Introducing Our Newest Labor Rep!
SLOCEA is proud to welcome Carrie McGrath to our staff team. Many of our members already know Carrie from her time on the SLOCEA Board of Directors, where she was recognized for her inquisitive nature, thoughtful questions, and commitment to making informed decisions. Now, Carrie is bringing that same dedication and energy into her new role supporting our members directly.
Carrie comes to SLOCEA after more than 21 years with the County, where she worked in Social Services. She began her career as an Eligibility Resource Specialist (ERS I) and worked her way up to ERS IIII before becoming a Program Review Specialist. In that position, she ensured county policies and procedures remain aligned with state regulations.
Some of her most meaningful work was with the Bringing Families Home, where she helped connect families to safe housing. For Carrie, the most rewarding moments were that even in a behind-the-scenes role she played a part in helping families secure housing.
“Affordable housing is such a major issue in our county. When you can help a family who has been homeless for years, or children who have never had a home, it’s incredibly special to see them finally get a place of their own,” Carrie shared.
Carrie deeply valued the team she worked with in Social Services. With a personal desire to continue growing and learning new skills, she was drawn to the opportunity at SLOCEA, where she is eager to put her passion for advocacy and member service into practice.
Since joining the staff, Carrie has been especially impressed by the negotiations process.
“I had read about negotiations before, but you don’t truly appreciate the work until you see it firsthand. It is hard while reading portal posts to truly realize all the effort that goes into securing those gains. I now have a whole new appreciation for the work of past and present negotiation teams,” she said.
Carrie is excited to advocate for members, support stewards, and connect with worksites across the county. She credits Senior Labor Representative, Theresa Schultz for her “learn by doing” mentorship, which has given her the confidence to jump right in.
Outside of work, Carrie enjoys reading, baking, and even makes her own vanilla extract using beans sourced from around the world. She explained that it is a process that takes patience and time. She also enjoys catching up on shows like Game of Thrones and spending time with her family, but her number one hobby is being a grandmother to her two-year-old granddaughter.
With her experience, energy, and heart for service, Carrie is already proving to be a natural fit within SLOCEA. We look forward to seeing all the ways she will continue to support and strengthen our union family.
Briana Dickey, Office Administrator