Steward Spotlight: Region 16 Jesse O’Connor

For nearly 20 years, Jesse O’Connor has served Minnesotans in need, most recently as a mental health practitioner in Brainerd for the Dept. of Human Services’ Minnesota Specialty Health System. During his tenure with the State, he’s been involved in his union, first as a vice president and chief steward in AFSCME and now as MAPE’s Region 16 chief steward for the past year.

“There were concerns about our contract and things going on at our place of work and I originally volunteered to be co-chief steward and now it’s just me,” O’Connor said.

O’Connor said it’s the collective voice of union membership that drives him to remain involved in his union. 

“I believe in fair wages, and having a voice so our employer hear us,” he said. “It’d be impossible to advocate on our own and I believe everyone should have a fair working environment.”

O’Connor said anyone interested in getting involved should try being a steward, especially in region 16 where they plan to start offering more in-person training in the near future. 

“Being a MAPE member, we’re still connected one way or another and we’re all in it together and not singled out,” O’Connor said.

For more information about stewards, go here.