A Fantastic Leadership Training Institute
Regions 5 and 6 sponsored a Leadership Training Institute on July 17th and 18th and had a fantastic response with over one hundred participants attending. The LTI was held at the world famous Peabody Hotel in Memphis, Tennessee, right next to Beale Street. The times spent outside of the classes were exciting to say the least.
Our members received top-notch training in grievance handling, Weingarten Rights, organizing, health and safety and Secretary-Treasurer duties just to name a few. In addition, they all were given a clear understanding of our political fund, ABC (Active Ballot Club). Steve Powell from the UFCW International Headquarters helped with a great explanation of the government regulations and restrictions that are requiring us at the Chemical Council to change our PAC dollars at LIVE to the PAC dollars at ABC. So what did our members do? What else—they responded with a resounding drive during the training of over $3,000! Unbelievable. Thanks to all of the members who donated and truly believe that our political dollars do make a difference.
During training, we took time to explain about the tragedy at Weeks Island, Louisiana where one of our long time members was tragically killed when the ceiling of the salt mine in which he was working collapsed on him. Brother Carlton Pennier, a 25-year member of Local 27C, was killed instantly. “Penn,” as his co-workers called him, is missed by all of us. Family, friends and co-workers alike were all saddened by Penn’s death. Another good union brother is gone forever from our lives, but never from our thoughts and prayers.
A Great Man with a Kind Heart
The describes Doug Davis, President of Local 130C in Marshall, Texas. Doug was the winner of the 50/50 drawing held during our meeting in Memphis. Doug won over $1,500 in this drawing but Doug, without hesitation, donated his entire winnings to the family of brother Carlton Pennier. Ole Doug said, “Hell, they need it more that I do.” What a kind man and dedicated train unionist. We need more like Doug. You might remember Ole Doug from our last article. He, along with Victor Williams, paid their own way and on their own time helped Representative Ricky Lawrence picket the Degussa Plant in Orange, Texas where after over 15 months of negotiations, we still didn’t have a contract. Shortly after Ole Doug left town, we had a new 3-year agreement. Ole Doug (shown below with Local 29C President Lynel Wilson and ICWUC President Frank Cyphers) has a rough exterior but he is one of the most dedicated, hard working and kindest men I have ever met. Doug, our hats go off to you, buddy.
Vice Presidents Neal Dillard and Art Stevens would like to thank all who attended and made our training a success. We would also like to thank you for any comments that will help us make improvements for future training institutes. Our only hope is that you will return to your locals with knowledge that you can share with your union brothers and sisters and help improve and grow your local union.
We Thank All of You
