This year SEIU 721 City of Riverside members wanted to do something different to commemorate Labor Day. They reached out to City management with the idea to show department heads, City Council members and executive staff exactly how members provide vital services every day.
Union members, joined by Riverside Police Officers Association and Riverside City Firefighters Association members, spent the morning of Wednesday, Sept. 9, showing around 17 managers, many of whom spend most of the day inside, how they handle the stifling Inland heat and still get their jobs done with pride and making customer service a priority.
Assignments for the morning ranged from the Human Resources Director learning how to grease a ladder on a fire engine, to Council members power washing sidewalks, riding a mini-bus picking up seniors and cleaning out sewers and the Chief of Police walking the beat reading utility meters.
I have a whole new level of respect for the gentlemen and ladies doing these jobs on a day-in-day-out basis. I was especially impressed with the pride with which our employees went about getting their work done. – Jim Perry, City Council member, Ward 6, who shadowed SEIU 721 member Frank Lee, Waste Water Collection Technician.
Click here or on the photo gallery below to view photos of the event.
Following the morning of work, the job shadows and shadowees joined for lunch at City Hall, where Mayor Rusty Bailey heard from the managers about their experiences and what they learned. He was optimistic about the experience and wants it to continue next year.
At the close of the event, Enrique Barboza, SEIU 721 City of Riverside First Vice-Chair who headed up organizing the day, reminded those gathered… “We’re the people that keep this city working, and it’s 24 hours a day. Thank you so much for walking in our shoes.”