President of UNITEHERE! D. Taylor delivers a statement about the mass shooting in Orlando.
President of UNITEHERE! D. Taylor delivers a statement about the mass shooting in Orlando.
“The murderous attack that took place in Orlando over this past week-end shakes all of us to the core. Once again an easily purchased assault weapon brings death and misery to so many. Once again innocent men and women have their lives cut short. Once again our hearts are broken. Our hearts and prayers go out to all those affected by these terrible events. Our resolve goes out once again to put our political leaders on notice that we will not stand by and do nothing. The guns laws in this nation must change. The intolerance and marginalization of LGBTQ men and women must end.
I must add a special word of condolence and commitment to our brothers and sisters in the LGBTQ community. Grief and horror can only be matched today by righteous anger at this assault on the gay community. So much heartbreak is borne again in the face of bigotry and intolerance. Our members want the entire LGBTQ community to know that we are with you. We stand with you. We want you to know that UNITE HERE members all across both countries stand with you. We stand with you now in the face of such loss. We stand with you in the ongoing struggle for tolerance and full equality. We stand with you as you stand with our members in the ongoing struggle for human dignity and justice.
I ask all of our local unions to act today. This is Gay Pride month. I urge every local to be engaged in the special programs of the LGBTQ community. Let us show our solidarity. It is needed now more than ever.”
NOTE
UNITEHERE! Local 100 will be continuing its participation and will be attending this year’s NYC PRIDE Event on sunday June 26th, in solidarity with people from all over the world and celebrating equality which is vital to our movement. Come join us and walk in support of the LGBTQ community.
WORKERS DEFENSE LEAGUE 80TH ANNIVERSARY DINNER
The 80th anniversary dinner of the Workers Defense League was held on May 17th. National president of American Federation of Government Employees J.David Cox Sr. was honored, along with Mike Hellstrom, Business manager/Secretary Treasurer of Local 108 Laborers International Union of North America and Bill Granfield, President of Local 100. Special presenter Mayor Bill De blasio presented Bill Granfield with his award and gave a heart warming speech commending him for his work throughout the years.
First Union Member to become a U.S citizen
Secretary-Treasurer Jose Maldonado and UNITEHERE! Local 100 congratulates Jose Toledo on becoming the first union member to become a U.S citizen. Mr. Toledo has been an employee of the United Nations for over 13 years and now the first UNITEHERE Local 100 member to become a US Citizen through the Union Citizenship Program.
After the citizenship ceremony Mr. Toledo said “I came to this country 22 years ago as a legal resident but it wasn’t until my Union brought the citizenship program to our shop that I decided to apply. I love my Union, my daughter who is a minor got citizenship though me. I want to thank my Union because now, I have the right to vote. I’m proud of my Union for fighting for our benefits and bringing programs like the citizenship program to benefit us and our families”.
Members and family members from over 35 shops applied for citizenship and Mr. Toledo is the first of many more to come.
Empire BCBS Future Moms Program
Future Moms is a program that helps women have a safe pregnancy that results in the delivery of a healthy child. The program provides participants with a toll free number to answer all pregnancy questions, early pregnancy screenings, free booklets containing helpful pregnancy tips, access to specialists, and much more. To join this program, call 800-828-5891.
If you have any questions about these programs or your medical coverage in general, you can contact Empire BlueCross BlueShield directly by visiting www.empireblue.com or by calling 800-553-9603.