2019 WASTECON

Jennifer Grondahl
Organizing and Field Services Coordinator
LIUNA Local 777


Jennifer J. Grondahl is currently both the Recording Secretary and Organizing & Field Services Coordinator for Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) Local 777. Jennifer has also been a California State certified mediator since 2008. Jennifer began her career of passionate advocacy for all working people in Kansas in 1994. Seeking a wider impact, she transitioned over to LIUNA as an international organizer, where she led successful unionization throughout the U.S. and Canada. After organizing the 5,000 plus workers in southern California that initially comprised LIUNA 777, Jennifer had a desire to again directly better the lives of the workers of this new local. So, in 1999, she returned to her roots to work for LIUNA 777, where she redressed individual grievances, improved working conditions and engaged in contract negotiations. Over time, her responsibilities expanded to her current position where she is able to utilize all of her skills and experiences in solving individual, local and systemic challenges in new synergistic ways. Jennifer credits her success to a focus on finding creative ways for labor and management to work more cooperatively, which not only creates better workplace environments but ultimately benefits management as well. As but one example, for the past five years, Jennifer has been part of innovative efforts to recruit and retain public employees by jointly designing and implementing apprenticeship programs in non-construction work, e.g., the Solid Waste Equipment Operator (SWEO) apprenticeship program in Phoenix, Arizona. In her limited spare time - when she is not leading efforts to make workplaces safer, healthier and more efficient - Jennifer is a long-distance runner, as well as an enthusiastic landscape photographer with a particular passion for documenting murals in urban spaces.

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