Steward Spotlight: Region 10

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Steward Spotlight: Region 10

For more than 30 years Todd Maki has served Minnesotans as a state employee at the Minnesota Lottery. Many of those years include service to fellow members of MAPE in his roles as Region 10 steward and statewide MAPE Treasurer as well.

“I was invited to a local lunch meeting and signed a membership card to get my free coffee mug and a vote because I thought, ‘If I'm in for a dime, I'm in for a dollar,’” Maki said. “I wanted to be a full voting member. That led me to more meetings and an invitation to go to steward training because it’s a good way to get to know our contract and our union better.”

Maki said it’s the MAPE contract that led him to seek professional development since it’s a benefit negotiated for members and outlined in contract language.

“I did my Master’s degree mid-career and that was my springboard to local political involvement. I walked into a pre-convention planning meeting for the political party of my choice and said, ‘I heard you’re looking for volunteers,’” Maki recalls.

He’s also taken his turn in the rotation of Region 10 chief steward - a role that is currently vacant - and attended labor arbitration training.

“Steward training at MAPE has been very good; I’ve taken both basic and advanced steward training,” Maki said. “We really do try to represent members the best we can when we review their situations.”

One of Maki’s victories included a settlement for a member who was discharged without due process or progressive discipline, and ultimately that member landed happily in a different position.  Another moment he’s proud of includes helping a coworker with an ADA request, something Maki described as “a welcome change from investigations and grievances. 

“I’ve had a couple of successful conclusions to different situations at work for our members, “ he said. “Early on I had the realization that there’s a big contract that covers us at work and sometimes it's confusing to figure out which, if any, language applies.”

Maki says it’s rewarding to be a MAPE steward and encourages anyone interested in getting involved to consider becoming a steward. 

“We ideally would have a steward in every department in every worksite across the state. That would be super helpful because so many things occur on a daily and weekly basis and every worksite is unique,” Maki said. 

Maki says the easiest questions to handle are when members are in a situation and are asking what the contract says about it. 

“Our stewards can help answer those questions,” Maki said. “I’d encourage people to start a conversation early; don’t wait until you have a letter of expectations or a reprimand. Start early and seek advice because it’s helpful to make a connection before you’re deep into the weeds.”

He also plugged his region’s current opening for a chief steward.

“We could use a chief steward here in Region 10. If you’re interested, reach out to Angie Halsel (ahalseth@mape.org) and have a conversation about what that may look like,” Maki said. “You have the support of fellow stewards and MAPE staff, who have seen just about every situation possible and they’re fantastic resources. 

You won’t be doing this alone.”