Retirees - Ruth

RUTH WALKER

HAWAII

Growing up in Hawaii, HGEA Retiree Ruth Walker heard stories from a friend’s father about the hardships and the cruelty agricultural workers experienced in the past. “He told me years ago when he was working in the pineapple fields, supervisors would drag sick people back to work in the fields. Whenever he was ill, he would padlock the front door to his shack and pretend no one was home when he saw the bosses coming. I remember thinking that those things should never have happened, even in the past,” Walker said.

they know we're politically

1971: Members vote yes for United Public Workers (UPW) and Hawaii Government Employees Association (HGEA) affiliation with AFSCME Courtesy of AFSCME Archives, Wayne State University

That image, coupled with the memory of seeing Hawaii’s sugar plantation workers standing in line at food kitchens during strikes, were seared into her memory even before she started her long involvement with the school principal’s unit of HGEA Local 152. After retiring, Walker was drafted to become HGEA Retiree Unit president, Local 152, for which she’s served multiple terms. By being a leader, Walker felt her voice – and the voices of other retirees – could be most amplified.

“In Hawaii, HGEA retiree leaders have made a difference in preserving our pensions and medical benefits because we work directly with our state senators and representatives. They listen because they know we’re politically active,” she said. “All of our retirees participate actively in Political Action activities, showing up for mail-outs, telephone banks and roadside waving.” Walker believes it’s important to remember that the benefits, better wages and improved working conditions she enjoyed throughout her career “weren’t just handed over by the employer. These were benefits that past workers fought for.” Walker knows that attacks on retirement benefits, as well as broader attacks on the union movement, aren’t letting up, so it’s more important now than ever to urge potential members to become members, and instill a spirit of activism across all members.

Ruth’s story is part of a longer series about how AFSCME Retirees fought for the rights and freedoms we enjoy today. They share their lessons for younger generations.

SEE ALL THE STORIES »

SONIA'S STORY

JEFF'S STORY

“In Hawaii, HGEA retiree leaders have made a difference in preserving our pensions and medical benefits because we work directly with our state senators and representatives. They listen because

Paul Matsuo and Ruth Walker (right), HGEA retiree leaders

active."

SEE ALL THE STORIES »

Ruth’s story is part of a longer series about how AFSCME Retirees fought for the rights and freedoms we enjoy today. They share their lessons for younger generations.

Visit www.afscme.org/retirees »

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