Boycott continues at Plaza Hotel in Rochester Joint Board, UNITE HERE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION aid in picketing efforts OF THE The Joint Board will continue to ROCHESTER support the Rochester clergy’s REGIONAL boycott of the Plaza Hotel “for as long as it takes,” manager Gary JOINT BOARD, Bonadonna announced. Picketing photos by Luis Torres Luis photos by Picketing UNITE HERE Father Larry Tracy Rochester clergy leaders started new owner who is almost certain that boycott in to be more receptive to a union, or March after the we’re going to break him financial- hotel repeatedly ly. The ball is really in his court.” refused to give workers there a This summer, the Joint Board and free and fair pro- UNITE HERE teamed to hire a number Bonadonna cess to decide of college-age young people to join whether to have a union. The Joint the Board and CLUE volunteers on Board has supported that right since the picket lines. That step helped the Rochester Clergy and Laity ensure a significant number of United for Economic Justice (CLUE) picketers every day during the began the fight for workers over two hotel’s prime business hours. years ago. “I’ve been very impressed with these young men and women,” the Board manager said. “This goes far beyond simply a summer job for them. They really understand the issues and most have been activists Unions Bettering Lives on their campuses.” (See next Bonadonna met recently with the page for interviews with four of hotel’s owner in a futile attempt to those picketers.)  find a reasonable settlement. “Basi- cally, all the owner would say was, ‘Why me, why me, why are you picking on me?’ “The answer is very simple — he refuses to give his employees the right to choose whether they have a union,” Bona- donna emphasized. Volume 26

Number 110 Bonadonna said the owner has Fall, 2008 remained adamant and hostile. “If he doesn’t agree to the community organizing principles we long ago subscribed to, then there are only two possible outcomes.

“Either he’s going to get out of the hotel entirely so we can deal with a Miguel Casiano and Liz Baker Jake Allen Maggie Spallina Picketers tell why walking the line is important Editor’s Note: The Joint Board create that world is through Community College. Spallina and UNITE HERE recently team- activism. The only way changes comes by activism quite natural- ed up to hire a number of ever happen are through ly. Her mother, Teena Fitzroy, who college-age young people to people movements. The more I has cerebral palsy, founded help augment the ranks of got involved, the more I saw the what is now the Advocacy volunteers picketing the Roches- value of activism. I strongly Center in Rochester to help ter Plaza Hotel. Here are ex- people with disabilities. cerpts of interviews with four of them — Jake Allen, Maggie “I’m doing this because I had a Spallina, Sofira Bell-Materson and really bad boss, so I know first Meskerem Gebreyes. hand what that is like. He was verbally and sexually abusive believe that the Plaza workers *** *** *** *** *** *** *** with a lot of discrimination deserve having a fair process to Allen against women. I have been decide if they want a union or interested for some time in class Allen, a Monroe Community not. I believe in giving workers an College student, is an activist in issues. I looked around for some environment where they can the Rochester labor movement kind of group where I can talk freely about what they want. address those issues and realized and in the anti-war movement. This is incredibly important.” that unions are a perfect way to do that. “I am here picketing because I Spallina know what kind of world I want She is a student at Monroe to have, and the only way to (Continued on next page)

Sofira Bell-Materson Meskerem Gebreyes

T W O Picketers (Continued from preceeding page)

“I expect to be involved in some fashion for the rest of my life — I hope some day to be a labor organizer. To me, an activist has to be like a shark — you either swim or you die.

“In this country, we all know something is wrong. We’re not fooled anymore. But, until we convince people that complicit silence is the exact same thing as negative action, we’re all going to be screwed. You have Photos this page by Luis Torres Luis Photos this page by to be active, or you have no Ann Pitlyk, left, Aida Burgos, Taylor Vazquez-Simmons, Neyrissete Ramos, Modesta Santos, right to complain. If you see Epifanio Santos, Father Larry Tracy, Luis Sierra, Belen Colón, Alex Tornas-Raskin, Sandra something wrong and you don’t Molinari, and Molly Farrell do anything about it, you’re letting the negative happen. to workers . . . so they can get 1199 was negotiating a contract better pay, steady work sched- at the college. “We can see that the picketing ules and all the other things the is working. We see a real slow- union helps to bring. “I was very impressed with them down in the hotel’s business. and got involved in supporting Overall the picket line is been “I’m happy to help people try to their cause. I did the same thing incredibly successful.” get a fairer system that a union in my senior year when their can bring. A lot of people contract was again up for Gebreyes support us, and stop by to say, renewal. I also took a labor She is a weekend shop rep at ‘Good job!’” internship with them. I inter- Hudson News, which the Joint viewed workers who formed the Board organized a year ago. Bell-Masterson union in the 1970s and then She also attends Monroe Com- She recently graduated from made a documentary film for munity College. the . the Local.

“I like to help, that’s why I am out “I was very involved in social “So, I understand the import- here. I am also out here be- justice issues on campus. I got ance of the union, especially at cause the Joint Board helped us involved my freshman year a time like this when the hotel at Hudson News get a union, so I when the Service Employees workers have no representation know how important the union is International Union (SEIU) Local and no voice. “My experience here on the line has been a very positive one. While the reactions very — some people are upset and strongly disagree with what we’re doing — there are certainly many who understand what we’re doing. A lot of people have been very supportive.” 

Margaret Spallina, right, speaking to a hotel costumer with Molly Farrell and Ann Pitlyk, Margaret Spallina, Sandra Molinari and Molly Ferrell Sandra Molinari.

T H R E E the Culinary Workers Union Local Board endorses 226 in Nevada supporting their latest contract campaign. As Make sure you’re Obama, other President, he will fight for and sign into law the Employee Free registered to vote Choice Act, an increase in the candidates who minimum wage, and affordable health care for every American. If you aren’t registered to support workers, vote in the crucial November U.S. House of Representatives 4 general election, you still labor issues 21st District: (D) have time to register. (See story on left for the Joint 24th District: Mike Arcuri (D) Board’s endorsements.) The Joint Board is strongly endorsing Barack Obama for 25th District: (D) You have until Friday, Octo- President and other candidates ber 10 to register and you who will support workers, their 26th District: Jon Powers (D) can get forms at most state families and important labor agency offices (such as the issues, manager Gary Bona- 27th District: (D) Department of Motor Vehi- donna announced. cles), at U.S. post offices, or at 28th District: (D) any county board of elec- “No election since the 1930s,” tions. You must mail or deliver Bonadonna said, “is more crucial 29th District: (D) the registration form to to the poor, the middle class, your county board of elec- young people and senior citizens; State Senate tions so it is in their hands by to the American economy and 43rd District: Mike Russo (D) October 10. good jobs; and to once again becoming the beacon of hope 50th District: John DeFrancisco (R) Requirements for registering and freedom to the world.” include being a U.S. citizen 55th District: James Alesi (R) and being 18 years old by Bonadonna stressed that “no Election Day — November 4. President or Presidential candi- 56th District: Joe Robach (R) Your county board of elec- date since Franklin Roosevelt has tions will notify you in writing if so strongly supported the Ameri- 58th District: William Stachowski (D) you are eligible to vote and can worker and workers’ rights where to cast your ballot. to organize. There is no more 60th District: Antoine Thompson (D) important job at this juncture in Absentee voting history than electing Obama.” 61st District: Joe Mesi (D) If you want to vote absentee, (See letter on next page that you must request an absen- Obama wrote in support of New York State Assembly tee ballot from your board of workers at Propper International 120th District: Bill Magnarelli (D) elections by October 28 and seeking to organize.) its return must be postmarked 131st District: Susan John (D) by November 3. Bonadonna added that the Joint Board “has made a serious 132nd District: Joe Morelle (D) You may qualify to vote effort to examine the candi- absentee for several reasons, dates and their views on our 144th District: Sam Hoyt (D) including that you will be issues. Our recommendations unavoidably absent from are based on careful research 145th District: Mark Schroeder (D) your county on Election Day about who has, or will, support or will be unable to appear us — and you — on issues that 146th District: Jack Quinn (R) at the polls due to illness or affect all of us.” Here are the disability.  Board’s recommendations, Monroe County Court Judge based on that research*: Frank Geraci (D

President Monroe County Family Court Barack Obama * NOTE: These are endorsements (Democrat) Judge Senator Obama has been a as Reflections went press. The Gail Donofrio (R) champion of working Ameri- Board will continue to meet as cans. He marched with striking necessary with candidates well Joan Kohout (D) workers at Chicago’s Congress into the Fall before the election. You can find updates to the Plaza Hotel picket line as a state New York State Supreme Court senator and U.S. Senator. He endorsements at the Board’s Justice web site, www.uhrrjb.org. Then spoke at the founding conven- th 4 Judicial District: Stephen click on the link, Political Endorse- tion of UNITE HERE in 2004, and Ferradino (R) he has worked extensively with ments 2008. 

F O U R Hillman Health Center offers free flu shots

The Hillman Health Center will once again offer free flu shots this Fall, reports Lorraine Trippy, manager of the Center’s health services department.

Details about the flu shots will be mailed directly to eligible Hillman patrons when plans are finalized, the manager said. Trippy remind- ed retirees to bring all their health insurance cards with Senator Barack Obama them to get the shots and any time they come to the Health Obama letter shows strong Center for services. If you have questions, you can call the support for unions Health Center. For those in Rochester, the number is (585) 473-2000; those calling from Editor’s Note: Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama outside Rochester can use the toll- wrote the letter below to workers seeking a union at Propper free number, (800) 383-3797.  International, which makes military uniforms. It clearly shows Obama’s strong support for unions and union workers. It is the most ringing endorsement of the labor movement by any President or Pharmacy schedule Presidential candidate since Franklin Roosevelt said, “If I went to Normal pharmacy hours are 9 work in a factory, the first thing I would do would be to join a a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, Monday union.” through Friday, and Saturday 8 a.m. to noon, except for holiday *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** closings. To speed service, you Dear Propper International Workers: can phone prescription refills in 24 hours a day, seven days a week. I am writing to express my strong support for you and your co- That automated number is (585) workers rights’ to organize and join a union. The right to choose to 473-2555. Also, the pharmacy is organize and to collectively bargain is protected in the law and a extremely busy just before and just basic human right that I firmly believe in. after holidays. Because of that, the pharmacy urges you to avoid As employees of a federal contractor, you deserve a job that getting your prescriptions filled on provides you with the dignity and respect you are owed. You deserve a living wage, affordable health insurance coverage, a retirement those days. The pharmacy’s holiday closing schedule for the plan, and other benefits. By organizing a union and bargaining a remainder of this year is: contract with your employer, you will be able to negotiate for and achieve these goals. • Nov. 27, Thanksgiving

Your employer should not use heavy handed tactics to • Nov. 28, Thanksgiving Floating Holiday discourage workers from organizing. It is illegal for a company to violate those rights through such activities as surveillance, interroga- • Nov. 29, (Saturday) tion, or threatening to close a plant down. • Dec. 25, Christmas

I believe a union will play a positive role and add to the • Dec. 26, Christmas Floating Holiday success of Propper as the largest military uniform contractor for the federal government. I encourage you to continue to defend your • Dec. 27, (Saturday) right to organize and fight for better wages and working conditions. All other health care, union and insurance departments also CLOSED on ALL of these As a candidate for the President of the United States, I dates. Please note: prescriptions must will be watch-ing this situation closely and support you fully. include the person’s date of birth. For dependents’ prescriptions, the pharmacy needs the dependents’ dates of birth—and Sincerely, a current copy of students’ school identifi- cation cards IF they are attending a coll- ege or trade school. Please note: members should always bring their Blue Cross/Blue Senator Barack Obama Shield, Preferred Care or other health insurance cards with them. 

F I V E Photos by Chris Ferriter, Dana Keaton and Gary Bonadonna Jr. Joint Board members participate in Labor Day Scores of Joint Board members took part in recent Labor Day celebra- Tom Girot tions in Rochester. Here are photos of some of those members enjoying the festivities.  Local 4 member featured in Buffalo News Local 4 member Thomas “Conehead” Girot was already a local celebrity in Buffalo, but he recently got his “15 minutes of fame” when the Buffalo News did a profile of him. (See the Fall, 2006 issue of Reflections for a feature on Girot and other Local 4 members; you can find the issue in the Reflections’ archives at the union’s web site, www.uhrrjb.org.)

The “Conehead” name comes from the cone-shaped head gear he wears when vending beer at stadiums where the Buffalo Bills, Sabres, Bisons and Red Wings play. It gives Girot instant recognition in the stands when fans are looking to buy a beer. He’s been a vendor for 35 years at such venues as the Buffalo War Memorial, Memorial Auditorium and Dunn Tire Stadium.

Girot told the Buffalo News that the current beer of choice is Bud Lite. He also says that Buffalo fans drink far more than those from Rochester — by a ratio of about four to one. Even though Girot works almost every game, it’s not his full-time job, however. That is taking care of the 24 apartments he owns — which he describes as actually “more than a full-time job.” The Buffalo News story about Girot ran in the July 6 paper. 

S I X Local 471 members Plattsburgh at Bard College win workers year round medical Local 471 members working in overwhelmingly food service at Bard College near Poughkeepsie have ratified a new contract featuring not ok new only wage hikes, but year round medical coverage — free for an agreement individual policy. It’s the first time members have ever had year round coverage, George Kimball chief negotiator and business rep George Kimball stressed.

He hailed the new three-year Union members working in food contract highlights: pact as “a big victory for our service at SUNY Plattsburgh members. I’m very proud of the have overwhelmingly ratified a — An extra week has been integrity and guts of our Bard new two-year contract, business added on to vacation entitle- rep George Kimball announced. ment for all current employ- ees, and three new holidays Under the agreement, the have also been added. workers will get wage hikes in — Sick and personal time will be at 100%, compared to 60% members. It was a sight to see under the old pact. our negotiating committee in action. From today forward, the — Workers will get time and a general manager will forever half if they work during snow look at our members differently.” both years; an increase in emergencies; if they are company-paid pension contri- snowed in, hotel rooms will be The year round medical cover- butions; and a major improve- provided at no cost to the age mirrors a similar agreement ment in health care coverage, workers. Kimball and union negotiators Kimball emphasized. were able to hammer out for — Those who work out of their members working in food service The new pact will boost wages classification will receive 50¢ at SUNY Plattsburgh. 45¢ an hour this year and an hour more, or the higher another 50¢ an hour in the pay rate — which ever is The Local 471 members at Bard second year — and company- more. have also won 4% raises each paid contributions to the pen- year of the agreement. In sion fund will increase 20¢ an Those who served on the negoti- addition, they have won an hour over the contract term. ating committee with Kimball increase in the shoe allowance were Karen Gould, Sandy King, from $25 to $40 annually. But, Kimball said one of the most Fay Loope, Jackie Deslauries, important items is “the significant Pat Rondeau, Kathy Lambert, The Local 471 members work for improvement in health care Ron Duell, Melody Vasser, and Chartwell’s in a wide variety of coverage.” For the first time, the Jan Yakey. food service jobs at Bard. Chart- workers will have year-round well’s holds the food service medical coverage instead of The union members work for contract at the college.  coverage only for the 35 weeks Compass/Chartwells, which the university is open. provides food service to the university. The workers belong to REFLECTIONS Not only that, Kimball stressed, Service Workers United, which is Published by the Rochester but the new plan is much better an affiliate of UNITE HERE and than the old one — and be- Regional Joint Board, UNITE HERE the Service Employees Interna- for its affiliated membership. cause premiums are spread tional Union. They are counted Offices located at 750 East over 52 weeks rather than 35, as Joint Board members, which Avenue, Rochester, NY 14607. members will actually pay lower provides service to them.  weekly premiums. Here are other

S E V E N Joint Board members’ Saratoga Hilton workers ratify first contract Local 471 members working at children eligible for the Saratoga Hilton have ratified their first contract — a three- $20k Abe Chatman year pact that features annual raises and company-paid health scholarship care and pensions. The Joint Board organized the workers last year. Applications are now being taken for one of American This year some workers will get Labor’s biggest scholarships, 7% raises and most will get 5% Joint Board manager Gary hikes, followed by increases of Bonadonna Roberts Bonadonna announced. 3% for non-tipped employees in the second and third years of contributing 10¢ an hour to a He noted that the Joint Board’s the pact. Servers, bartenders pension fund this past August. Chatman Scholarship is worth and captains won an increase That will increase to 20¢ an hour of ½% of the service charge. In next August and to 30¢ an hour addition, concession wages will in August of the contract’s final increase from $8.50 per hour to $14.30.

The company will pay 75% of more than $20,000 for four years health care premiums starting of study at Cornell University. “That makes it,” he stressed, “one this month (September). That will increase to 80% next September of the largest and most presti- year. The plan includes 2 years of and to a full 100% in March, 2011. gious labor scholarships in the past credit for every 1 year of country.” The company also began future service; eligible employ- ees will be fully vested after 5 The scholar- years of service. ship is only Local 471 members open to Joint Board manager Gary members’ at Roosevelt Bath Bonadonna and Albany District children who director Mike Roberts negotiat- will graduate House ratify contract ed the agreement and an- from high nounced the contract highlights. school next Local 471 members who work at year. the Roosevelt Bath House in Bonadonna said, “I’m very Saratoga Springs have ratified a pleased for these new members The scholar- three-year contract, Albany that we succeeded in winning ship pays up District director Mike Roberts 100% employer-paid health care to one-half the announced. and pensions, as well as good Chatman tuition for four economic improvements. This full years of study at Cornell The contract essentially mirrors creates a strong base to build University’s School of Industrial one Roberts recently negotiated from in the future.” and Labor Relations, or an equivalent amount to any of the Roberts emphasized, “This first university’s other programs. agreement is important not only Cornell handles the screening because it brings significant and selection process. economic improvements that we can build on, but it also The scholarship honors Abraham at the Gideon Putnam Hotel. clearly establishes a number of “Abe” Chatman, who served as Both facilities are located in a important rights for our mem- Joint Board manager for 55 New York State Park and operat- bers. Those include grievance, years. Forms are available from ed under contract by Delaware arbitration and seniority rights.” shop reps and from the financial North. office in Rochester. Employees averaging 30 or As with the Gideon, members more hours a week will be They are also available online at working at the Roosevelt Bath classified as full time. Those www.uniterrjb.org. Applications House will continue to have a between 20 and 30 hours will be must be postmarked no later 100% employer-paid health care part time. New hires will also than January 2, 2009.  and pension program. In addition, work through the same steps the Bath House workers will get a outlined above.  401(k) plan for the first time. 

E I G H T Local 221 members Local 4 members ratify new contract ok airport contract with Stern & Stern Local 4 members working at the Buffalo international Airport have Local 221 members working at ratified a new three-year con- Stern & Stern in Hornell have tract, accord- ratified a new ing to business three-year rep Gary Horn. contract that They are Vicki Futter, left, Peter DeSabio and boosts wages employed by Yvonne Wolcott and increases Delaware pensions, North, which Buffalo District holds the food Local 168-39 members director David concession Carroll an- contract at ok new 3-year contract nounced. the airport. Local 168-39 members working He said wages The contract at Angelica Health Care Servic- will increase provides for es in Batavia have ratified a new $1.15 an hour David Carroll yearly wage three-year contract, business rep over the term. increases, pen- Horn Peter DeSabio reports. sion increases, and new options Other improvements include an in the health insurance cover- DeSabio said the laundry additional sick day, severance age. In addition, Horn said, the workers will get wage hikes pay, and a successor clause union was able to negotiate totaling $1 an hour over term should the company be sold. language that insures union and pension increases totaling positions will be $2 an hour over the same included in any future expansion period. of the food and beverage operation at the airport. Horn The business rep said union said the airport plans to add negotiators also succeeded in new concession sites later this getting: If the state or federal govern- year. ment implements a health care • $6 per week for perfect plan that would cover the work- The negotiation committee, in attendance. ers, the contract stipulates that addition to Horn, included Penny Stern will negotiate with the Stevens, Ray Zimpher, and union regarding the distribution James Adams. The Local 4 of money the company current- members work as cooks, food ly pays for health insurance. preparers, cashiers, bartenders, servers and in utility positions.  Members of the negotiating • New hires will move to wage team besides Carroll were chief scale in 6 months; it had been shop rep Francis Pollizi, pres- 2 years under the old con- ident Barry Snyder, and ser- tract. geant-at-arms Mark Ahrens.  • 3 personal time off (PTO) days members can use anytime during a year; employees with more than 25 years of service Francis will get an additional PTO day. Pollizi, left, Mark Ahrens and Barry “I am very pleased with the Snyder important contract improve- ments we succeeded in getting for out members,” DeSabio emphasized. He also thanked negotiating team members Vicki Futter and Yvonne Wolcott “for their ideas and their tenacity throughout the contract talks.” 

N I N E Local 14-A members Activist members praise take part in fork Bonadonna Jr. for work truck competition Editor’s Note: The following letter cites the work and efforts of Joint Board political director Gary Bonadonna Jr. It was written by Forty Local 14-A members took members of the Board’s Political Action Committee — six of whom part in the fourth annual fork truck are members of the Board’s Hall of Fame. competition held recently at ’ Webster complex, accord- *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ing to organizational effectiveness To: Gary J. Bonadonna; Manager specialist (OES) Ed DiPonzio. He noted that participation was Re: Rochester Regional Joint Board open to any Local 14-A member with a fork truck license. Here are At the conclusion of our recent trip to Albany, we, as this year’s winners: members, found ourselves in a discussion on what a valuable asset Gary Bonadonna Jr. is to the Rochester Regional Novice Division (for participants with less Joint Board. Time and time again we watch him than 3 years driving experience) Counterbalance — Ed Rosenbauer as he tirelessly organizes and leads our union Narrow Aisle — Steve Hyde into the new and exciting ventures. Bonadonna Jr., has demonstrated leadership skills by Open Division (for participants with 3 or opening new doors for labor, he shows by more years of driving experience) example, he allows everyone to be involved in Counterbalance — Ed Shortino, first; Al Johnson, second; Travis Echevarria, third the process. Working with Bonadonna Jr., we feel a sense of ownership in everything we do. Narrow Aisle — Gary Ranieri, first; Joe West, second; Ed Shortino, third Bonadonna’s Jr. work ethic is admirable; Bonadonna Jr. 100% Safety Test Score a person who delegates and is involved in the John Gisel, Greg Ranieri and William entire process of Unite Here. For example, Bonadonna Jr. is in the Warner “trenches,” side by side with us at every event he coordinates, such as: lobby days, literature drops, phone banking, rallies, etc. We are The company held a luncheon for honored and proud to serve with him. In conclusion, it is our participants and gave them Wegman’s gift cards. In addition, the company gave contention that Bonadonna Jr. possesses all of the qualities for a jackets to 14-A Safety and Power Equip- Rochester Regional Joint Board Hall of Fame member. Please ment Trainers.  consider this letter as our official nomination for his future election into this elite group of individuals.

In Solidarity,

Mark Romano Ed Laughlin Stan Dolecki Mike Ruggieri Ray Correll Pranay Shah Shirley Sobzak

Ed Shortino, first Greg Raneiri, place finisher in first place Counter Balance finisher in Division Narrow Aisle Division

Photo by Photo by Michael Rich Barbu Ewing

T E N $20 million Holiday Local 201 members Inn project will mean set new record more Local 150 jobs Local 201 members put forth a major team effort to set a new $20 million expansion and A Local 471 member Sonja Downing, center, record for the number of gar- renovation project at the Holi- with Steve Witiaz, the Radisson Rooms ments moved through HMX’ day Inn in Liverpool will mean Division Manager, and Donna Blair, the Buffalo distribution center, more jobs for Local 150 mem- Housekeeping Manager. business rep Greg Laskowski bers, business rep Ann Marie announced. Taliercio announced. Sonja Downing “I am extremely proud of our She said the project, scheduled honored as members’ outstanding efforts. for completion next year, will They all de- create more ‘Employee of Year’ serve ‘Gold housekeeping, Stars’ for what food service Local 471 member Sonja Down- they accom- and banquet ing has been honored as “Em- plished,” he server jobs. ployee of the Year” at the Corn- emphasized. Local 150 ing Radisson Hotel. Downing, “Our members already who has worked at the hotel 17 are well known represents years, was voted the honor by in Hart Marx members more than 100 of her co-workers, (which owns Laskowski working in according to business rep Marie HMX) because Taliercio those capaci- Rodgers. the company knows it can ties at the count on them to get the big, facility. The project includes two “It made me feel very good that tough jobs done,” Laskowski phases, she said. In the first, a my co-workers selected me for added. Local 201 president major expansion will create a this honor,” Downing said. She Mark Hilbrecht agreed, noting, 123-room Staybridge Hotel that says she tries to always have a “The members really busted their will adjoin the existing Holiday good attitude about her job. “I tails to get this job done. It was like what I do, and I find it quite very impressive.” The members interesting. I get an opportunity received and moved some to meet people from all over the 60,000 garments through the world, and even if we don’t distribution center in May. The speak the same language, we garments came in from around can usually communicate the globe and were sent to new Inn. The Staybridge will be through sign language and a lot destinations around the world. operated separately as an of pointing.” extended stay hotel. In the Laskowski said the company second phase, Taliercio said, the Downing works some day and also deserves kudos. “HMX current Holiday Inn will be evening shifts doing a variety of management, including a vice extensively refurbished and jobs. Those include cleaning president, worked directly with renovated, and some 10,000 guest rooms, the lobby and our members in the center. This is square feet of new meeting other public areas, and helping a clear example of what can be space will be added. in the laundry. Downing is a achieved when management strong union supporter. She cooperates with employees — “Because of the relationship we attends all of Local 471’s meet- more work gets done and a lot have been able to establish with ings and makes it a point to more smoothly.”  management, the new employ- “speak out for my coworkers.”  ees will be hired under the existing contract, maintaining one seniority list per classifica- Staybridge will have apartments, meeting rooms with a total of tion,” Taliercio noted. The only the question to decide fairly is 31,000 square feet. “That,” negotiating that will have to how many apartments equals Taliercio stressed, “will give the occur will be to define 15 rooms.” As with current em- complex more meeting space the workday for room atten- ployees, new full-time workers will than any other hotel in the dants who will be assigned to be eligible for free, single medical Syracuse area — and will position work in the Staybridge Hotel. coverage, as well as pension it to compete for large conven- “For example,” Taliercio said, “at and other normal benefits, the tions and meetings that might go present the housekeepers are business rep stressed. The joint to other metropolitan areas in the responsible to clean a minimum Holiday Inn-Staybridge complex state.” The project is being totally of 15 rooms daily. Since the new will have 323 hotel rooms and 19 funded by private funds. 

E L E V E N Local 150 members provide food services at Van Duyn Home

Our Local 150 members work for AdvancedMeal to provide food services for the patients and staff at the Van Duyn Home and Hospital in Syracuse. Advanced Meal holds the food service contract with Van Duyn.

Preparing and serving the food — much of it involving special dietary considerations — is a big task, notes business rep Ann Marie Taliercio.

“Our members prepare and serve three meals a day, seven days a week for patients at the 526-bed facility, as well as for scores of employ- ees who work there,” she says. Most of the meals go directly to patients in their rooms, but Local 150 members also prepare and serve food in Van Duyn’s cafeteria.

Taliercio is proud to say that she organized the workers there “from the bottom up” in 2000. Here is a look at some of the members at work there.  Camie Parks

Dejaune McCorkle, left, and chief steward Jeannine Dix

Kimyana Harrison, left, and Dwayne Orr

Jimmy Stenson

T W E L V E Marg Mallwitz Strong union advocate Marg Mallwitz dies

Marg Mallwitz, one of the Joint Debbie Wheeler, left, and business Board’s strongest and most rep Ann Marie Taliercio vocal union advocates, died recently. She had retired in 2001 after 27 years of service at HMX in Buffalo. Mallwitz spent her entire career there as a final examiner.

Joe Seawright She credited her husband’s family with shaping her strong union views.

“My father-in-law, Arthur Mallwitz, started the bakery union in Buffalo, and my husband’s uncle, Carl Miller, was a business agent for the union. They were always talking about the union and telling me how important a union is,” she noted in a 2001 interview.

During her career, Mallwitz served the Joint Board and Local 207 in many capacities. She served about a decade as a delegate to the former West- ern New York Joint Board, and about the same length of time as vice president of Local 207. Angela Hartkopf In addition, Mallwitz took part in three national conventions and five Joint Board Leadership Conferences.

She leaves a son, Marc, and a grandson, Ronnie.  Nick Bundrage

T H I R T E E N Every day is

Owal Deing, laundry day for left, Carol Cook, Vicente Ramos and Derk Aid to Hospital Wierda workers

For our Local 2541 members who work at Aid to Hospitals in Roches- ter, every day is laundry day — a BIG laundry day.

Members wash, dry, fold and package tons of laundry for area hospitals, including bedding, towels, wash cloths and garments, notes business rep Greg Laskowski.

“Our members there are pretty Brenda Bullard amazing,” he says. “Because of the nature of the work, it’s always warm, humid and fast-paced, but almost all the members have smiles on their faces and get along really well. There is a real family atmo- sphere here.”

Laskowski also stresses that the company recently made a serious commitment to its business by installing new, multimillion dollar washing machines and dryers the size of railroad box cars.

“That kind of investment is important to help keep the company competi- tive, and the new machines are not Kim Nguyen only more efficient than the old ones, but are safer for our members to use,” Laskowski added. Here are some of those members at work, and we’ll bring more of them to you in the next issue.” 

Evelyn Morales Business rep Greg Laskowski, left, Sonia Ruiz, David Barnes and Neysa Vasquez

F O U R T E E N Lien Ong

Jeimie Lebron

Sharon Kelly

Jason Sanders

Sintreata Griffin

Dawn Smith

David Paine

F I F T E E N Nadia Javed Kristen Vogt

Richard Bensinger John Mrowka Joint Board marks 25th Leadership Conference This year’s Leadership Conference — the 25th since its inception — was hailed by many veteran participants as one of the best. There were many reasons why:

• Richard Bensinger, a founder of the AFL-CIO’s Organizing Institute and widely regarded as the country’s leading organizing expert, spelled out why he has chosen to work with the Joint Board.

• Ken Armes, Mary Ann Kluczyski and Ed Garrow — all members of the Federal Mediation & Conciliation Ser- vice (FMCS) — led highly interactive training to demonstrate practical problem-solving tools.

• Perhaps the most diverse group of members to ever attend Leadership, including those working in factories, laundries, clothing, hotels, gaming, food service, news stands and a telephone company.

Bensinger’s success and reputation allow him to decide who he works with. He has chosen to consult with the Joint Board and help guide the Board’s organizing department. He gave insights into why he made that deci- sion when he spoke at Leadership. He noted that there are some 7,000 non-union hotels and motels in the country, including 200 in the greater Rochester area. “Most unions have walked away from that fight, but not this union,” he said.

“It takes guts to do what Gary (Bonadonna, the Board’s manager) has done with the Rochester Plaza Hotel. This is an outside the box experiment, an incredible experiment based on an incredible notion that the clergy and the Rochester mayor are not going to tolerate union-busting tactics and that workers have the right to a fair and free process to decide if they want a union,” Bensinger said. In a recent meeting with the hotel’s owner, the consultant said Bonadonna “showed real statesmanship and a most reasonable offer” that the owner totally rejected. He characterized the hotel’s management as “evil people.” “Now,” he noted, “the hotel has to contend with the clergy and daily picketing.” (For a story about some of the picketers, see Page 2.)

Bonadonna said the owner has remained adamant and hostile. “If he doesn’t agree to the community orga- nizing principles we long ago subscribed to, then there are only two possible outcomes. “Either he’s going to get out of the hotel entirely so we can deal with a new owner who is almost certain to be more receptive to a union, or we’re going to break him financially. The ball is really in his court.” Bensinger also was lavish in his praise of the efforts of several Joint Board staff members, including political director Gary Bonadonna Jr.; organizer Jesse Lenney; Albany District director Mike Roberts; business rep Jason Crane; and Luis Torres, who works for both the Board and the Rochester clergy on the hotel boycott.

During the same evening segment, Local 471 member Josephine Franco praised Crane and Roberts for their leadership in the Albany area. Franco especially thanked Crane for his help with discriminatory problems with Sodexo at the Empire State Plaza where she works. During the training portion of the program, the FMCS team taught participants “interest-based problem solving (IBPS)” techniques using a series of exercises. Unlike tradition- al problem-solving, IBPS considers the parties’ interests; has them jointly develop options; and make decisions by consensus. The approach also emphasizes attacking problems, not people; exploring all options; and evaluat- ing potential solutions against specific standards.

As part of the program, participants did an exercise which clearly showed groups brainstorming with the IBPS approach virtually always produce more and better ideas than any single member of a team. The Conference was held at the Radisson Hotel in Corning, where the Joint Board represents all the workers “wall to wall“ — from the front desk to housekeeping. 

S I X T E E N Mike Pascucci George Kimball

Pete Storath More photos on Bonny Hutchinson next 2 pages

Emily Vick

Peter DeSabio Yvonne Wolcott Mark Hilbrecht

All photos on these pages and the next two are of first-time Leadership Conference participants

Josephine Franco Mike Teaven

Eugene Ragland

S E V E N T E E N Irene Szymanski Bob Gagliardi

Ira Reynolds Leadership

John Koziarz

Charles Green Story, more photos on pages 16-17

April Smith

Luis Torres Brian Lukins Phil Woods

E I G H T E E N Local 14-A retiree Frank Dellefave dies

Well-known Local 14-A retiree Frank Dellefave, 75, died recently. When he was working at Xerox, he was one of Local 14-A’s most active members.

In 1980, he was elected to the executive board of the Local, as well as a Joint Board delegate Gerald Bonafede, left, and Buffalo District Robert Kitchen and served in both capacities director David Carroll until 1995. He also was financial secretary of the Local for 12 years, served on five negotiation Gerald Bonafede teams, attended five national Leadership conventions, and was a mem- retires after 43 ber of the Rochester Area Labor Council for nine years. years at Habasit Dellefave was also a member of the first self-directed union work Gerald Bonafede has retired group at Xerox. In addition, he from Habasit Belting in Buffalo had 15 after a career spanning nearly years of 44 years. perfect atten- The Local 1067-T member dance started as a belt slipper, but after at work. a short time Bonafede moved In a into weaving, where he stayed 1996 15 years. Then, for a year, he retire- worked as a loom fixer. After ment that, he spent the rest of his inter- career in the machine shop — a view job he thoroughly enjoyed. with Reflec- “I pretty much liked most of my tions, he Dellefave jobs, but I especially liked the said, “I machine shop because there Byron Barrett always believed strongly in the was something different every union because it meant we had day,” Bonafede said. rights and that we had a con- tract that could be legally He has no special plans yet for enforced. The union also elimi- retirement other than “taking it nated management from easy for a while.” Bonafede and playing favorites in job selection his wife, Sue, have two adult and job promotion. daughters and two grand- daughters.  “This is a fair union and definitely a workers’ union. The members are fortunate to have a leader Korean War vet spent the last 15 like Gary Bonadonna. He’s years at Mustard Street. trustworthy and a man of his word. He’s been a great leader He is survived by his wife, for this union,” Dellefave added. Jeanette; his children, Lisa Dellefave (Vincent Barone), He began work at Xerox in Linda (Ronald) Talarico, and Leo 1969 as a material handler and Dellefave (Marisa Noto); four worked in that job for five years. grandchildren; one great- Then, in 1974, Dellefave became grandson; two brothers; and two a fork truck driver, working in that sisters. He was predeceased by a son, Peter.  Tim Ahrend job all the rest of his career. The

N I N E T E E N Local 2714 members work at Frontier In the last issue of Reflections, we pictured Local 2714 members who work at Frontier’s operations in Rochester as clerks and in the business accounts office (BAO) in various jobs. Here are more members who work in those same jobs.  Clerk Celinda Holmes

BAO represen- tatives Edi Harmon, left, and Shaun Curry

Ursula Ingoglia

BAO rep Ruth Toffany Clerk Wendy Eliott

Clerk Michael Jackson

Clerk Jim Allison Virginia Laemlein, left, and Wendy Sill are clerks. Larounda Gamble is a clerk.

T W E N T Y Lisette Montaloo-Jones is a clerk.

Mark Linzy is a clerk.

Sara Barrows is a clerk.

BAO representative Matt Saroka

Debbie Bray is a BAO clerical specialist.

Clerk Cynthia Rodgers

T W E N T Y - O N E Alleson’s adds new work, hires more union employees

Alleson Athletic Wear is bring- ing more work into its Geneva plant and hiring additional Local 388-G members to help handle Janet Daly* Mike Bruno the increased production, business rep Greg Laskowski reported.

“The company is adding a new line of customized accessories for athletic shorts and shirts,” the business rep said. “This is great news for two big reasons. First, it will mean the addition of new Local 388-G members. Secondly, it represents an important commitment by the company to Geneva.”

The company is adding new, computer-aided embroidery equipment that will be used to put the decorative accessories on the shorts and shirts.

Suwen “Sue” Zhang “Our Geneva members really earned having this new equip- Raquel Rodriques-Meyers ment and work brought into the plant,” Laskowski stressed, “be- cause they consistently have very fast turnaround on work — with very high quality.

“It’s also fitting this new work is coming in because this marks the company’s 75th anniversary — very few companies in the clothing field have been around that long,” Laskowski noted. The Joint Board has represented Alleson workers since 1942.

Here is a photographic look at some of our members who are making this plant successful; we’ll show you more of them in the next issue.  * New employees Mary Dutcher, left, and Bev Fryer Anne Millis

T W E N T Y - T W O Business rep Greg Laskowski, left, Yi Wang and Michelle Quick

Mabel Rodriguez

Lorraine Veeder, left, Donna Chung and Janice Christensen Mary Thomas Pam Shumway

Sheila Loucks

Nancy Johnson

T W E N T Y - T H R E E Local 231 members work at Hudson News

Some of the Joint Board’s newest members work at Hudson News at the Rochester airport, where they sell books, magazines, candy and other items to travelers and airport workers, notes business rep Greg Laskowski.

They are members of Local 231 and recently ratified their first Halla Adalla contract and elected their first shop reps. Here are photos of Zafar Kamal some of these new members. 

Kindalem Gurmu Workaferahu “Worke” Mekonnen Eman Abdelhafiz

Hewan Bekele, left, and Silas Alemu Javaid Akram Abderrahmane Taouzinet

T W E N T Y - F O U R Javed, Gebreyes Antonio Rotoli retires serve as shop reps after 39 years at H-F at Hudson News Antonio Rotoli has retired after a 39-year career at Hickey-Free- Local 231 members who work man Clothing in Rochester. at Hudson News at the Roches- ter airport recently elected their Rotoli spent the first 31 years as a first shop reps. They are Nadia sleeve sewer in the coat depart- Javed, first shift, and Meskerem ment, 8 years in the busheling Gebreyes, weekends. Here is a department, brief profile of the two: and when ever needed, Javed he also served She says she agreed to take the as a utility shop rep job because members worker. were already relying on her to talk with management because He had she has good language skills. worked for a number of Nadia Javed “I can talk with our members, years as a most of whom are from the Mid- tailor in Italy East, and also speak pretty fluent when Hickey- Rotoli English — so, in some ways, I was Freeman already acting informally as recruited him to come to the U.S. shop rep,” Javed said. to work for them. Rotoli says that he liked working for the compa- The new shop rep is lavish in her ny but not management, and praise of Local 231 business rep also notes that the union “was Greg Laskowski. “Greg is not only good to me and helped me.” very nice, but he is very patient. He listens very well, and he gives Now that he is retired, Rotoli you good solutions to problems,” goes to a mall almost every day she emphasized. to walk and to meet friends. He also does some tailoring and After 14 years of waiting, Javed alteration work for himself and and her family had given up on friends, and takes care of his coming to the United States yard. In addition, Rotoli usually from their home in Pakistan, but returns to Italy each year to visit a little over a year ago, they won the area he grew up in and his  immigration status. One of the son, Francesco Pio. things she most treasures in Rochester are the “many fine colleges.” Elizabeth Corning dies Meskerem Gebreyes Elizabeth Corning — the Javed has little spare time 103-year-old featured in the between work and attending She has also found another way last issue of Reflections, died . to help — she walks the picket recently. She was still living But, when she does have some line to support the workers at the independently at the time time, she enjoys spending it with Rochester Plaza who are seek- of her death. her family and shopping with her ing a union. “I know first hand mother. how important it is to have a Corning had worked as a union and how it will improve sewer at Fashion Park, Gebreyes their lives,” Meskerem stresses. Michael Stern, and Bond Gebreyes has served as the (See Page 2 for a story about clothing companies, retiring weekend shop rep at Hudson the picketers.) in 1970 at age 65. Her News for about a year. brother, Bernie Siegler, and In addition to serving as shop several nieces and nephews “I was pleased that the mem- rep and walking the picket line, survive her. Contributions bers elected me to this job, Meskerem is also a student at can be made to the Sacred because I like to help people,” Monroe Community College. Heart Cathedral Memorial she notes. “This gives me an She came here from Ethiopia Fund.  opportunity to do that.” five years ago. 

T W E N T Y - F I V E Retirees organization celebrates 25th anniversary, honors Les Calder The Amalgamated Retirees use, and what you want to do Organization recently marked its as a club to come from you. We 25th anniversary with a celebra- want all of you to continue to tion at the Green Lantern be a part of us.” restaurant in Fairport — and honored Leslie Calder for creat- Quattrocchi added, “Les, you ing the organization. Calder is a have made it possible for retirees retired Joint Board manager. throughout the last 25 years to be and feel a part of this won- ARO president Tina Quattrocchi derful union. We are indebted to — one of the club’s founding you — and grateful to you — for members — told the gathering, all that you have done for us.” “Les not only had the idea of a On behalf of the club, she retirees club, he saw to it that presented Calder with a framed the club became a reality by Les Calder and his wife, Geri photo of the current executive carefully nurturing it in its early board. days. But, true to his nature, Les headquarters dedicated specifi- never dictated what the club cally to retirees. Quattrocchi also announced would be like, nor how it would that the club has several events operate. That task he entrusted Quattrocchi noted, “As he had planned for the rest of the year, to the retirees themselves.” done with the formation of the including: ARO club itself, he also entrusted Calder created a special task the retirees to pick the furnish- • Oct. 8, regular meeting force of 20 retirees to make ings for the lounge. When the those decisions. He also an- room opened in the fall of 1983, • Nov. 11, regular meeting nounced in the summer of 1983 Les told the retirees gathered that the union was going to there, ‘We want this to be your • Dec. 8, regular meeting.  create a special room at the room. We want the ideas for its All ARO photos by Dana Keaton

T W E N T Y - S I X Marion Walker Marion Walker serves on ARO executive board

Marion Walker is one of the Amalgamated Retiree Organiza- tion’s (ARO) biggest fans. “I like the people who are there, and it gives me a chance to see many of those I used to work with at Xerox. I find the programs very interesting, and, I take almost all the trips and go to almost all the special events.”

Walker has been an ARO member for the last six years and currently serves on the club’s executive board. She also helps with the raffle tickets and drawings.

Walker worked at Xerox for 35 years and spent her time there in several areas, including toner, manufacturing, shipping and receiving, and wire harness. She retired in 2004 and then worked for the Rochester City School District as a sentry and for the Rochester Recreation Depart- ment as a security person and pool attendant.

Her interests beyond her church and family are ARO, travel, cooking and bingo. She enjoys helping children meet their goals, “and most of all, I like spend- ing time with older adults.” 

Photo by Dana Keaton

T W E N T Y - S E V E N Meeting dates Local 231, ARAMARK Laundry and ARAMARK Cafeterias—Meeting schedule Meeting dates for Locals are: will be posted in the laundry’s break room and in the plant; and in the Local 3-T, Schlegel’s—Dates will be kitchens of the cafeterias. posted in the plant. Local 231, JMc Promotions—Meetings to Members recognized for long Local 4 (Hotel & Restaurant employees) be announced service are those with 20, 25, 30, — Please note that meeting times and and 35-year anniversaries, as well locations vary to help accommodate Local 231, Town of Parma Highway members. Dept.—Meeting schedule will be posted as those with 36 or more years of in the highway department break room. service. Members recognized in —Nov. 3, 7 p.m., Buffalo union office, 3871 this issue have anniversary dates Harlem Road. Local 388-G, Alleson Athletic Wear occurring during the third quarter —Nov. 4, 3 p.m., Holiday Inn Select, 150 (Geneva)—All meetings begin at 3:45 West 4th Street, Jamestown p.m. in the plant cafeteria. of this year. —Nov. 5, 5 p.m., Holiday Inn Select, 300 3rd Street, Niagara Falls —Nov.11 Local 3-T 45 Locals 14, 204, 205, 227, and 230, Hickey- Local 388-R, Alleson Athletic Wear Duane Keukelaar Freeman—All meetings begin at 4:15 p.m. (Rochester)—All meetings will be held at11 a.m. in the plant. 40 at the Union headquarters, 750 East Jerline Barnes Avenue, Rochester. —Nov. 11 35 —Nov. 13 Local 482, D & F Pallet—All meetings at Paul Hamilton, Diane Chase, Martin Cocca and Elijah Cunningham Local 14-A, Xerox—The executive board 4:15 p.m. at the at Liberty Café, 21 will meet at 6 p.m. at the Union head- Prospect, Fredonia* Local 4 quarters, 750 East Avenue, Rochester, on 42 Oct. 7, Nov. 11 and Dec. 9. All regular —Oct. 10 Leo Ignatowski membership meetings begin at 7 p.m. at —Dec. 12 the Union headquarters on these dates: 36 Local 701-T, Interface Solutions—All Helen Kuta —Oct. 14 Special nominations for meetings will be held at 3 p.m. on the recording secretary and for X Seniority second Wednesdays of each month at 30 Unit shop chairman are planned for 7 the Moose Lodge in Fulton. Cory Dussault, Irene Szymanski, Linda Reiner p.m. at the Union Hall. Elections would and Howard Heist follow, if necessary. Local 1067-T, Habasit Belting—All meetings held at 12:30 p.m. at Nicky’s-G, Hickey-Freeman Locals 2141 Clinton Street, Buffalo.* 49 —Nov. 11 (Thanksgiving raffle) Manfredo Cotraccia —Nov. 8 Local 14-B, Weyerhaeuser Paper Co.— 46 Please note that meeting times vary to John Glavich accommodate shifts. Please check union Local 1095-T, Buffalo Batt & Felt —All meet- bulletin boards for any changes from the ings held at noon at the new Buffalo union 40 schedule below. All meetings will be in office, 3370 Broadway, Cheektowaga. * Rosa Bosca the LTC Room at the Boxart Street plant. —Oct. 4 30 —Nov. 18, 3 p.m. —Dec. 6 Theresa Fernandes

Local 49, Flexo Transparent—All meetings Local 1126-T, Sellmore Industries—All 25 held at 3:45 p.m. at the new Buffalo union meetings held at 4:30 p.m. at Lunch Mukatter Akcak office, 3370 Broadway, Cheektowaga. * Room at Sellmore. * Local 14-A —Oct. 14 44 Douglas Bissell, Thomas Bieber —Nov. 3 —Dec. 9 43 Local 168-39, Coyne Textiles, Buffalo; and Local 1802, BernzOmatic—All meetings held at 3:45 p.m. Check the bulletin Robert Piersielak, Harry Mogray, Dale Angelica Health Care Services, Batavia— Haubert Meeting schedule will be posted in board for location.* plants. 42 —Oct. 21 Joseph Callari, Terrance Dunning —Dec. 16 Local 150, Hotel & Restaurant employ- (Continued on next page) ees—The executive board meets at the union office, 615 W. Genesee Street, Syra- Local 1822, Birds Eye Foods—All meetings cuse, at 2:45 p.m. the 4th Monday of will be held in January, March, May and schedule will be posted in the laundry’s each month, except for Dec. 8, when it’s November at the Fulton VFW. Specific break room and in the plant. held before the general membership time and dates will be announced. Local 2541, Associated Textiles—Meeting meeting. All general membership meetings begin at 3 p.m. at the union office. Local 1827, Redmond Plastics—All schedule will be posted in the laundry’s meetings will be held as needed at Finn’s break room and in the plant. —Dec. 8 Restaurant in Marion. Times and dates will be announced. Local 2607, Coyne Textiles, AmeriPride Linen & Textile, and Atlas Health Care Locals 201 HMX Tailored—All meetings Services, Syracuse—Meeting schedule begin at 3:45 p.m. at the plant cafeteria. Local 1947, Babbitt Bearings—All * meetings held at the General Pulaski will be posted in plants. —Nov. 17 American Legion Post on Burnet Street in Syracuse. Meetings will be held on the Local 2714, Citizens—All meetings held at Local 221, Stern & Stern Industries—All third Wednesdays of every month at 2 5 p.m. at the union headquarters, 750 East Avenue, Rochester meetings held at 12:30 p.m. at the p.m. and 3 p.m. (to accommodate first Association, 66 Broadway, Hornell * and second shifts). —Dec. 18  —Nov. 2 Local 2541, Aid To Hospitals—Meeting *Check postings in plant/building since meeting dates and locations must sometimes be changed.

T W E N T Y - E I G H T Richard Kuczkowski, Thomas Strickland, 36 Long service Donald Grace, Joe West, Ron Russell, Ramon Vega Richard Forkel, Paul DiMarco (Continued from preceeding page) 20 Local 14-B Maria Reyes 41 41 Fernando Pringle, James Harney, Dean James Simmons Durell, Richard Leistman, Lawrence Hicks, Local 2714 Gary Cooper, Jesus Padilla 40 45 Vie Robinson John Schaefer 40 Gerald Millard, Jay Moorman, Paul 20 35 Thompson, Paul White, David Pederson, Tricia Grieb and James Lemke Theresa Brown Charles Domm, David Paxson, Douglar Garno, Michael Yantch, Dwaine Denosky, Local 49 30 Michael Belluccio, Robert Roarke, Martin 30 Richard Bochynski Whitbeck Timothy Kessel, Daniel Weaver 20 39 Local 150 Cynthia Simmons, Sean Fahy, Kristine Bragg, James Ruliffson, Edward Marsteiner, Liubomir 30 Linda Dufoe, Annjanet Williams Cickovski, Lorenza Stallworth, Garry Ekkebus, Kim Haynam Richard Steves, Sam Profetta, Raymond Straight, Richard Wager, Donald Preston, 20 Verdell Lane Mary Soucia

38 Local 168-39 Brian Chapman, Jeffrey Lauster, Patrick 30 Gallo, Francis Marks, Larry Walters, John Robert Ramen Sanders, Milton Tymes, Darryl Warren, Nelson Candelario, Vincent Pizzo, Darnell Capers, Local 388 Otis Robinson, Calvin Bowser, Robert Herney, 30 Richard Pratt, Gerald Farwell Marylou Hainsworth and Jean Gibbs

37 Local 471 Allan Johnson, Frank Fava, Luigi Barbera, 20 John VonBergen, Richard Schichler, Eric Karg Heriberto Quinones, Sharon Swan, Larry Ross, Charles Klein, Richard Hilfiger, Carl King Local 701-T 37 35 James Phillips, William Avery Kerry Ryan, Karen Cerny-Depotter, Gary Timmerman, Mar Hightower-Palmer, Ronald 36 Williamson, Eugene Fuller, Walter Miller, Gary Clark Charles Lehman, left, and Buffalo District James Allen, William Nonkes, Thomas director David Carroll Belknap, Stephen Chmil, Robert Gravino, Local 1067-T Lucille Camp, Edward Gardner 40 Paul Errington 30 Charles Lehman Edward Badura, Daniel Bezwerchyj, Kay 30 Mayo, Betty Schreiber, Joseph Luciano, Richard Bochynski Thomas Morsch, Cora Webb, Craig retires after 41 Hofmann, Lee Ferrara 25 James Gustas 20 years at Stern’s Gloria Babin, Durwin Butcvher, Brian Local 1095-T Adriaansen, Kenneth Sippel, Deborah Spittal, 30 Ellen Persutte, Glenn Dominiak, Cassandra Judith Leuer Dinkins, Frank Edwards, Antoinette Downing, Local 221 member Charles Douglas Haskins, Valerie Bruce, Sherry Goff, Local 1126-T Lehman has retired after 41½ Debra Bombard, Thomas Bostian, Thomas 35 years of service at Stern & Stern Burch, Larry Bullock, Bruce Chapman, Bruce Gloria Kasprzak and Robert Scott Christman, Noreen Alicea, Jose Cruz, David in Hornell. The company produc- Contreras, Robert Cook, Harold Coleman, Local 1802 es specialty fabrics used in a William Coleman, Thomas 36 Meyers, Stephen Hyde, Charlene Holland, Glenn Seaton variety of retail and industrial Michael Heller, Sharon Tazel, William Allen, products. James Schniepp, Dawne Swick, Frederick 35 Shaughnessy, Donal Sims, Rick Snyder, Jonce John Villeneuve Stankovski, Daniel Ghysel, James Gagnon, Lehman started there in January, Eugenia Marando, David Greene, Tyrone 25 1967, and worked the first eight Gilliard, Antonio Gonzales, Victor Guerra, Barbara Hinkley, Janet Gouger, Jeannie years as a heat set operator. He Shirley Wilson, Todd Persutte, Judith Jobson, Scroger, C. Dianne Bane Thomas Daszkiewicz, Michael Dovidio, then moved to the endless tenor Dennis Dutton, Ronald Jackson, Gloria Local 1822 frame, where he worked virtually Johnson, Mark Lapiana, Sarah Lee, Robert 35 W. Thaine, Sr., Phyllis Thompson, Michael William Hartnett all the rest of his career. “I was Fischer, Timothy Fitzpatrick, Wendell Felder, good at that job,” he notes with William Viviani, Steven Barnard, Angela 20 pride. Bruce, Billy Bouiye, Rosanne Jacobs, Lisa Bombard, Thomas Clowes, James Vencetta Crawford, Colleen Bully, Diane Ducker, Diane Losert, Charles Murphy Currier, Shirley Jones, Marvin McKelvey, Lehman intends to spend some Carolyn Wahl, Michael Moffitt, Sanford Local 1947 of his retirement time doing Heath, Cynthia Austin, Elizabeth Allen, Todd 20 Sackett, Brian Simpson, Joseph Sliwoski, Edward K. Martin things he likes — hunting, fishing, Alberta McCullough, Stanley Garczynski, raising vegetables and flower Sylvester Gordon, George White, Penny Local 2607 Barnes, Kathy Robak, Dennis Roberts, Alex 20 gardening. He and his wife, Pravato, Daniel Neary, Joseph D’Amico, Edward Barnum, Jr. Dorothea, have a daughter, four Anthony Davvis, Emmett Davis, Joyce grandchildren and six step- O’Leary, Dawn Vanderwerken, Kil Kim Chae, Local 2541 grandchildren. 

T W E N T Y - N I N E ‘Reflections’ ofrece un sumario de las noticias en Español Reflections ofrece una sinopsis La página 5 — la farmacia de Región de Rochester organizo de las historias principales que Hillman en Rochester está los trabajadores el año pasado. aparecen en esta edición de la abierta a las 9h00 hasta las revista para los muchos miembros 17h00 diariamente, de lunes a La página 8 — las Aplicaciones de la unión que hablan español. viernes, y el sábado a las 8h00 al están siendo tomadas ahora Aquí están aquellos resúmenes: mediodía, excepto en días para la Beca Chatman del feriados. Bordo Conjunto, que vale más La página 1 — la tabla conjunta de 20,000 dólares durante seguirá apoyando el boycott La página 6 —El periódico cuatro años del estudio en la del sacersote del plaza hotel en Buffalo News hacaba de hacer Universidad Cornell. La beca Rochester “por el plaza que se una breve biografía del Miembro está abierta a los niños de los tome,” manager Gary Bona- de la Local 14, Thomas “Cone- miembros que se graduarán de donna anunció. Los líderes de head” Girot. Girot es una celebri- la escuela secundaria el próx- clergy en Rochester empezáron dad en Buffalo debido a la imo año. ese boycott en marzo después marca principal del disfrace de de que el hotel repetivamente su cabeza de forma de un La Universidad Cornell maneja se negó a dar alos trabajadores cono que lleva puesto cuando el proceso de revisión de las un proceso libre y justo para vende cerveza en los estadios solicitaciones y selección. Los decidir sobre tener una unión. atléticos de la ciudad. Él ha sido formularios de solicitación están un vendedor de cerveza du- disponibles de representantes La página 2 - La tabla conjunta rante 35 años en Búfalo Bills, de las secciones y de la oficina y unírte aqí recientemente se Sabres, Bisons y juegos de los financiera en Rochester. Están agrupáran para dar trabajo Red WIngs. también disponibles en el aun grupo de jóvenes de edad Internet en www.uniterrjb.org. colegial para aumentar los La página 6 — Tanteos de Las aplicaciones no pueden rámgos de voluntarios protes- miembros de la Junta Unida tener sellos postales con una teros en el hotel de plaza de participaron en las recientes fecha mas tarde que el 2 de Rochester. celebraciones de Día del enero del 2009. Trabajo en Rochester. Aquí La página 4 — Si usted no esta están las fotos de algunos de La página 9 —miembros de la registrado para votar en elec- aquellos miembros que disfrutan Local 4 que trabajan en el ciones generales del 4 de de las festividades. Aeropuerto de Búfalo interna- noviembre, todavía tiene tiempo cional han ratificado un nuevo para registrarse. Usted tiene asta La página 7 — Local 471 miem- contrato de tres años que el viernes, 10 de octubre para bros trabajando en el servício asegura aumentos de salario registrarse. Usted puede conse- de comrda en el colégio Bard anuales, aumentos de pensión, guir formas en casi todas las serca de Poughkeepsie han y nuevas opciones para la oficinas de agencia estatales ratificado un contrato nuevo cobertura de seguro médico. (como el Departamento de ofreciendo no sólo los galarios Automóviles), en el correo, o en altos, pero tambien covertura La página 9 —Miembros de la cualquier oficina de elecciones médica por todo el año. Local 221que trabajan en Stern del condado. & Stern en Hornellz‘ han ratifi- La página 7 — los miembros de cado un nuevo contrato de tres La página 4 — Aquí está una la Unión que trabajan en el años que incrementa $1.15 lista de candidatos que le servicio de alimento en SUNY dólares por hora sobre el térm- pedimos que apoyen en las Plattsburgh han ratificado de ino y aumenta pensiones. Otras elecciones de noviembre. manera aplastante un nuevo mejoramientos incluyen un día contrato de dos años. De adiciona de falta por enferme- La página 5 — Esta carta de acuerdo con el contrato, los dad, la indemnización por Barak Obama a miembros de la trabajadores conseguirán despido, y una cláusula de Unión Propper muestra su apoyo aumentos de salario en ambos sucesor en el caso de que la fuerte a uniones e ilustra clara- años; un aumento de contri- compañía fuese vendida. mente por qué UNITE HERE! ha buciones de pensión pagadas respaldado a su candidatura por la compañía; y una mejora La página 10 — Cuarenta Presidencial. principal en la cobertura de miembros la Local 14-A partici- seguro medico. paron en el cuarto concurso La página 5 — el Centro Médico anual de tractores de almacenes de Hillman en Rochester ofre- La página 8 —miembros de la sostenido recientemente en el cerá otra vez vacunas de gripe Local 471 que trabajan en el gratis este otoño a patrones Saratoga Hilton han ratificado su complejo de Webster de Xeros. elegibles. Los detalles sobre las primer contrato — un pacto de vacunas de gripe serán envia- tres años que incluye aumento La página 10 — Este es una dos directamente a patrones de salario anual, la compañía carta del Comité de Acción del Hillman cuando el proyecto pagara el seguro medico, y Política de la Junta Unida que es finalizado. pensiones. La Junta Unida de la (Continuado en la página siguiente)

T H I R T Y derechos de los trabajadores La página 27 — Esta historia Reflections’ de unión más fuertes y más provee una breve biografía de (Continuada de la página anterior) vocales del la Junta Unida, Marion Walker, un miembro de murió recientemente. Ella se Organización de Trabajadores elogia los esfuerzos del director había retirado en 2001 después Jubilado Amalgamated que político Gary Bonadonna, Jr. de 27 años del servicio en HMX sirve en la Junta Directiva del en Búfalo. club. La página 11 — Una extensión y renovación de 20 millones de La página 16 — los representantes La página 28 — los Miembros dólares del Hotel Holiday Inn en de la Union y los lideres obreros que han servido por largo Liverpool significarán más desde más allá del Junta Unida tiempo son reconocidos en el empleos para los miembros de asistieron a la Conferencia de mismo cuarto del año que su la Local 150. El proyecto, que Liderasgo de este año. La Con- fecha de ser contratados. esta programado a finalizar el ferencia, sostenida en el Radisson próximo año, creará más amas en Corning, instruye a los líderes La página 28 — Este es la lista de casa, servicio de alimento y de la unión de los últimos temas y de reuniones para el resto del empleos de servidor de ban- provee inform-ación y entre- año para todas las locales de la quete. La local 150 ya repre- namiento impor-tante. Junta Unida. senta a miembros que trabajan en estas capacidades en el La página 19 — Gerald Bonafede La página 28 — los Miembros hotel. se ha retirado de Habasit Belting que han servido por largo en Búfalo después de una tiempo son reconocidos en el El proyecto incluye dos fases. En carrera de casi 44 años. mismo cuarto del año que su la primera fase, una extensión fecha de ser contratados. principal creará un Hotel de La página 20 — Aquí encontrara Staybridge de 123 cuartos que fotografías de los miembros de La página 29 se conectará con el edificio la Local 2714 que trabajan en —miembro de la Local 221, existente. El Staybridge funcion- las operaciones de Frontier en Charles Lehman se ha retirado ará por separado como un Rochester en la oficina de después de 41 ½ años de hotel donde los huéspedes se cuentas y como secretarios servicio en Stern & Stern en quedaran por un tiempo largo. generales. Hornell. La compañía produce En la segunda fase, el Holiday telas de especialidad usadas en Inn será extensivamente restaur- La página 22 —Don Alleson una variedad de productos de ado y renovado, y aproxima- Athetic Wear esta trayendo mas venta al público e industriales. damente se le añadirá 10,000 trabajo a su planta de Ginebra pies cuadrados para un nuevo y contratando a mas miembros espacio de reunión. de la Local 388-G para ayudar *** *** *** *** *** *** *** a manejar el aumento de —Grácias especiales para Luis Torres La página 11 —En mayo, miem- producción. por la asistecia en traducción bros de la Local 201 hicieron un *** *** *** *** *** *** *** gran esfuerzo como equipo La página 24 — algunos miem- para romper el record de bros de la Junta Unida trabajan cuanta ropa es movidas por el en Noticias Hudson en el aero- centro de distribución de HMX puerto de Rochester, donde ellos de Búfalo. venden libros, revistas, caramelos entre otras cosas a trabajadores La página 12 — Aquí hay del aeropuerto y viajeros. Aquí fotografías de nuestros miem- están las fotos de algunos de bros en la Local 150 que trab- estos nuevos miembros. ajan para AdvancedMeal proporcionando servicios de La página 25 — Elizabeth alimento para los pacientes y Corning — la mujer de 103 años personal en la Casa y Hospital que Reflexions recientemente Van Duyn en Syracuse. Ad- un articulo murió recientemente. vance Meals sostiene el contra- Ella todavía vivía independien- to de servicio de alimento con temente en el momento de su Van Duyn. muerte.

La página 14 — Aquí está una La página 26 — la Organización mirada fotográfica de nuestros de los Trabajadores Jubilados de Amalgamated Workers miembros de la Local 2541que This sign was recently placed over the trabajan en Aid to Hospitals en recientemente marcó su 25abo East Avenue entrance of the Joint Board’s Rochester. aniversario y honró Leslie Calder headquarters. The phrase, “Unions por crear la organización. Bettering Lives,” is being used in much of La página 15 — Marg Mallwitz, Calder es un gerente de Junta the Board’s advertising, literature and organizing work. uno de los luchadores por los Unida jubilado.

T H I R T Y - O N E Local 14-A special nominations, elections POLICY ON THE FEE OBJECTIONS tentatively scheduled UNITE HERE, in conformance with the requirements of law, has adopted a policy and procedure with respect to dues and fees Nominations and special elec- paid by non-members covered by collective bargaining tions have tentatively been agreements containing a union security clause. Under this policy, scheduled for October by Local an employee who is subject to a Union security clause and who, 14-A president Ross Clark. therefore, as a condition of employment, must pay regular and periodic dues or fees to our Union may perfect an objection with Special nominations for record- regard to the amount of dues or fees which he or she is being ing secretary required to pay. An existing UNITE HERE member who chooses to and for X Seniori- object to the payment of full periodic dues uniformly required as ty Unit shop a condition of acquiring or retaining membership in our Union chairman are must resign from membership. A newly-represented employee planned for 7 who chooses to object to the full payment of dues may refuse to p.m. October 14 join the Union and will be treated as a fee payer. To the extent at the Union Hall, permitted by law, non-members cannot participate in Union Clark said. Elec- elections as a voter or a candidate, attend Union meetings, tions would follow. serve as delegates to the Joint Board or as a delegate to the UNITE HERE convention, or participate in the process by which The nominations collective bargaining agreements are reached and ratified. Any and elections are Rochester Regional Joint Board-represented employee may tentatively resign from membership and file an objection with regard to the Clark planned to fill amount of dues or fees he or she is required to pay by following vacancies created because the procedure set out in the annual report of UNITE HERE. Every recording secretary John DeLue member is mailed a copy of this annual report and you may and shop rep Verdell Lane are obtain a copy from the UNITE HERE Communications taking a retirement package. Department at 275 Seventh Ave., New York, New York 10001-6708. Their specific departure dates You may also request a copy from the Secretary-Treasurer of the were not finalized at press time. Rochester Regional Joint Board, 750 East Ave., Rochester, N.Y., 14607. The final details regarding any nominations and elections will The Rochester Regional Joint Board expects very few employees be posted on union bulletin it represents will avail themselves of this option since it firmly boards and announced believes that those it represents recognize the importance of all through the shop reps, Clark expenditures which the Union incurs and the many ways in stressed.  which these expenditures benefit our members.

Rochester Regional Joint Board, CHANGE OF UNITE HERE Non-Profit Org. ADDRESS 750 East Avenue U.S. Postage Rochester, NY 14607 PAID PLEASE— if your name or address Rochester N.Y. has changed, let us know. Simply Permit No. 4395 complete the form below with the new information AND enclose the old mailing label used for sending you this issue of REFLECTIONS. New mailing information: (Please print all information).

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