Officers

Michele Owens
President

I began my employment with NHS in March 1984. I have served in several different capacities during my tenure at NHS. I am currently a Mental Health Worker in the Mt. Airy Day Program. I have the honor of serving as a Steward for our local, a Trustee on the District Council 88 Executive Board and as a member of the AFSCME Nonstate Education Committee. Additionally, I am a LUTI (Local Union Training Instructor), present the union to new employees in preservice orientations, and have been a part of the Negotiations Team since our first contract.

I believe the union will provide a voice for employees who had no voice prior to the contract. Our local has fought for and won back jobs for employees who we felt had been unfairly terminated. That is just one example of our successful negotiations on behalf of our members. We will continue to fight for the rights and fair treatment of our members. When we fight we win. We need members to become involved for a strong union. A local is only as strong as its members. And remember...YOU ARE THE UNION!

Renee Bennett
Vice President
Chief Shop Steward

I have been a Case Manager for NHS in Delaware County since January 2002 and am currently on the Delco MAST Team. I have served on the Negotiations Team since our first contract. I also sit on the NHS 401k Committee, and the Labor/Management Committee. I introduce AFSCME Local 1439 to new employees in preservice orientations. I am also a “LUTI” [Local Union Training Instructor.] I am known as “the detail person.”

I believe that a strong local union is the only way we can keep improving our benefits, working conditions, and pay rates. If I have one message to all union members it is this:

What our local needs the most is for employees in all areas of NHS to realize that their participation is THE KEY to a strong and vital union. Come to the monthly meetings. Know Your Rights. There is a place for you in your local union.

Jeanette Hill
Recording Secretary

I have worked in the Social Service field for fifteen and have been at NHS for the past six years. I am currently a Resource Coordinator based at an NHS program in the Germantown section of Philadelphia. I am a Steward and was a member of the Negotiations Team for our 2006 Wage Reopener.

I feel strongly that belonging to a union is a necessity for working people.

Josette Brower
Secretary Treasurer

I have been working as a SCOH Case Manager with the Family Resource Center in center city Philadelphia since December 10, 1979. In May 2004, NHS recognized me as the Direct Care Employee of the Month for my work ethic, professionalism and obtaining additional funds for consumer needs. I am the Secretary-Treasurer of AFSCME Local 1439 and served on the Negotiations Team for our first contract. I am also a Steward and have introduced AFSCME Local 1439 to new employees in preservice orientations.

I became involved with the union because I believe in fighting for what is right, including improvements in wages, hours, working conditions and the quality of life on the job. I have seen employees and management come and go. When an employee has a problem on the job, he/she can now file a grievance, which is a formal method of problem-solving found in the contract. A strong union, with employees standing together, has been needed for a long time. So let your voice be heard and come to the monthly meetings.

Executive Board Members

Sharon Dean
Executive Board Member

I started working for NHS in 1986 and worked for almost seven years in a day program. I left the world of working outside the home to be a stay at home mom for a while, but eventually returned to work as a lead house worker. When I heard that our vote was counted and the Union was now a reality, I wanted to be more than just a member - I wanted to help. I became a Steward and an Executive Board Member. I also introduce the union to new employees at pre-service orientations.

After attending many meetings and with very good training in Harrisburg, I am well on my way to becoming a positive and effective voice for my peers. I am a very hard worker and I expect Truth, Fairness, and, most importantly, Respect. I was voted employee of the Month in July 2006 – and that came from hard work. So, needless to say, I will continue to work hard as an AFSCME Board Member.

Sylvia Gist-Burns
Executive Board Member

I have been a Direct Care Worker at Champlost Hall in Philadelphia for three years. I am a veteran having served in the US Air Force as an Aero-Medical Technician. I have worked in the healthcare field for over 20 years. I am an Executive Board member and a Shop Steward. Formerly, I was affiliated with Local 1199C.

The Executive Board is working hard to rectify problems involving the relationship between management and the employee. I would like to build a bridge between management and employees so that providing excellent care for our clients can be our common goal. I am devoted to being a champion for the worker.

William L Greene Jr.
Executive Board Member

I started working at NHS in 1998 in the intake department in Children’s Services. Now I am an Assistant Team Leader at the Germantown Day Program. I was involved from the very beginning helping to organize the employees to vote to unionize. I was on the Negotiation Team for our first contract and currently serve on the Executive Board of our Local Union and as a Shop Steward. I have been involved in community work for most of my life and I am proud to be involved with this Union.

There is power and strength in numbers. In unity, we can accomplish the necessary goals to make NHS a model workplace in the community.

Freddie Haynesworth
Executive Board Member

I have been a mental health technician for NHS in Philadelphia since September 1999. I am a Shop Steward for our local union. I have been a member of the Executive Board since March of 2006. I also introduce AFSCME Local 1439 to new employees in pre-service orientations.

I believe that the union is very important! It enables employees to have a voice! As a single parent of two teenage girls, I always try to encourage them to stand up for what they believe in. The union allows the employees to do so! I really hope that all NHS employees will take advantage of the services the union provides for them. I also hope everyone tries to get involved in any way possible.

Ed O'Neill
Executive Board Member

I worked at Montgomery County Emergency Services from 1985 until 1995. Since then, I have been employed at Seasons, an NHS Long Term Structured Residence in Philadelphia. I also worked as an on-call administrator and team leader prior to AFSCME's introduction to NHS. I have been a Shop Steward in our local union since 2005. In January 2007 I became a member of the Executive Board and also introduce the union to new employees in preservice orientations.

I have walked the picket line in the seventies as a member of both the Bakery and Confectionary Workers Union Local 6 and 1199C Hospital and Health Care Workers Union. I was the successful test case for paternity leave for men through 1199C. Both my father and grandfather were union members. Joseph O'Neill, my grandfather, was President of the Coopers Union in the 30's.

It is a passion of mine that, we, as workers and the clients we partner with, are able to reach our potentials. Good administration can and should give us the tools we need to succeed. I believe the union is necessary to unify the workers as a group and to mold a cooperative effort with administration in many areas. This will enable us to better assist our clients to become more successful individuals. AFSCME is necessary to provide a voice for the person whose voice falls on deaf ears.

Trustees

Deborah Queen
Trustee

I have been working for NHS for 17 years. I worked in Children’s Services for 11 years and was Program Coordinator before transferring to Adult Services. I am currently working as a Mental Health Worker and have worked at adult day programs in the Germantown section of Philadelphia. I am a member of the Local 1439 Executive Board serving as a Trustee and Shop Steward.

I believe that having a union is good for working families. It is important to support the union because it provides a way to fight for your rights.

Glenn Wilkerson
Trustee

I have been employed with NHS since October 2000. I am currently working in the Germantown Day Program as a Mental Health Worker. I serve on the Executive Board of Local 1439 as a Trustee. I am also a Steward who has sat in on many investigations and other disciplinary actions on behalf of our members.

I feel I make a difference by standing up for our members with the support of AFSCME. The union contract gives our members an opportunity to stand up and fight against unfair treatment. Each and every member has a voice. Don't be afraid to speak up and be heard.

District Liason

Barbara Kremp
District Liason

I joined AFSCME District Council 88 as a Council Representative in 1994. For the previous 16 years I was active in the union where I worked, Local 3107. I started out as a Shop Steward and became a local officer and eventually President of the Local. At the same time, I was active with AFSCME on the Council level and became a Local Union Training Instructor, and a member of the Non-State Advisory Committee. I have also served on the District Council 88 Executive Board as well as the Council 13 Executive Board.

In my career, I have seen the Union change so many lives for the better, mine own included. I knew I wanted to be a part of that.

The Executive Board of Local 1439 would like to thank Brother Russell Long for his contribution in getting this website accomplished. We wish him great success at his new job. We will miss him. Also, Kudos with a capital K to our webmaster, Jen Kennedy for a fantastic website!