Theresa Kandt’s involvement in union activism began at an early age when her mother, who is a CWA member, was involved in a right to work campaign in Oklahoma.
Kandt became involved with OPEIU in 1983 when she was the first person to sign a union card at her UAW Legal Services Plan office. Her leadership continued over the years as she held several positions on her local union Executive Board: President, Vice President, Recording Secretary and Trustee. Kandt is currently the Secretary-Treasurer of Local 42.
Kandt was hired as the local union’s Business Agent in 1987. She continues in that capacity today where she services approximately 90 collective bargaining agreements. She is also a National Executive Board member of the Coalition of Labor Union Women.
Kandt was elected Region VII Vice President in 1998 in Chicago and has continued to devote her efforts to servicing and organizing.