Cindy Jeffries has served on the OPEIU Executive Board representing Region VII since June of 2007. 

 

Jeffries began her career in the labor movement in 1976 when she organized a group of school bus drivers she worked with, and was elected to the bargaining committee for their first contract. She soon became Chief Steward for the new unit.

 

After a brief break to begin a family, Jeffries rejoined the workforce at a local community owned hospital in Lansing, Michigan. In the early 1990s, the hospital merged with another local hospital represented by OPEIU Local 459. Recognizing that the unorganized workers needed the same benefits and protections offered by Local 459, Jeffries joined the organizing committee for the paraprofessionals in 1995. Despite a difficult campaign that included facing a union-busting firm hired by the employer, the workers prevailed!

 

Jeffries was elected Steward for her department and then appointed Chief Steward for the 750-member bargaining unit. In 1997, she took a temporary leave of absence to work full time at the Local 459 offices, while continuing to serve as Chief Steward for the unit. During that time, she became a Service Representative, and has since progressed from Entry Level Representative to a Senior Service Representative. Her duties include grievance handling, arbitration, contract negotiations, political action involvement at a local, state and federal level, and mentoring new staff and stewards. She has also developed conflict resolution programs for employees that have been very successful. 

 

Jeffries has attended the National Labor College and taken labor studies courses at Michigan State University. She has also taught classes in all areas of labor relations.