Member Spotlight: Steve Sprague (ATU)
Member Spotlight is a recurring blog post series intended to highlight and connect the dots between the programs and priorities of the NC State AFL-CIO and the leaders and activist members of our affiliates who make it all possible.
My name is Steve Sprague. I’m with the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 128 at Asheville Rides Transit. I’m a father to my 10yo son and 2yo daughter as well as a husband to my wife, Amanda, of 16 years. Asheville Rides Transit “ART” has been my focus for the past 6 years as a mechanic.
I serve as a Shop Steward for my Union. Being a Shop Steward is important to me because I am like a guard dog for the members of my Union. The Shop Steward is the go between for the Company and Union. As a Shop Steward, it's my role to enforce the contract and negotiate with the company to resolve workplace issues that my coworkers bring to my attention.
Growing up in Michigan, I first learned how to work on cars and tinker with my dad, Darryl, who owned his own shop. I was also a Boy Scout, which is where I learned to be a service oriented person. As an adult, I’ve always been willing to help folks out by helping them with car trouble, whether it’s changing the battery or fixing their breaks.
From 2014-2016 I was a part of a community advocacy organization called the WNC Advocacy League which operated out of Woodfin, NC. We did a variety of volunteer work including being present with people in court dealing with domestic/familial abuse, helping support houseless and impoverished folks get access to resources, serving meals for people in the community, and building ramps to make homes wheelchair accessible. To me, being a part of the Union is an extension of this work. In the Union, I'm looking out for people and their well being. It's like a family experience. The help I received from friends and family when I was younger had a lasting impression, and it’s now my goal to help folks wherever I can.
As many of you know, Hurricane Helene devastated much of Western NC. After Helene hit, I jumped in the car to check in on my neighbors up and down the mountain. At first, I was trapped between two fallen trees and an active mudslide. Myself and others in the community busted out chainsaws to clear roads and were able to get out of the immediate area of my house Friday morning to help neighbors displaced and affected by the flooding. Once I checked in on neighbors, I made it out to Asheville and stayed at my jobsite overnight with ART to maintain the ability to drive an evacuation bus. Communities have come together in so many ways to look after one another! This is why I chose to live where I do!
I did what I could to check in with my Union brothers and sisters. One Union brother ran out of food, so my family fed him, and then I helped connect him to fuel distribution, as well as drive him to Newport, Tn. The community of Spring Creek started holding daily meetings to check in and create plans to support one another. The following Friday I began working with IBEW Local 238 to help run supplies to neighborhoods, elder care facilities, and apartment complexes where there was need. I’ve used my knowledge of the roads in Western NC to help direct volunteers bringing in supplies to take safe paths while the roads are slowly being cleared and repaired. We’re thankful for the support, resources and volunteers coming in. If you want to support communities in Western NC while we recover from the tragedy, listen to locals and have a plan that includes working with local organizations on the ground.
Find a list of resources for Helene recovery efforts in this Western NC Helene Resource Guide. Union members can also donate to the AFL-CIO Union Community Fund at aflcio.org/relief.