The Community Services and Events Planning Comm. volunteered at State Rep. Roger Bruce’s Family Fun Day at Sweetwater Creek State Park on May 10.  Everyone had a great time.  Isaac Gobern Business Agent BCTGM Local 42, his daughter and friends enjoyed the fishing.  Charlie Flemming, Pres. Atlanta North Georgia Labor Council along with CWA Local 3204 President Walter Andrews and his son, (and Local 3204 activist). Thanks to all the others who came out in support of this event.

The Minimum Wage Strategy Session on May 12 was excellent.  There was a good crowd of about 35 people from allied groups including ABLE, 9 to 5, Georgia Rural Urban Summit, Faith in the Cities and Georgia Hunger Coalition.  We are trying to find a way to move forward on this issue during the next legislative session, including voter registration drives and canvassing in key legislators districts.  The next meeting is scheduled for June 16 from 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM – location to be determined. Contact me for more info jbrown@unitedwayatlanta.org.

The May 13 and May 27 ABLE (Atlantans Building Leadership for Empowerment) and Executive Comm. meetings on April 23 and May 13 respectively.  We are planning a training session on Saturday June 28 from 9:30 AM – 2:00 PM.  We need your help in identify members or retired members of your local that are active in their congregations that can attend this training. 

May 15^th, the weather may have been rainy but that didn’t dampen the union spirit or the turnout for a rally in support of Delta Flight attendants who are voting in an election to have AFA-CWA represent them.  What a great rally – there were probably 175 people there from CWA, Teamsters, OPEIU, Machinists, Building Trades, IBEW, Painters, Auto Workers, Bakery, United Food and Commercial workers, Pilots, Air Traffic controllers, Glass Molders and Pottery Works, Plumbers, IATSE, and more.  Unfortunately, the flight attendants' fight for union representation fell short in the May 28 ballot count at the National Mediation Board, but management's campaign of voter suppression and intimidation has not extinguished the workers' continuing desire to get a union.  AFA-CWA plans to file formal interference charges with the NMB because of the company's tactics and for other irregularities.  For all the details: http://www.afanet.org/.

Saturday May 17 was a great day for the Coalition of Labor Women – Georgia Chapter that sponsored a workshop on Women in Labor.  Special guest Carolyn Williams, (IBEW Local 613), Director of Human Rights for the IBEW International Union and CLUW National Vice President gave an overview of CLUW and their current projects and programs.  Vickie Key, USW gave the attendees some great info about women in labor.  And Isaac Gobern BCTGM Local 42 Business Manager shared his positive experience with CLUW.  Stay tuned for future workshops.

May 28^th  Turn Around America 2008 Healthcare presentation with UAW Local 34 Retiree Chapter and GMP Local 236 Union Meeting.  The video gives good info about the upcoming election and how union members can make a big difference.  The retirees   remembered the first contract when they got employer paid healthcare and there were a few who did.  Let’s make sure our children and grandchildren don’t lose what we already have won. 

May 29^th, UFCW International President Joe Hansen chaired hearings of the National Commission on in Immigration Customs Enforcement misconduct.  The hearings are part of the commissions’ work to identify possible violations of the 4^th Amendment by ICE.  After thorough investigation, the Commission will produce a report that highlights its findings and make recommendations to ensure that workers do not check their constitutional rights at the door when they report to work.  Congressman John Lewis attended the hearings along with civil rights and community leaders.  Members of the labor community, ABLE and Georgia STANDup were also present.  More info at http://www.icemisconduct.org/icemisconduct/

Kudos to Unions Building Community: Thanks to IUPAT District Council 77 for their generous donation from PATCH (Painters and Allied Trades for Children’s Hope Fund).  The funds raised at their golf tournament, will support United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta’s programs focused on Children (ages 0-5 ready for school) and Youth (ages 6-17 are successful in learning). 

Thanks to all who participated in the NALC Annual Food Drive by putting food out for your letter carrier to pick up when they delivered mail on May 10.  While the final number is not yet in, NALC Branch 73 reports the drive collected over 56,000 pounds of food! This doesn’t include all the food collected by the outlying branches and the Rural Letter Carriers.  GMP Local 236 in Fairburn loaded up the truck of their Rural Letter Carrier’s truck.  And thanks to all the Letter Carriers who not only picked up the food, but then joined others in unloading and sorting the food at the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Way to go! 

Also thanks to the Atlanta/North Georgia Labor Council for their donation to United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta.

May 8 CWA Local 3204’s golf tournament raised nearly $5,000 to support CWA’s charity of choice the Elizabeth Glazer Pediatric Aids foundation.

Thanks to CWA Local 3204 leadership and members who supported the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta’s employee giving campaign at AVAYA.  Special thanks to Sandra Parker for her help in pulling together a thank you celebration on April 30.

Upcoming Events:

Join the Building Trades Council in the fight against diabetes for the Annual DAD’s Day Golf Tournament, Wednesday, June 4, 8:00 AM, Shotgun Start at The Golf Club at Bradshaw Farms at 30 Bradshaw Club Drive, Woodstock, GA 30188.  For registration and info call the office at 404-584-0005 or: http://www.bctc.net/docs/2008%20Registration%20Form%20Player%20Info.doc

Can you lend a hand?  The Atlanta North Georgia Labor Council Community Services/Events Committee will meet on Monday June 9, at 5:00 PM in the 5^th floor conference room of the IBEW Building, 501 Pulliam St. SW, Atlanta, 30312.  We are planning upcoming community service events and need your local’s involvement.  Contact Denise Mayes at 404 525 3559 or Denise@atlantalaborcouncil.org

Bring your management counterpart to the Georgia Labor Management Conference, June 11 - 13, Savannah, Georgia.  http://www.galmc.com/.  Come enjoy the location, learn lots and build relationships.  Registration is Tuesday June 10, 2:00 – 6:00 PM.  Contact Laurie Penland at 404-679-0687 or laurie.penland@dol.state.ga.us.

Be at the Alliance for Retired Americans Meeting on Wednesday June 11, at 1:00 PM in the 5^th floor conference room, IBEW Building.  Come learn how you can get involved in the fight to secure healthcare.

Atlanta North Georgia Labor Council’s Regular Monthly Meeting is Wednesday June 11, 6:00 PM at the IBEW Auditorium, 501 Pulliam St. SW, Atlanta, GA 30312.

Coalition of Black Trade Unionists – Atlanta Chapter – meeting will be Thursday, June 12, at 6:00 PM in the 2^nd floor dispatch room at the IBEW Building, 501 Pulliam St. SW, Atlanta, GA 30312.

For details contact Jimmy Dedeaux at jimmyd@joimail.com

Friday evening, June 13, 8:00 PM – midnight, join members of APRI for a belated A. Phillip Randolph birthday celebration and dance.  Location is the IBEW Auditorium, 501 Pulliam St. SW, Atlanta GA 30312.  Tickets are $15.00 per person or $25.00 for a couple.  Hope to see you there!  For more information contact Charles James at csisi1@bellsouth.net or 404-243-1984.

Give the Gift of Life to Union Brother and Sister burn patients injured on the job that are hospitalized at the J.M. Stills Burn Center in Augusta GA.  Blood is critical to the successful recovery of burn patients and the Shepheard Community Blood Center is the sole supplier of blood products to the Burn Center.  Monday, June 16, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM participate in the blood drive sponsored by the Building Trades.  Location: 374 Maynard Terrace, S.E., Atlanta, GA 30316.  Food and T- Shirts will be provided for all donors.  Bring your picture id!

Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW) Greater Georgia Chapter meets on Thursday, June 19, 6:00 PM in the 3^rd floor conference room of the IBEW Building, 501 Pulliam St. SW, Atlanta, GA 30312.  Details contact Karen Mickel at chocpuf@bellsouth.net or 404-295-1671.

The A. Philip Randolph Institute Atlanta Chapter will meet on Wednesday, June 18, at 6:00 PM in the dispatch office on the 2^nd floor of the IBEW Building, 501 Pulliam St. SW, Atlanta, GA 30312.  Details contact Charles James at csisi1@bellsouth.net or (404) 243-1984.

Georgia AFL-CIO: Community Service, Legislative and Organizing Conference at Sea Palms Golf & Tennis Resort on Saint Simons Island starting at 9:00 AM on Monday June 23 and concluding mid-day on Thursday June 26.  The conference theme is “Its Up to Us to Fix it!”  For more information or to register contact Carol Dubose at cdubose@bellsouth.net or 404-525-2793.

ABLE/Gamaliel Is there a member of your Local Union that is active in their congregation?  One who opens your meetings with a prayer? Send them to the ABLE meeting where faith and activism merge! ABLE (Atlantans Building Leadership for Empowerment) will meet on Tuesday, June 24, at 7:00 PM at First Iconium Baptist Church, 542 Moreland Ave. SE, Atlanta, 30316.  We are working on three issues: Health Care, Education and Comprehensive Immigration Reform.  More info at http://www.gamaliel.org/ABLE/default.htm.

Friday June 27, Noon – 2:30 PM - Georgia STAND- UP monthly meeting.  Please respond to rsvp@georgiastandup.org or the office at 404-581-0061 before June 18.  Lunch provided.

ABLE/Gamaliel Want to learn how your faith can work with your activism in the democratic process to help create the kind of community and nation we all want to live in? Come to ABLE’s Faith and Democracy Training on Saturday June 28 from 9:30 AM- 2:00 PM at First Iconium Baptist Church, 542 Moreland Ave. SE, Atlanta, 30316.   Continental Breakfast and lunch will be provided.  There is a $10.00 registration fee to help with food costs.  For more info or to register http://www.gamaliel.org/ABLE/default.htm.

The AFL-CIO and our community affiliate, Working America, want to know what it’s like to be a working woman in America this election year. If you’re a working woman, please take a moment to complete the 2008 Ask a Working Woman survey.  Do you love your work but hate your job? Do you have ideas—big or small—about how to make things better? It’s time for working women to sound off about what would make their work lives easier.  Go to http://www.aflcio.org/issues/jobseconomy/women/ and let your voice be heard!

If you know other Union Members involved in Community Service, please let us know.