Kisha Byrd

What is unusual about your hometown, workplace or job?

Our workplace is like a little city in itself because there are so many different buildings. You could actually get lost in there if you didn’t know where you were going.

What does this year’s theme, “Everybody’s Union” mean to you?

When I speak to our new hires, if they don’t feel like they are a “union person,” I make sure they know that this is a union for everybody. Without each individual, there would be no union. We all have our different personalities that come together to create what we have.

What issues will be important when your Local’s contract expires?

Number one is probably making sure our pension stays where it is. Also, getting reproductive rights and domestic violence language into the contract is important. And seniority is very important. Right now, the company uses the seniority language to divide us, and we need to work on that.

What’s your go-to dance move?

I’m going to go old school. It was called the “Freaky Deaky,” but I don’t think they call it that anymore.

Every leader has a good tune to walk out to when introduced. What’s your walk-up song?

“Girl on Fire,” by Alicia Keys.

Who would you most like to have dinner with, and why: Jennifer Lopez, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, George R.R. Martin, Liz Cheney, Michael Jordan, or Drake?

I’d love to have dinner with Michael Jordan. He worked hard at his craft, he worked hard to achieve his status. And after he achieved all of that, he was able to give back. I want to do the same, to give back to those who come after me.

What things have you done or hope to do while you’re here?

I want to be more educated. I’ve been CLUW (Coalition of Labor Union Women) conventions before, but this is my first USW convention. So education and building solidarity, that’s what is important. And having a little fun while we’re doing all of that.

Have you yet decided how you will put the convention to work when you return home?

I’m on the Resolutions Committee, so I am going to make sure that the resolutions we pass here are implemented at our local and make sure our members understand them.