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IVP Gingello Published

"On May 15, 1946, my father, James Gingello, was one of the 489 city workers fired because they dared to join a union. Ten days later, 50,000 Rochester workers walked off their jobs for 22 hours in protest over the firings," wrote Anthony Gingello-president of Local 1635 and an International vice president-in the Rochester, N.Y., Democrat and Chronicle. Gingello's piece was published May 30, on the 50th anniversary of "The Day Labor Stood Still," a strike that earned bargaining rights for Rochester city workers.

"Half a century has passed, but the issues that provoked Rochester's general strike of '46 are still with us today," wrote Gingello. "Worker rights are still violated every day, 50 years later, and that's why people around the world continue to look to unions to give them a voice on the job."

AIDS Quilt

More than 45,000 panels of the AIDS Memorial Quilt will be displayed in Washington, D.C., October 11-13. AFSCME, along with other unions, will assist by staffing a "Labor Cares" information booth, and by walking in a candlelight vigil on October 12. Also, the Centers for Disease Control will print a poster listing the names of union members who have been lost to AIDS. If you would like to participate in these projects, or if you have names of AFSCME members who have died of AIDS, call John Bonnage, AFSCME AIDS Program, (202) 429-1240.

Settlement for Council 33 and 47

Philadelphia city workers of District Councils 33 and 47 approved a four-year contract that grants a $1,100 signing bonus for the current year, followed by raises of three, three and four percent in each of the next three years.

The contract proposal also calls for an increase in the city's health and welfare contributions and recovery of a holiday lost in negotiations four years ago.

Maryland Grants its Employees Collective Bargaining Rights

Maryland Gov. Parris Glendening issued an executive order granting Maryland state employees collective bargaining rights after years of members' phone calls and letter writing.

AFSCME organizers have launched a campaign to collect authorization cards among some 47,000 state employees. A representation election is expected to be held later this year.

 

AFSCME Family Scholarship

Applications for the AFSCME Family Scholarship are now being accepted. They must be postmarked no later than December 31, 1996.

The $2,000 scholarship will be awarded to ten children of AFSCME members who are graduating from high school in 1997. The scholarship may be renewed for up to four years, as long as the student is enrolled in a full-time, four-year college degree program.

Applicants must submit an essay, high school transcripts and SAT or ACT scores. Winners will be announced March 31, 1997.

For details, write AFSCME's Education Department, 1625 L St. NW, Washington, DC 20036-5687 or call (202) 429-1250 or use e-mail:JCasey@afscme.org before December 13.