Officers of Local 49
Jason George
Business Manager/Financial Secretary
I am extremely proud and humbled that the members of Local 49 have put their faith in me to lead this incredible organization. I have been a member of this great union since 2008, and in that time, I have worked every day to make sure that our members have good paying jobs and a strong union.
Growing up, I was raised by a single mother in the St. Paul area. I watched my mother work two jobs to keep a roof over our head, and struggle to keep us afloat. I learned what it is like to be one missed paycheck, one flat tire, one illness away from life unraveling. The life experiences I had as a kid shape who I am, and they shape the kind of leader I want to be. I eventually made it to the University of Minnesota where I studied Political Science, but it didn’t compare to the education I got growing up.
My uncle was the President of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1005 in Minnesota, and he taught me everything I know about what it means to represent working class people. I ran for this job because I saw the good my uncle did for the membership he cared so much about. I wanted to spend my career working on behalf of the people who are the backbone of our great nation. This great Local Union has given me the chance to do that every single day.
The biggest part of my experience working for you has been in the political arena. I have built relationships on both sides of the aisle and have pushed our Union to be non-partisan. That effort has paid off, Local 49 is as respected in the offices of republican elected officials as we are with democrats. Minnesota is the only state in the upper Midwest that hasn’t gone right to work, and still has prevailing wage. That isn’t by accident, and we have led the way in those victories. I have also worked to build relationships with business owners and fellow labor leaders that have positioned us as a major force for job creation and worker strength in our region.
I’m proud of the work I’ve done with you in the past. But I’m more excited about the future. There is no limit to what we can achieve together. I look forward to working with you to ensure that Local 49 is stronger than we found it and built to thrive another 100 years.
Clayton Johnson
President
As President of Local 49, it is without a doubt, one of the greatest honors and privileges of my 28 years as a member of Local 49. I am looking forward to the challenges that are before us whether they are economic or political in nature. We as a Labor organization need to stay active on all fronts; it’s obvious one strongly affects the other. I will continue to take all concerns presented to Local 49 and give them the due diligence they deserve.
Local 49 was chartered in June of 1927. The contracts that all Local 49 members work under have taken literally decades to build. The terms and conditions we currently work under have not come easily, our Brothers and Sister before us, have fought hard to ensure the integrity of the contracts are maintained. History has shown that through the process of collective bargaining, each generation must continue to strive to make the terms and conditions better for each generation that follows. It is all of our responsibility to maintain the highest level of professionalism at all times. This is the task that WE as Union members are given.
Be proud to be a member of Organized Labor and a member of I.U.O.E. Local 49, I know that I am.
Ryan Davies
Vice President
As your Vice President of Local 49 I want to say that it is a honor and privilege to be working with the Local 49 membership. I am from northern Minnesota and a first generation member of Local 49. I started out in the industry out of state in directional drilling. When I returned to Minnesota, my experience included working at powerhouses, paper mills and in the mines on the Iron Range. I am extremely passionate about progression Local 49 in the future, and ensuring that our members, their families and this entire union has a strong and successful future. Thank you once again for the opportunity to serve as your Vice President.
Steve Piper
Recording-Corresponding Secretary
I first want to thank the membership of Local 49 for allowing me to serve as your Recording-Corresponding Secretary. I became a member of Local 49 in 2000 and began working in the crane industry on the rental side. I was then hired as an Organizer with Local 49 back in October 2006, and later transitioned into an Area Business Representative in 2015.
I am honored and humbled that the membership has placed its trust in me as your Recording-Corresponding Secretary. With your trust I will work tirelessly on your behalf to help address the challenges this union may face in the future, while also helping to secure lasting and meaningful improvements to the members and their family’s quality of life.
Oscar Sletten
Treasurer
As a member of Local 49 since 1998, I started my career as an masonry forklift and crane operator working on numerous projects in southern Minnesota and the metro area. From 2004 to 2013 I had the honor of working for Local 49 as an organizer. I am currently working for Vic’s Crane and Heavy Haul as an operator. It is a great honor to have been chosen by the membership to be the Treasurer of Local 49. I look forward to working with the other officers, staff and members to ensure our great Union and all of our families have a bright and prosperous future.