Nadia Vilmont, Managed Care Representative, Boston Medical Center

Q: How long have you worked at Boston Medical Center?

A: Nine years.

Q: What made you become active in the union?

A: I’ve always been active in my community. I figure that I’m here at work all day, so I might as well do something to make things better. What better way is there to be an advocate and give back to folks?

Q: How are you active in the union?

A: I’m a delegate. Being a delegate, you wear many hats. You have to maintain relationships with managers and coworkers, communicate with and defend union members, and stand up to what’s wrong. I’m a chapter chair, a member of the young worker program, and a member of the African American Caucus.

Q: What is the union difference?

A: One of the things I talk about is that at my other job, we don’t have any input. Non-members’ biggest gripes are job security and raises. They think that if they say something, they will lose their job. They can’t bargain over their health insurance. They always feel that their input is invalid.

Q: What does having a union mean to you?

A: The ability to be able to ask questions. We’re the ones on the front lines. We know what works best. Having a union lets us have a dialogue, set priorities and guidelines. We are able to meet management in the middle.