| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 29, 2001 |
Contact: Anne Green at the ICWUC, 330-867-2444 |
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Frank Martino, President of the International Chemical Workers Union Council of the UFCW, Retires On June 30, 2001, Frank D. Martino, President of the International Chemical Workers Council (ICWCU) of the UFCW, will retire following more than 50 years of distinguished service to working families and the labor movement. Frank has been fighting to improve working conditions for chemical workers since his first union experience in 1948 when he joined the International Chemical Workers Union Local 61. He served as the local's president from 1951 to 1956. His Local 61 Presidency was only the beginning of a long career as a worker advocate. Frank maintained a steadfast commitment to working family political action throughout his 50 year career, spearheading many innovative grassroots mobilization programs that helped keep working people's voices heard in Washington and across the country. Martino became the President of the International Chemical Workers Union in 1975. One of his most enduring legacies to chemical workers is his focus on worker health and safety during his tenure as President. In 1987, the ICWU created the Center for Worker Health and Safety Education in Cincinnati, Ohio. At this state-of-the-art facility, UFCW members as well as members of other unions receive hands-on training in handling hazardous chemicals. Over the years, the Center has received millions of dollars in grants from OSHA, the U.S. Department of Energy, New York State, the National Cancer Institute, and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. The ICWU voted to merge with the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) in 1996 and since that time, Martino has served as President of the UFCW's International Chemical Workers Council. Upon Martino's retirement, the current Secretary-Treasurer, Larry Gregoire, becomes Acting President until a General Board meeting is called within 30 to 90 days. "Frank's vision and leadership will be missed by all members of the UFCW, especially our members in the chemical industry. His dedication to improving the lives of working men and women has set a standard of excellence for all union leaders to live up to," said Doug Dority, UFCW International President. For more information log on to www.icwuc.org |
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