Scholarships

Four scholarship awards of $2,000 each have been named in honor of Forrest Johnson, past member of North Thurston School District, Local 618, and in memory of Dave Morgan, past member of Issaquah School District Transportation Local 21-I.

Forrest Johnson worked for the North Thurston School District as a Day Custodian for about 16 years. He was forced to retire for health reasons and has moved to Bremerton to be with his family. He is an avid Union activist and was the Chapter Chair for Local 618, North Thurston School District for several years. He led the fight for fairness for everyone, especially for the underdog, Council 2 members say.

After retiring from Honeywell, Dave Morgan went to work as a school bus driver for the Issaquah School District in 1987. He was a dedicated employee and was always willing to help his co-workers whenever needed. He worked at the school district until February 1999 when he died in his sleep. “Dave was a compassionate bus driver and the children he drove to school each day loved him dearly,” says Bob Lontz, president of Local 21-I.

Continuing Education Awards

Eight Continuing Education Awards of $500 each have been named in memory of Troy Boyd, past member of City of Wenatchee Local 846-W; John Holmes, past member of Spokane County Jail & Pierce County Corrections Locals 492 and 120-CD; Sue Einarson, past member of Columbia River Mental Health, Local 2699; and Larry Oser, past member of Columbia River Mental Health, Local 2699.

Troy Boyd worked for the City of Wenatchee Engineering Department where he was a member of Local 846-W. He died on August 8, 2000 while on duty as the project inspector for the City of Wenatchee utility project being constructed by a private contractor. “He was an exceptional individual,” says Margie Y. Wilson, Associate Engineer for the City of Wenatchee. “It would be an honor and tribute to his memory to lend his name to a means by which others may be provided the opportunity for a better future.”

John Holmes was a retired Air Force Master Sergeant who worked for 10 years as a corrections officer at the Spokane County Jail, where he served as the Local 492’s Secretary-Treasurer. He then followed his wife Luby's career to Tacoma, where he became a corrections officer at the Pierce County Jail, Local 120-CD. He had a great sense of humor and was highly respected in his field, says Ken Thomas, President of Local 492.

Sue Einarson held a position as Transportation Coordinator in the Adult Day Health Center of Columbia River Mental Health. She was an active member of the newly organized Local 2699 until her recent death from cancer.

Larry Oser served as Kitchen Coordinator at the residential program, called Elahan Place, at Columbia River Mental Health. He was an excellent chef, steward and the father of a teenage daughter.

Summer School for Trade Union Women

The Labor Center's Summer School for Trade Union Women Award has been named in memory of Catherine Foreman, City of Yakima Local 1122.

Applications for the 2002 scholarships must be received by March 15. Application forms are available by clicking here.