February 27, 2007

United Way Honors Local Unions For Community Contributions

Special Reception Also Recognizes New Labor Leaders

Rochester, NY - Members of local labor unions and United Way supporters gathered at the Hyatt tonight for a special reception to honor local members of organized labor, and their continued commitment to our community.

During the evening, Community Service Awards were given to unions whose remarkable efforts over the past year helped to improve the lives of people who live and work in our community. This year’s award recipients were: Teamsters Local 118, Sheet Metal Workers’ Local 46, CSEA Local 436 Finger Lakes DDSO, IBEW Local 86, Laborers Local 435, CWA Local 1170, Carpenters Local 85, UAW Local 1097, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1, National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 210, Roofer’s Local 22, and the West Irondequoit Teachers’ Association.

The award for individual service recognition this year was given to a union member who truly exemplified the spirit of solidarity. The late Ed Wright, a member of Laborers Local 435, believed in organized labor, social justice, and representing the underserved. He enjoyed taking part in community events, and was always willing and ready to provide opportunities for children in the community. Wright passed away unexpectedly this past fall, but his family was on hand to accept the award on his behalf.

Also during the ceremony, nine graduates of 2007 Union Counselor Training Program (UCAN) were recognized for their commitment to helping others, and for being new leaders in the community. UCAN participants are involved in seven weeks of instruction to prepare them to assist families and co-workers in referral and support services. Upon completion of the program, graduates are equipped to guide their family, friends, and colleagues in solving problems they may not be able to handle alone. Participants are also taught leadership skills, and are prepared to serve in policy-making positions on the boards or committees of not-for-profit organizations.

“Being part of the Union Counselor Training Program is an incredible commitment, and I commend tonight’s graduates,” said Rosemarie McKinney, United Way’s Director AFL-CIO Community Services. “They are the future labor leaders of our community, and they truly exemplify what being a union ‘brother’ or ‘sister’ means.”

The 2007 graduates of the UCAN program are: Wanda Bullock (CWA LOCAL 1170), Denella Coward (UAW Local 1097), Judy Knights (NYSCOPBA), Ronald Lazarus (NYSCOPBA), Letitia Marshall (NYSCOPBA), Rick Sanchez (CWA Local 1170), Renaye Simmons (UAW Local 1097), Dr. Alfred Smith (RTA), and Ken Warner (Rochester Building Trades).

United Way also presented two checks to support organized labor programs. A check in the amount of $1,000 was presented to Dianne Ostrander of CWA Local 1170 to benefit the Robert Flavin Scholarship Fund. Another $1,000 check was presented to Linda Donohue, Vice-Chair of the Ron Pettengill Education Fund. Both the Flavin and the Pettengill Funds provide scholarships and grants for labor education and training. 

The Union Counselor Training Program is sponsored jointly by the Rochester Labor Council, AFL-CIO, United Way of Greater Rochester, and Cornell Labor Studies Program. For more information on UCAN, please call (585) 242-6499.



The vision of United Way of Greater Rochester is to be the leading, broad-based community resource for identifying, solving and preventing our most critical social problems. Our mission is to magnify and focus the power of community resources to address our most pressing social needs.