Cody Stryker, President of Auburn local 3142 Auburn Community Hospital, is known for fighting tirelessly for his members. He lives his life trying to make his grandmother proud.

Cody’s childhood was tumultuous, as his young life started with a single mother and a father who was incarcerated. Consequently, he was raised by his grandparents. Cody remembers his grandmother Sharon Stryker fondly. Sharon was a dedicated Auburn Community Hospital nurse in the behavioral health unit for over 17 years.

According to Cody, his grandmother was “passionate about serving people” and was the “most amazing person.” In addition to working in a tough job taking care of patients in mental health crisis she also dedicated her time serving in both a volunteer ambulance unit and a volunteer fire department unit. She was known in the Auburn community as someone who would help anyone and would “go above and beyond for everybody.” Cody’s grandmother was “his person” and made him “feel loved.” Cody says that if you’re “lucky enough to be around someone like my grandma be forever grateful.” Tragically, Sharon had a heart attack and died a month after Cody’s 12th birthday. Because of how beloved Sharon was “everybody went to her funeral”, from grocery store employees to hairdressers to food service workers, everyone in Auburn mourned the loss of an Auburn community treasure.

After his grandmother’s sudden death, Cody was angry and lost for a few years. At the age of 16, while in high school, he realized it was time to start letting go of his anger. He decided to apply for a part-time job at the same place his grandmother had dedicated her life, Auburn Community Hospital. In his first job, he had the chance to help with nourishment of nursing home residents and activities like bowling and bingo. He “loved working with residents.”

Cody then moved up to full-time work in housekeeping and subsequently to overnight switchboard for six years. Two years ago, he received a promotion and is now the Senior House Float. In this role he floats to different departments and oversees switchboard operators. He takes call ins and is on call 24/7. In this busy role, he is also responsible for setting up the schedule. Cody is a self-described “people person” and loves that in his role he’s constantly interacting with members across many departments. Cody says he has “the best coworkers”, “everyone is always covered” and “we’re a family.” Cody says he is a “huge fan” of Rose Allen in the mailroom, a dedicated employee who has been with the hospital for over 40 years.

For Cody, the most difficult part of the job is seeing people sick. “it’s tough seeing people lose the people they love, especially as someone who experienced life changing loss. I can pick up what people are feeling. I feel their sorrow. I’m very sensitive to people who are grieving.”

About a year and a half ago, Cody was recruited by other employees to run for office and decided to run for union president. He decided to get involved in the union because he’s “not someone to just sit around and complain.” He’s someone who wants to improve conditions. He “wants to fight for all the members”.

Cody has been supported by fellow union leader Becky Harris. He says that she has been the “biggest help and has been “amazing.” “Whether I call her at 10pm or 6am for advice, she always responds. Even though she was with the former leadership team she’s always willing to help and always willing to pick up the phone.” Cody is exuberant as he talks about his entire union leadership team.

Cody loves that in his union role, he can advocate for members. In one case he advocated for a clerk to be paid equitably in line with other clerks. In another case, he was able to advocate for a member to be promoted from housekeeping to working as a phlebotomist. She is now excelling in this position. He’s able to be a strong advocate because he’s built relationships throughout the hospital.

Cody is especially passionate about fighting for long-term employees. He believes the hospital needs to do more to show long-term employees they are valued. This is the first time he has been involved in contract negotiations. As he’s tirelessly advocating for members, he sees the hospital making improvements and starting to understand that employees are underpaid. “Turnover costs money too.”

His advice for others “do not wait 14 years like I did to get involved in your union.” “Once involved, you realize how much power you have and how much of a voice you have. We learn and grow together.”

AFSCME Council President Rich Canazzi says in talking about Cody “Every once in a while, we witness a labor movement star. Cody is someone who truly knows the meaning of unity and how to achieve it. Cody has demonstrated in his time as president just what determination, integrity and solidarity can achieve.”

Cody is over the anger he felt losing his grandmother. Now he just feels “super appreciative.” “Some people never have the guidance and example my grandma provided.” Cody’s hopes of making his grandmother proud seem to have become a reality. Cody is exceedingly humble and may not acknowledge it. Yet, Cody, the people person, the tireless advocate for others, the relationship builder, the fighter for Auburn Community Hospital patients and staff, whether he knows it or not, is living his grandmother’s example every day. Cody has become his grandmother’s greatest legacy.