2005 scholarships will honor seven Council 2 members

THE COUNCIL 2 scholarships for 2005 have been named in honor of, or in memory of, seven people, listed below. Tributes from the Locals of which they were members are included. Applications for the scholarships will be available in early December or online at www.council2.com. The deadline is March 15, 2005.

VELMA STANLEY

Velma Stanley, who died in December 1997 shortly after she retired at age 60, was one of the founders of Local 2083 and its first president. She worked for 34 years at the Seattle Public Library.

“She is one of our heroes and deserves an inspiring memorial such as this,” members of the Local 2083 executive board say in a letter suggesting a scholarship be named after her.

In the late 60s, Velma and some of her colleagues reacted to low salaries and to a campaign of personal innuendo waged by the library administration by deciding to organize, not get mad. She worked to establish an AFSCME Local among the classified employees at the library, but the management refused to comply.

Velma and her colleagues turned to AFSCME, and Council 2’s John Malgarini and Tom Bartlett helped organize the library clerical workers. The librarians organized separately, but on February 15, 1973, Local 2083-N was born as the representative of the Seattle Public Library’s clerical workers. Velma was the first elected president of the clerical workers’ local, AFSCME 2083N.

“Her experience in confronting management bore fruit for our contract — a strong grievance procedure, and language preventing arbitrary promotions was an early feature of the agreement,” the executive board says.

Identifying common issues proved to be more important than separating into librarians and clerical employees, and the two Locals became one in 1993. Velma saw many changes over her career in the library, but remained an active and informed member of the union.

“As we round out our 33rd year, it is inspiring to think about some of our heroes whose work made our paths so much easier than theirs were,” the board members add.

GAIL ST. JOHN

Gail St. John, an active member of Local 21-I, Issaquah School Bus Drivers, since 1997, died in May 2004.

“Gail’s soft-spoken manner and her innate ability to reach out to those in need made her the perfect special needs driver,” says C. Angela McSwain, president of Local 21-I. “Her compassion and dedication to her students drew countless words of praise from grateful parents, students and co-workers alike. Although Gail, who was an only child, never married and had no children of her own, her ‘kids’ thought the world of her.

“Gail was also a constant in our lives. She was a real can-do person, a hard worker and lived her life with honesty and love. She always had a willing ear, a cheery hello, and words of encouragement. I think the most amazing aspect of Gail was that she let people be who they were. I never heard her say a bad thing about anyone. Her presence has been missed by all of us here at Local 21-I.”

She was a caregiver from her young childhood in her mother’s adult care home, her own adult care home, her dog boarding and grooming business and finally as a caregiver as a special needs bus driver until her death from cancer in May.

“Gail was a true friend to many,” says Sharon Rose, of Local 21-I. “Her heart was huge and she gave a close ear to anyone and was the first one to help anyone in need. She was the fairest-minded person I’ve ever had the pleasure to know.”

PERRY CRANDALL

Perry Crandall, of Pierce County Library Local 3787, died in August in a motorcycle accident.

He began employment with the library in 1996. He worked in five different branches around the county, including the bookmobile. He also worked in the library’s graphics department.

“He was well liked and will be missed by many staff members and the public,” says Patti Cox, of Local 3787.

MIKE CMOS

Mike Cmos, 46, a member of Local 270, who worked for the City of Spokane for 24 years, died in October when a concrete roof collapsed into a “digester” tank it was covering.

Local members recall Cmos, a father and husband, as someone who was “loved by everybody.” They remember him as “handsome, gregarious, kind and funny.” He was, they add, the kind of person who would help you paint your house.

Fellow employees were hard hit by Cmos’s death and felt naming a scholarship after him would be a fitting tribute.

WALT BAILEY

Walt served on the Local 275 executive board in one capacity or another from Sergeant of Arms to Chapter Chair for the City of Aberdeen for more than 20 years.

An executive board member for the Friends of Labor, he also served as president of that board. He was on the Council 2 Legislative Committee for 15 years. He also represented Local 275 on the Twin Harbors Labor Council for years.

“He was a staunch Democrat who never missed a party meeting unless it was during hunting season,” says Kevin James, treasurer of Local 275. “Everyone on the Hill knew who the man in the red suspenders was and what he stood for. I hope in some small way this gives you an insight into what we all lost.”

JUDY TALBOT

Judy Talbot retired from the City of Walla Walla Water Division after more than 30 years at the end of 2003. Judy was president of Local 1991-W for three years, vice president for four years and shop steward for more than 20 years.

“She has been a true union member and has had the members’ best interests at heart in everything she did for the Local,” says Michael Jackson, president of Local 1191-W. “She always volunteered her time and was the first to be there for her union friends in their time of need. She’s been there with her support in the good times and bad.”

Judy was a delegate to state convention several times and attended many shop steward trainings throughout her 30 years at the City of Walla Walla.

“Judy looked upon every convention and every seminar as a learning experience,” Jackson adds. “She impressed upon our membership that you always come away with some added knowledge from these opportunities.

“We were reluctant to let Judy retire because she has been such a strong support for our Local but she continues to stay connected with us.”

PAULA LAWS

Paula Laws, who recently retired, is being honored for the many years of service she gave to the union generally and to workers in Idaho in particular.

She took a leading role in establishing Local 433, City of Coeur d’Alene, of which she was president until she retired from the City in May this year. She played a key role in the 1999 fight to restore bargaining rights to City workers.

In 1997 Paula was appointed to the exective board, representing the new district of Idaho. She held the position until May this year when she retired.

She also has been an active member of the Women’s Action Committee.