion. You cannot put a price on a smile a person gives you after you've helped resolve their issue. My grandfather always said do what you love – love what you do. You want to get up and be happy about going to work. This is where I am at with Teamsters.

Is there a particular conversation with a member that stood out to you?

Yes. There was a security guard who I signed up for membership who originally was on the fence about joining the union. He didn't see the value. He kept giving me suggestions on what the Union should improve at Pike Place. I told him all these important issues need to be brought up at the demands meeting so they have a chance to be written into the contract. As a member, his voice matters and shapes negotiations with the employer.

He looked at me with suspicion in his eye and said: "So you telling me if I sign up, I can come to the demands meeting?"

To which I replied: "When you sign up, you are part of the 117 family, and you're gonna get treated that way. You're going to have a voice."