Labor 2010 Volunteer Spotlight: Melina Martinez

Melina Martinez is one to watch. A UFCW member of Local 1161, she works at the JBS Swift Plant in Worthington, and is release staff for the West Area Labor Council through elections. She joined fellow UFCW members and MN AFL-CIO President Shar Knutson on Monday at the Toro plant in Windom, MN to worksite flyer IAM members at shift change.

Melina is no stranger to union activism. A union member for 13 years, she was first activated when UFCW 1161 President Mike Potter asked her to work on the Kerry campaign. Melina was able to go to the Twin Cities and volunteer with both UFCW Twin Cities locals doorknocking. Melina also received special training by Marina Martinez on how to doorknock and reach union voters. She believes that talking face to face is powerful and enjoys the meaningful conversations that she has on the doors.

Beyond doorknocking, Melina is phonebanking with the predictive dialers, worksite flyering, and preparing local union leader letters. She is motivated by the need to get Minnesota back on track. She is also motivated by President Obama, and was able to go to the Rally for a Better Minnesota on October 23 in Minneapolis. One of the memorable parts of the rally for Melina includes the part when President Obama came out and the crowd starting chanting, “Yes we can! Yes we can!”

When asked about why she is supporting Mark Dayton for Governor, Melina says, “He will bring more jobs to our communities. A lot of people complain about not having a job, and I know that Mark Dayton will put people back to work.”