Labor 2010 Volunteer Spotlight: Mike Fish

Mike Fish is an AFSCME member that is making a difference in his union and in Minnesota. A young union member at Local 1092, he works at the Moose Lake Treatment Center. Mike is co-chair of the Next Wave committee which strives to engage and educate other younger members on what it means to be young and working in America. In addition to being Next Wave co-chair, he is a union steward, volunteer member organizer, alternative delegate to the Duluth Central Labor Body, and serves in the Air Force. He recently extended his time to the Labor 2010 campaign to try his hand at volunteering for the political program.

Mike, or “Sparky” as his fellow AFSCME members affectionately call him, is a natural when it comes to connecting with people on the doors. He recently doorknocked in Little Falls with the East Central Area Labor Council for Labor 2010. Of the experience he noted, “I was pleasantly surprised by the positivity on the doors. People are open to the conversations.” He added, “Before, I never got directly involved in politics. I trusted my union’s endorsements and still do.”

He’s right--union members trust their union. Mike’s got what it takes to knock on doors and make phone calls to other union members throughout the state. And so do many thousands of other members.

All it took for Mike to get involved was someone to listen, talk to him, and make the ask. The same is true for other young and seasoned union members. Mike says to other young union members who may be on the fence about getting involved, “Be open-minded. Never hesitate to get involved. The one time you don’t get involved, things could turn the other way, whether it is at your workplace or in the community. We must stand together as one to have our voice heard.”

There are less than three weeks until Election Day. We must continue to work hard to elect Mark Dayton as our next governor as well as our other labor endorsed candidates.

All union members can get involved. Will you take a couple of hours to doorknock or phonebank? Click on this link to sign up to volunteer.