Roberto Delgado

Roberto Delgado
AGCO, Machinist
Hometown: Newton, Kansas
Local Number 11228, USW District # 11
Years as USW Member: 8

What is unusual about your hometown, workplace or job?

 Hesston, Kansas, is a small town. But its population swells by the hundreds every day with the nearly 1,000 USW members who build combines and other farm equipment at AGCO.

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

This is our union. Everybody has a voice. It also gives me the idea of trying to encourage other people who are not union. If you are willing and want to better your life, this is here, this is an opportunity for you. 

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

Protecting our wage scale tied to inflation. It’s really benefited members this year.

What’s your go-to dance move?

 I was born in Mexico. I enjoy dancing to Mexican music and taking the dance floor with my wife, Miriam.

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

“Pepas” by Farruko

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?

The Rock. I follow him on social media and the other outlets. He’s kind of down to earth. His background and his story—I think we could relate.

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

I’m involved in presenting the report of the Appeals Committee. With this big a crowd, it’s going to be intimidating. But I hope to do good on that. My wife is joining me here. I want to show her what this union—what this event—means to me and the other people here. It will give her an opportunity to see something she hasn’t been able to.

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

Kansas is a conservative state, and it’s sometimes difficult to talk to people about unions. I’d like to hear what (AFL-CIO President) Liz Shuler and others have to say about having those conversations.


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