Interview with Donna Balducci-Lopez

Allow me to introduce you to Donna Balducci-Lopez. 

Cynthia Orr: Hi Donna, please introduce yourself to everyone. 

Donna Balducci-Lopez: Hello!  My name is Donna Balducci-Lopez and I am an Administrative Specialist III in the Student Life Office.  I've been a full-time employee at Mt. SAC for nearly 39 years.  

C.O.: Wow, 39 years, that is incredible! You joined the union in 1987. What made you want to be a part of the union at that time? 

D.B-L.: Being a union-represented employee has always been important to me.   Growing up, my dad was a liquor salesman, worked for Southern Wines & Spirits, and was a Teamster.  A union meant having advocates to increase wages, family benefits, pensions, as well as increased job security and fair treatment from supervisors.   

C.O.: That is quite the example you had growing up. Did it make you want to serve in the union or on classified committees? 

D.B-L.: I served as the CSEA Treasurer in the early 1990's when statements were snail-mailed to us and reconciled on paper!  I served on the Classified Senate Constitution Writing Committee also in the early 1990's with campus legends Paul Mercier &  Jan Freeman and others. I also served on the following: Calendar Committee (2000), CSEA Elections Committee (2012), CSEA Audit Committee (2022), and Various hiring committees. 

C.O.: We are going to age ourselves, but I remember a time when requisitions were handwritten and done on carbon paper. Good times. Any other memorable union activities? 

D.B-L.: I participated in the Support Personnel Staff Development Retreat in 1990 and the Great Staff Retreat in 2019 at the UCLA Lake Arrowhead Lodge.  Both of these retreats are now known as the Great Staff Summit. 

C.O.: I attended in 2018 and it was well worth it, I still have friends from that retreat in different areas on campus! Speaking of things changing what is the biggest positive change you have personally experienced due to the union? 

D.B-L.: Thanks to our dedicated and hard-working members on the Negotiation Team, each time a contract is negotiated, we all experience positive changes.  Upon immediately being hired, the greatest gift the union gave me was eligibility for lifetime medical for my husband and me upon retirement 🙂 Additionally, and more recently, having the ability to OPT OUT of medical coverage was long overdue! Oh - and can't forget the ability to work remotely when needed!   

C.O.: I think we can all say a big thanks for those changes. I for one am still in amazement over our new summer schedules. What a huge win! With all your experience what is the best advice you would give to a new union member? 

D.B-L.: Something doesn't sound right, or a little off?  Ask an E-Board member or go to the source.  Do your own research and do not rely on campus rumors. We are given release time to attend all union meetings!  Go and ask questions! Become a member of the Victory Club, which “allows us to continue the amazing work in Sacramento, including electing pro-classified local board members as well as lobbying for and helping pass important legislation that improves the lives of our members!" Finally, contribute to the CSEA Dorothy Bjork Assistance Fund "which helps members in times of crisis with two different programs: the Humanitarian Assistance and Emergency Assistance programs. These programs help provide financial relief to members in need, and they rely solely on donations from members and staff like you." 

C.O.: Great advice and some insight into programs others may not know about. Any other thoughts you would like to share regarding the union and the 100th anniversary? 

D.B-L.: I appreciate and thank all of our members who step up and volunteer to run our organization.  They spend many hours outside of their regular work schedule to provide the best service and benefits to our CSEA 262 members! 

C.O.: Well said Donna. Now for the super fun rapid fire get to know you questions. That is the technical term. 

Super Fun Rapid Fire Get to Know You Questions

1. Live Theater or Movie Theater - Movie Theater 

2. Sweet or Savory - Sweet  

3. Furthest destination you have traveled to - Guadalajara 

4. Hobbies? - Relaxing, going for walks, playing solitaire, organizing my home 

5. Which emoji do you use the most? - Smiley face 

6. If you could have any job on campus for a day, what would it be? - My job!  Nothing else! 

7. Go to comfort food - Italian 

8. One thing on your bucket list - Retire healthy 

9. What are you reading or watching right now? - Victoria (Netflix) 

10. Would you rather land your dream job or win the lottery? - Definitely win the lottery! 

You heard it here first, everyone. Donna loves her job and the union, so join her and the rest of us in celebrating 100 years of progress! Thank you Donna for your time and for letting us all get to know you better.