And the Winners Are...
STROUDSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA
Foreman Barry Schaffer is a living, working example that ability counts — not disability.
A Vietnam veteran, Schaffer was severely injured by an exploding land mine — losing both legs and an arm. He went through two years of therapy and training. Then, in 1971, he took a job with Pennsylvania’s Department of Transportation where he is a member of AFSCME Local 2244 (Council 88).
Last May, Pennsylvania AFSCME Council 13 presented Schaffer its 20th Annual Disabled Member Award. His co-workers had nominated him, citing his dedication to the union and his unflagging will to succeed in the face of adversity.
AFSCME RECOGNITION. Because of its long-standing program of honoring individual members with disabilities, Council 13 received one of the two awards AFSCME presents annually to affiliates in partnership with the National Organization on Disability. The awards recognize work to assist members with disabilities.
The other award went to New York City D.C. 37 for its program to help workers returning to work after being out on disability leave for mental health problems. Operated in conjunction with Columbia University’s Workplace Center, the program provides support for the member and the supervisors/co-workers on the job.
DON’T MISS OUT. Small and large councils and local unions have been recognized since the award’s inception. In some cases the winning affiliate has helped one worker; in others many have been helped. Your council/ local union could be a winner, too. (See box below.) Two winning affiliates will each receive $500.
The 1998 awards will be presented at AFSCME’s International Convention which will be held in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Get your nomination into the mail. You could be the next winner.
| AFSCME and the National Organization on Disability are again sponsoring awards to councils and local unions for efforts to improve the lives of AFSCME members with disabilities, both in and out of the workplace. Two $500 prizes will be awarded in 1998.
Councils and locals can nominate themselves by writing to Kerry Korpi, Director, AFSCME Department of Research and Collective Bargaining Services, 1625 L St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036-5687. Materials should describe the council’s or local’s activities during the past year and must be postmarked by July 15, 1998. All nominations should be accompanied by a cover letter from the council/local president or director. For more details, contact the department at (202) 429-1215. |
