James Brown

Metro Nashville Public Schools

James Brown started working for Metro as a contractor six years ago and last November got a full time job with MNPS as the district’s Telephony Technician. His job is to repair and maintain the telephone systems for all 136 schools and all of the district’s support buildings.

James has always been a supporter of organized labor and was excited to learn that he would finally have a job where he could join a union. “I’m thrilled to join a union – I didn’t even know that one was available to me until the new-hire orientation.”

Since joining SEIU, James has been active with the Local. Even though James was not personally affected by the outsourcing that faced custodians and groundskeepers this year, he still volunteered his time off the clock to leaflet, make phone calls, lobby his representatives, attend Metro Council and school board meetings, and even to speak on the custodians’ behalf. To James, it’s all about standing together. “If we don’t stand up for the custodians and groundskeepers now, who’s to say they don’t come for food service next year,” James says. “The custodians’ fight affects everyone who pays taxes, has kids in school, and who works for MNPS. It’s time people started seeing the big picture and get involved with making a difference. The Union is one way to do that and I’m honored to be a part of it”.