(Union Privilege issued the following news release on September 8.)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A scholarship program provided through the Union Plus Education Foundation and administered by the George Meany Center ? National Labor College (GMC-NLC) is helping to make the dream of obtaining a college degree a reality for union members throughout the labor movement. As part of an ongoing grant program, five individuals representing the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA), Amalgamated Transportation Union (ATU), International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), Laborers? International Union of North America (LIUNA), and the Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA) ? were the most recent scholarship winners.
Leslie Tolf, Union Privilege president, explains the importance of the Union Plus National Labor College Scholarship program: “Higher education has become increasingly more difficult for working families to afford. That is why we are proud to sponsor the Union Plus National Labor College Scholarship program and help men and women in the labor movement achieve their dreams for a higher education.”
Tolf adds, “The National Labor College offers a unique program that is tailor-made for working men and women. The program allows students to attend classes at their own pace; the curriculum complements the work and union experiences of students; and it provides a learning assessment program that enables many students to obtain college credit for their relevant life and work experiences.”
— Eula Jackson, a member of ATU, Local 1546, says a degree ? which she plans to receive in June 2004 ? will help her continue to be an “advocate for working people’s rights.” “As soon as I took courses at GMC-NLC, I was hooked. I loved learning about the various aspects of the law, and I knew that GMC-NLC would help me in my union activism.” Jackson, who lives near Baton Rouge, LA, now aspires to earn a Master?s of Arts degree in Legal and Ethical Studies ? a program offered through a partnership between the University of Baltimore and GMC-NLC.
— IAFF Local 140 member Gary Moore, who expects to receive a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Safety and Health in June 2004, says the degree and scholarship will help him continue to be an effective union activist. “I’m glad I made the decision to go back to school. It’s been hard juggling education and work, but it’s definitely worth it. The scholarship definitely is helpful in defraying the costs.” Moore is from the Nashville, TN area.
— James Baker, a member of UWUA/Locals 1-2, is enrolled in a GMC-NLC Partnership program with Cornell University. Baker, who is slated to receive a B.A. degree in Labor Studies next year, says the College and scholarship have provided him with a “fantastic” opportunity to earn a degree. “I’ve been given the tools ? now I have to do the work.” Baker lives and works in New York City.
— Elwood Lewis, an Internet technology professional for LIUNA, explains: “I have loved my experience at the College. It’s been very rewarding. I’m looking forward to my next week-in-residence, and I’m thankful to receive the cash award.” Lewis, a resident of Northern Virginia, expects to receive a B.A. degree in Labor Studies next June.
— A member of the AFA from Bethesda, MD also received a cash award to attend the GMC-NLC.
In addition to the B.A. program, GMC-NLC offers a Master’s in Public Administration and a Master’s of Arts in Legal and Ethical Studies. The Master Degree programs are offered in partnership with the University of Baltimore. GMC-NLC also offers a certificate program and individual program studies.
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Union Privilege, founded by the AFL-CIO in 1986, develops and manages the Union Plus consumer benefit programs. The Union Plus programs are designed to help the families of the 13 million members of AFL-CIO affiliated unions save time and money. The Union Plus programs include a money-saving credit card, free and discounted legal services, a scholarship program, discounted prescriptions and health care services, education and job skills training assistance, a home buying program, travel and recreation discounts and more. For more information about the 2003 Union Plus National Labor College Scholarship program, visit www.unionplus.org/scholarships.
The George Meany Center ? National Labor College, dates back to 1969, when the AFL-CIO, then under the direction of President George Meany, recognized that the labor movement needed to have its own college ? a national center that would provide continuous labor education for all union activists. Today, the 70 week-long labor studies programs promote education and training opportunities for union leadership and rank-and-file members. For details about the George Meany Center ? National Labor College, visit www.georgemeany.org