“I’ve always been a person who wants to help. It’s that dedication to service that I appreciated as a Steward, and I wanted to continue in a deeper role. Teaching our members and Stewards to protect their rights on the job is very important to me.”

Chris Tongay performs many roles for Local 688: Group Coordinator, Business Agent, Real Estate Manager, pension Trustee, even unofficial tech support. He finds the work of Business Agent rewarding, particularly when he is able to negotiate a better contract for workers or help a member who was unjustly fired get their job back. “I enjoy this kind of work. I like fighting for members,” Tongay said.

Career Overview:

– Currently Manages: 2 shops (around 3,000 members): UPS, Sears Service

– Labor Experience:

• 1986-2001: Driver, United Parcel Service (Full-time, 1996-2001)

• 1989-2001: Shop Steward, United Parcel Service

• 2001-Present: Business Agent, Local 688; President/CEO, 688 Real Estate Corp; Group Coordinator for Local 688 Business Agents

– Appointments:

• Chairman, Teamster-UPS Missouri-Kansas-Nebraska Joint Area Grievance Committee

• Trustee, Teamster Negotiated Pension Plan

• Union Co-Chair, UPS Central Region 9.5 Committee

• Teamster-UPS Central Region Negotiating Committee

– Personal:

• Family – Married wife Christine, a public school teacher, in 1989. They have a daughter, Hannah, who is in college studying architecture.

• Hobbies/Interests – woodworking; golf; flying (is a licensed pilot); owns a 2007 Harley FXDWG and rides as much as possible