Love of Music Runs in Steward Linda Maxwell-Mack’s Family

Linda Maxwell-Mack likes to sing, whether it’s in her church’s choir, performing with her sisters or “singing” the praises of her union.

“I’ll tell anyone who asks me about how grateful I am to have a union job,” she said.

Maxwell-Mack is grateful for the benefits and the job security that comes with working under a union contract.

“I’ve seen people who were not in the union dismissed without cause,” she said. “That can’t happen to a union member. The union has our backs and we have access to the grievance procedure.”

Maxwell-Mack is a steward and a Case Manager II at the Henrietta Weill Memorial Child guidance Clinic in Bakersfield.

“We work with children ages 6 - 18,” she said. “I also work with the parents of preschool children with behavior problems.” Maxwell-Mack, who was born and raised in Fresno, comes from a singing family. She gets together with her four sisters once a year to sing at each other’s churches.

“We live all over the place now,” she said. “Singing together is a good way to keep our family in contact.” her niece, Audra McDonald, is a four-time Tony-Award winning Broadway star currently co-starring in the TV series Private Practice.

“I guess you could say music is in our family’s genes,” Maxwell-Mack said.

My sisters and I also sang professionally in other church choirs around our hometown.

”Maxwell-Mack said she is busy working with her union representatives to prepare for  

upcoming contract negotiations. “It’s great to have union professionals available to negotiate for you,” she said. “They have the skills needed to get us the best contract we can get. It’s just another advantage of being in the union.”

Maxwell-Mack is also busy getting acquainted with her new family. She recently married gary Mack after a three-year courtship. Now, in addition to her three adult children and nine grandchildren ranging in age from 4 to 20, she has eight new stepchildren and 13 new step grandchildren.

“It’s a good thing I like a big family,” Maxwell-Mack said with a smile.

Maxwell-Mack recently returned to work after a three-month leave to help her daughter after she gave birth prematurely. “I didn’t miss a paycheck,” she said.

“I was able to accumulate enough time over the years so that I could help my daughter and still get paid. I wouldn’t have been able to do that if I didn’t work at a union job.” 

At her recent wedding, Linda Maxwell-Mack, center, is flanked by her sisters. From left: Phyllis, Susan, Linda, Cheri and Sandra.

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