Meet the Candidates!

Erin Borgardt for Secretary-Treasurer

Erin is an SDZWA Local 481 member. She organized Zoo Solidarity, a grass-roots contract campaign that mobilized SDZWA members to vote down a substandard offer and win a stronger contract.

Erin’s experience includes:

  • Certified training in Grievance handling and arbitration from the Los Angeles Trade Technical College

  • Completed courses in Internal and External Union Organizing 

  • Contract Costing and Contract Drafting

Unions are under attack — and Erin’s technical skills and organizing experience will strengthen Local 481 by lifting all barriers to participation for members. 

— “We should be using the full force of our collective power to advocate for better working conditions, living wages, and respect from all Local 481 Employers. Whether you work at Penske, Ace, UPS, SDZWA, you deserve communication and transparency. You deserve a union that is proactive and motivated to improve your life on the job every day.” 

Brandon Rowley for President

My name is Brandon Rowley, I’m an employee of the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and have been a member of Local 481 throughout my 12 year tenure.

I spent the last two years with the grassroots team effort to rally support from the membership at SDZWA to reject a subpar contract and secure a better future for many of our members. After learning a great deal about how other Locals operate under strong visionaries, I realized just how much our union was letting it’s membership down. I believe strongly that under new leadership, our union can operate much more efficiently and transparently, while providing a greater depth of resources and benefits for all members of Local 481.

I was motivated to run for President of our Local after more than a decade of consistent disappointment from our union. Weak contracts, minimal follow up with enforcement, and lack of transparency have made the lives of my coworkers more difficult. It doesn’t have to be this way. A union that operates under highly motivated staff has the potential to positively impact the lives of thousands of our working class colleagues. This December, we have the opportunity to build a union that lives up to our highest ideals - a union that works hard every day for all of us, regardless of shop or job classification.

Jorge Sanchez for Vice President

Jorge is a 41-year Local 481 Teamster at the San Diego Zoo and brings decades of experience in our union.

He is an experienced communicator and has been a media spokesperson for both English and Spanish language media, a tour guide to United States Presidents, Congressmen, Admirals, and even the Dali Lama. As a Local 481 Officer, Jorge will bring decades of experience in understanding union members’ issues and needs. He will also put his communication skills to work for the membership.

Jorge believes that our union has the potential to win stronger contracts and more respect on the job with more transparency and clear, direct communication. The time has come to stop leaving members in the dark and expand our knoweldge and community as Local 481 Teamsters.

“Unions are vital for better working conditions, better wages, and protection from unfair practices from employers. Unions are a great way to meet fellow members and expand our knowledge in improving work life for all of us. This is our opportunity to be more involved and help take the union in a better direction for each member.”

Cat Wintersteen for Recording Secretary

My name is Cat Wintersteen and I have been a Horticulturist for the Safari Park and 481 Teamster since 2023. Last year, I put my commitment to the rank-and-file of local 481 into action by becoming a shop steward, working to educate members on their union rights and support them in the workplace. I am also an active member of Teamsters for a Democratic Union and the Coalition of Labor Union Women, organizations that both work towards advancing and strengthening the cause of the labor movement.

During the most recent contract campaign, I worked with other SDZWA horticulturists to unite our department across both campuses to unanimously vote down a subpar contract. As recording secretary, I hope to further my commitment to informing, educating, and empowering the members of Teamsters Local 481.

Connie Real for Trustee

Connie is a twenty-year Teamster in the Buildings and Grounds Department at SDZWA. Connie is running for office because for too long our local union has been losing power while management has gotten stronger and more organized. That culminated in the loss of our pension five years ago.

We need change to protect and improve benefits for current and future members. We cannot keep doing the same thing and expecting different results. As a union officer, Connie will work to unite all members of 481. For the Zoo, she will make sure that B&G member concerns are heard. She will focus on union education so that all members know about our rights and benefits, and how to organize to protect and improve them.