Chet Jorgenson returns to MAPE in a new elected role

MAPE has welcomed a new statewide leader with a familiar face: Local 601’s Chet Jorgenson. Jorgenson, former MAPE president, was elected Treasurer last month.

Jorgenson said he got involved again with MAPE because he remains concerned about how the current political environment could be harmful to unions. “The Janus vs. AFSCME decision by the U.S. Supreme Court was only the first step. The anti-union agenda is to significantly handicap unions to make them ineffective. Being a local president, chief steward, board member and MAPE president, I have learned a lot about unions, organizing and politics. I want to bring that experience to benefit our members,” Jorgenson said.  

“Public employee unions have a target on us. We have an opportunity to make ourselves so strong that it will not matter what the Supreme Court does, we will not only survive but thrive. We do this by 15,000 people having relationships with their union,” Jorgenson said.

Jorgenson said he plans to start off his own relationship-building by meeting with local treasurers. “I want to find out what support they need. They’re really important officers in their locals and we need to give them the tools to drive the conversation about the action plan for the year – what are we going to do about membership? Do you have speakers? How do we build strength at the local?” he asked. 

Jorgenson said he would also “like to support locals and committees to turn their budget talks into plans of action and not just increase our expenses by five percent this year and call it done. We have a strategic plan but we have to act on it. We need locals and committees to talk about what they’re going to do next year to accomplish this.”

“I think to understand the budget is our action plan and how we can allocate the resources in the most effective way to promote our members’ interests. Our strength is in our members and their relationship with the union. We have to make that one of highest priorities,” Jorgenson added