Top Rapid Response Locals Awarded

Top Rapid Response programs from throughout the United States received awards during the 2008 USW International Convention in Las Vegas.  This year, in contrast to Conventions of the past, a new National Award for Innovation was given out to highlight locals that showed particular creativity or forward-thinking in their Rapid Response efforts.  The following are the award recipients:

Top District

District 9
Stan Johnson, Director

Top Local

Local 878L - District 9
Union City, Tennessee
Harry Alford, President
Mike McKenzie, Rapid Response Coordinator

Innovation Awards

Local 7248 - District 1
Bryan, Ohio
Mike Harrington, President
Ron Hoover, Rapid Response Coordinator
Amber Miller, Assistant Rapid Response Coordinator

In order to increase education among their membership, Local 7248 worked to get their company to invest in a series of mini-education seminars.  These seminars take place on the plant site, and both hourly and salary workers take part.  The topics address Rapid Response issues and are helping to spark activism; the local tripled their participation level in an action last spring. 

Local 261 - District 4
Bucksport, Maine
Donald McLaughlin, President
Dan Lawson, Rapid Response Coordinator

Local 261 captures the attention of their lawmakers, community members and press through fun and engaging street-theater and other creative demonstrations on Rapid Response issues and actions.  

Local 715 - District 7
Woodburn, Indiana
Eric "Chopper" Betts, President
Charlie Odier, Rapid Response Coordinator

Local 715 spends a great deal of time taking Rapid Response issues into their community, staffing booths and having a presence at fairs, community celebrations and other events.  Through this activity and the activity at their local, they are helping to increase awareness of USW issues and engaging more people in the fight.

Congressional District Coordinator Initiative - District 10
Throughout Pennsylvania

The Rapid Response program in District 10 has undergone a dramatic transformation thanks to the work of a group of local union members who have volunteered to serve as Congressional District (CD)Coordinators.  In these roles, local union members are responsible for reaching out to other locals in their CD to raise participation and increase the connection between members and their elected officials.  The men and women serving as CD Coordinators have developed into leaders in their USW District, and action participation rates have soared.

Top District(s) on the Employee Free Choice Petition Action

USW Districts 9 and 10 both received the award due to each district having 100 percent of locals participating.