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View photos from the steward's seminar here
UFCW Local 1459 stewards from across Western Massachusetts gathered on Tuesday at the annual steward's seminar to learn and share knowledge about the art of good stewardship. This year's seminar was very well attended. Stewards are critical to helping members ensure employers live up to the terms of the contract and in helping to mobilize and educate members.
President Macey Announces Retirement
The morning started with an announcement that, after 36 years with the United Food & Commercial Workers union, President Scott Macey is retiring from Local 1459. President Macey took the reins from President Dick Abdow in 2003. Since that time, he has grown the local to its largest size since the late 90s after the loss of Caldor's and Bradlee's members. President Macey says he "has no regrets" and was proud of his ability to leave the local in very sound financial shape. President Macey will be staying on for another year overseeing the health and welfare fund.
President Macey will be succeeded by Secretary Treasurer Daniel Clifford and Richard Brown will take on the Secretary Treasurer's responsibilities. "I'm leaving the local in very capable hands," President Macey said. President Macey's last day in office is April 30, 2010.
Steward Education Workshops
The focus of this year's seminar stressed the importance of the steward in helping to engage and mobilize members to action. UFCW International Executive Vice President, William McDonough, gave insightful remarks on how stewards can help advertise the value of unions and move the agenda of unions forward with face-to-face communications.
 Rick Brown, incoming Secretary TreasurerLocal 1459 Vice President Rick Brown, talked about the necessary evil of engaging in the political process. He discussed how Local 1459 will be stepping up its efforts to involved members in the political process.
And returning for the 8th straight year was keynote speaker Dr. Rick Gregory, who entertained stewards with yet another folksy and captivating talk to stewards. His mix of true-life stories and embellished tales helped deliver valuable insights into human psychology and other lessons to the stewards in a way few others can. This year's talked emphasized the value of relationships with others and the art of good listening.
The afternoon session was kicked of by Local 1459's legal counsel, Dave Rome, who discussed the nuts and bolts application of contract language to real world circumstances. In light of the recent national media attention given to a South Hadley teenager who committed suicide after suffering from extreme harassment at school, this year's session discussed how contract language could be used to help stop bullying in the workplace.
The afternoon's last speaker was Dr. Elaine Bernard, Executive Director of the Labor and Worklife Program at Harvard University, who talked about how to move a union from putting out fires to "lighting fires" under management and mobilizing members.
Governor Patick and Guy Glodis Make Appearances
 Governor Deval PatrickIt's an election year in the Bay State, and two prominent state politicians, Governor Deval Patrick and Sheriff Guy Glodis turned out to the seminar seeking votes.
Governor Patrick, seeking re-election to his post, stressed how he has successfully balanced the budget and has made many tough, but responsible fiscal decisions during his first term in office. After his remarks, Governor Patrick stayed to shake hands and converse with stewards during lunch.
Sheriff Guy Glodis, who spoke in the morning, focused his remarks on his own background as a union member and steward for SEIU. Sheriff Glodis is running for State Auditor after serving over 5 years as Sheriff in Worcester County and as a State Senator and State Representative before that.
Stewards Honored
Five stewards were honored this year for their dedication to the job and assistance to the staff and leadership of Local 1459. This year's honorees were:
 Kathryn Galarza, Holyoke First Student |
 Thomas Labonte, Springfield DPW |
 Ann Maggio, Springfield School Nurses |
 Cynthia Rhodes, Whitson's |
 Barbara Smith, Holyoke School Cafeteria |
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