Hector Alikhan, Local 3325, and Diana MacQuarrie, Local 2719, were two of the 2008 Union Leaders of the Future Scholarship winners.

The deadline to apply for the Union Leaders of the Future Scholarship is fast approaching. Applications for the program, which aims to help more women and people of color become union leaders, must be received by May 30.

The scholarship provides annual awards of up to $3,000 to help future union leaders with the cost of continuing their education in order to pursue their union career goals and leadership skills.

Scholarships can be used for tuition, books and travel for leadership training at accredited labor schools, colleges, universities and community colleges. Many students have used the program to attend the National Labor College.

In addition, scholarship winners will be matched with current union leaders to participate in a special mentoring program.

By affording opportunities for women and people of color to continue their education, the scholarship program is helping build a skilled, diverse leadership for the union movement to continue to reach out and provide benefits to more workers.

So far, the Union Leaders of the Future Scholarship Program has awarded $74,000 to 28 winners. Last year’s winners included AFSCME members Hector Alikhan from Local 3325 and Diana MacQuarrie from Local 2719.

All applications must be postmarked by May 30, 2009. Scholarship winners will be contacted by July 7, 2009.

AFSCME members are meeting the emergency in the Midwest head on – helping with relief and repair efforts. They are also providing aid to our own members who were affected by the floodwaters and the storms, losing their homes and their possessions.

The AFSCME Midwest Relief and Recovery Team – a group commissioned by the International Union in Washington, D.C. – has been working closely with our affiliates in the region to assist our brothers and sisters. Photos and more details below. You can help by making an online donation to AFSCME’s relief fund. 

The team – headed by Gloria T. Caoile (right) – talks to tornado and flood victims in Cedar Falls, Iowa, providing immediate cash assistance to about 18 members (mostly University of North Iowa (UNI) workers) who suffered losses and damages to their homes. Council 61 President Danny Homan joined their efforts and personally assured our members of the International Union’s support.

An F-5 tornado ripped through Parkersburg at 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 25. Of the 900 residents, 350 lost their homes.

Terry Drewelow (left), a UNI custodian and member of Local 2659, stands in front of the ruins of his 1902 Victorian home. Terry and his wife Darla survived the tornado by crouching under a table in the basement.

“The tornado was four miles away when we got a call to evacuate,” Terry recalls. “But within two minutes, we heard the sound of a freight train so we rushed to the basement. We figured our life was over.” Three other members suffered total losses. Eight people died that Sunday evening when the tornado hit Parkersburg. Local President Rod Baker (right), who lives in another part of town, suffered only minor damages to his house.

“This is where my house used to be,” Terry says, who is determined to pick up the pieces and rebuild. Several of his co-workers came down to assist the victims immediately after the tornado.

Before heading back to Des Moines, the Relief Team assured Rod Baker that Council 61 and the International Union will be there for our members and assist in their recovery.

Now it’s time for the rest of us to help our brothers and sisters. Your generosity will make a real difference. Make a secure online contribution now or send a check to:

AFSCME Fallen Heroes Fund
1625 L Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20036-5687

(Photos by Jon Melegrito, a member of the AFSCME Midwest Relief and Recovery Team)

As floodwaters ravage the Midwest, AFSCME members are working nonstop to provide relief to the tens of thousands of people who have been evacuated or forced from their homes. From staffing homeless shelters to providing medical care, they are on the frontlines meeting this emergency head on.

But just as our AFSCME brothers and sisters do everything humanly possible to aid the residents of these communities, we must bear in mind that they also need our assistance. Many have lost their homes and every possession as a result of these catastrophes.

This is why our union has donated $100,000 to the AFSCME Fallen Heroes Fund today, money that will go directly to provide relief and immediate assistance to our members in the Midwest. You can also help the victims of the floods by making a secure contribution online or by writing a check to the AFSCME Fallen Heroes Fund. Click here for more information.