Hi, I’m Wayne Chan (he/him), and I’m running for District 6 Head Steward (Chair). I’m a Research Scientist Supervisor at the Department of Health Care Services, with 9 years’ experience in state service working on health care data science. Growing up in Richmond, California, I saw first hand the devastation wrought by deindustrialization and the erosion of worker power through offshoring.

Ever since becoming a UAW Local 2865 member in graduate school, I have been a believer in a progressive, worker-first union that is assertive in defending workers’ rights. As a rank and file CAPS member, I participated in the first-ever three-day strike of California state workers led by members of the current SDU slate, and I was energized and excited about the organizing and power among the rank and file. Furthermore, I was very proud of the contract we were able to achieve, and other union members are beginning to look to CAPS-UAW Local 1115 as an example of bargaining power and success. After my promotion to a supervisor position in 2024, I wanted to bring some of the energy and the participation of the rank and file to the supervisors’ districts, and that is the reason I want to get involved in a leadership position in District 6.

I have started a supervisor solidarity chat for non-LPLW classes, and have also helped my fellow supervisors assert their rights through grievances and reasonable accommodation requests. If elected, I will strive to empower more supervisors to help each other assert their rights while achieving the overall mission of serving and improving the lives of all Californians.

Thank you for your consideration of my candidacy as District 6 Head Steward (Chair) and I look forward to building a stronger union for all.

Fun fact: since becoming a UAW 2865 member, I have exclusively purchased UAW-assembled cars in solidarity.