Albert Martinez, of the Carpenters Union Local 405, bowls at the COPE annual fundraiser
May 24, 2013
A sell-out crowd enjoyed food, drinks, good company and bowling Thursday night at the
annual COPE Bowling for Change event. The fundraiser was held as usual at the 4th Street Bowl in San Jose. Unionmembers,
elected officials and community leaders gathered to support the Labor Council's efforts to improve the quality of life for
working families in Santa Clara and San Benito Counties.
"It was a great event, and we're fortunate to have so many dedicated supporters in the labor movement,"
said Ben Field, Executive Officer of the Labor Council.
Six individuals were honored for their contributions to improving the lives of working families: Carole Leigh Hutton, of United
Way Sillicon Valley, Clark Williams, former Vice Chair of the Santa Clara County Democratic Party, Scott Myers Lipton and
Cafe J of San Jose State University, Jo Kenny, a non-profit consultant and human rights activist, Tom Cochran, a banker
and social justice activist, and Matt Savage, a member of of UFCW Local 5.
White-Collar Workers Are Turning to Labor Unions
National Union of Healthcare Workers (NUHW) strike in 2011
May 22, 2013 By ALANA SEMUELS - Los Angeles Times
The next wave of union protesters isn't blue collar. It's lawyers, paralegals, secretaries,
helicopter pilots, judges, insurance agents and podiatrists. These white-collar workers are not exactly the picture of the
labor movement, but they are becoming a more essential part of it as they turn to unions for help in a tough
economy as bosses try to squeeze out more profits.
"Employers have been downsizing, asking employees to take on larger roles, making them work more hours," said Nicole
Korkolis, spokeswoman for the Office and Professional Employees International Union.
"People are feeling like they need an advocate."
Members of UAW Local 2320 in New York, nearly half of whom are lawyers, voted to strike this month,
after their employer, Legal Services NYC, pushed for cuts to benefits in a recent contract negotiation. Many of them had
never been involved with labor unions before, but they said decisions by management led them to take the
drastic action of voting to strike.
