I was raised in Eagle Point, Oregon with my two younger brothers. My
mother was a single parent, raising three children on her own, until she
married my step-father in 1977. As she struggled to provide for us, she
worked long hours and attended nursing school so she could give my
brothers and me the opportunities that she never had. Ours was not a
Union household, nor did my family come from a Union background, yet my
mother's example instilled in me many of the Union values that I live by
to this day- hard work, commitment, sacrifice. She taught me that
anything important or worth attaining does not come without great effort
and dedication.
After high school, I moved to Texas to attend the University of Houston.
In 1988, I was hired as an air traffic controller at Houston Center and
have been working the boards there for over 20 years. My Union activism
started almost the day I walked in the door. As a trainee, FAA
management asked me to attend a workgroup for the screen because they
wanted more minorities in the group. I politely declined their
invitation and stated firmly that I would never accept any assignment
based on my gender or race. I made it clear that my abilities as a
controller were the only yardstick with which I should be measured and I
would stand on those merits alone. My Union Representative admired my
integrity and saw in me a future NATCA leader.
My activism with NATCA began as a Quality-Through-Partnership (QTP)
facilitator. I then ran for, and served, three terms as the Houston
Center’s facility representative. Those six years molded and solidified
my beliefs in Unionism, the importance of solidarity, and the value of
being part of a bigger cause. I developed the belief that it was
important to lead by example. Effective leaders motivate, encourage
activism, and communicate local and national goals. I learned that by
leading in this manner I have been able to garner maximum support and
buy-in from the membership.
As my activism evolved, I realized that, while it is always important to
stay focused on the local membership and their needs, it is equally
important to engage on a regional and national level for the betterment
of the Union as a whole. In response to this realization, I sought
opportunities to engage in our Union beyond the local level.
From 1996-1999, I chaired the National Organizing Committee and served
as a team member on the Article 8/9 national workgroup. After six years
as Facrep, I decided not to seek a fourth term. In 2001, confident in
the abilities of our new Facrep, I accepted a position on the National
Legislative Committee as the Southwest Region Legislative Chair. I
served in that capacity until I was elected National Chair of the NLC in
2005 where I currently serve in my second term.
I have put heart and soul into every position I've held in NATCA. I've
undertaken each challenge with tenacity and commitment and I have
enjoyed every moment spent working on behalf of our members. No matter
what position I've held in the past, or whatever position I may hold in
the future, my true passion, love and belief will always be in the
members of this great Union. Each and every member is my Sister or
Brother. Our members are a part of my family and my commitment to them
is absolute.
My incredible husband John is a retired air traffic controller and
served as a dedicated and committed NATCA representative at ZHU and was
the national OWCP representative for many years. His understanding of
our cause and willingness to support me makes it possible for me to do
the Union work I love. John and I live in Spring, Texas and have been
married since 1989. We have two wonderful children, a 24 year old
daughter Jenna and a 16 year old son John Colby. My mother and father
live just a few houses from us and I have a wonderful extended family of
neighbors and friends in our cul-de-sac.
Air Traffic Controller at ZHU from 1988
- present
NATCA Trial Committees
Quality-Through-Partnership (QTP) Coordinator 1992-1994
ZHU Facility Representative 1994-2000 (three terms)
SW Region Training Cadre 1995-1997
National Organizing Committee Chair 1996-1999
Article 8/9 National Workgroup 1999
Delegate to 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002 NATCA National Conventions
Vice President NATCA Charitable Foundation 1998-2000
President NATCA Charitable Foundation 2001 - 2009 (currently a Director)
National Legislative Committee, SW Region Chair 2001-2005
National Legislative Committee Chair 2005-Present
Training:
Quality-Through-Partnership (QTP )
Facilitator
Mediation - Federal Mediation Conciliation Services (FMCS)
Basic and Advanced Facrep class
Arbitration class
Office of Workers Compensation Program (OWCP) course Dept. of Labor
HATCH Act Office of Special Counsel
Legislative Training, Capitol Advantage
Listen to the National Legislative Committee
report by Trish at the NATCA convention
The Shirt Off Her Back
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)
"Do you have any stickers?" asked home repair workers as labor walk
volunteers Trish Gilbert and Jason Arnold hit the doors in Arlington, VA
today. With no Obama stickers in hand, Gilbert gave the workers the next
best thing: the shirt off her back. The distinctive bright yellow
National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) GOTV t-shirt was
much appreciated by the workers, and Gilbert promised "I'll be back here
later and will make sure to bring you some stickers." Gilbert and Arnold
are in Virginia to finish off a whirlwind NATCA Labor 2008 effort that
put hundreds of volunteers in the field across the country. -
report/photo by Andy Richards
http://www.dclabor.org/ht/display/ArticleDetails/i/74104