Valaree Villanueva-Ramirez
Being an aircraft mechanic for the past 18 years and a union member has been the driving force behind my activism in the labor movement. My passion began when I was first hired by L3 Communications in 2006 as an aircraft mechanic. I worked on several wide body aircrafts and King Airs. I was a member of UAW local 967 where I served as recording secretary for 6 years and was on several committees as well as being a convention delegate. I then transferred to Kingsville, TX in 2012 where I became a member of the IAM local 2340 where I worked on the T-45 Goshawk training jet. Here I served the membership as a steward, District delegate, recording secretary, and President and also chaired the Women’s Committee. During this time, I was also fortunate to attend the Ruth Ellinger Labor Leader School. Over the years I have learned and gained many skills and tools to help me be an effective leader. Currently I service Corpus Christi, Kingsville, Rio Grande Valley, and Houston. I have committed my life to service and to continue holding the bar for labor unions and empowering the working class.