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Labor Mourns Louisville Striker Michelle Rodgers
The tragic death of Kjeston Michelle Rodgers, struck by a police car while picketing the GE Appliance plant in Louisville, Ky., saddened the entire labor movement.
"We will remember with great pride the courage of this woman who fought to improve the future for all working families trying to afford decent health care," said AFL-CIO President John Sweeney, offering condolences to Rodgers' family and union brothers and sisters.
IUE-CWA Division President Ed Fire, GE Conference Board Chairman Art Smith and about 150 Local 83761 members attended a memorial service for Rodgers on Jan. 15 at the local's union hall.
"We will never forget our sister Michelle, who died so tragically while taking a stand for all working men and women," Fire said.
IUE-CWA District 7 President Mike Bindas also sent condolences to the local, though he could not be present because of a family medical emergency.
"There was not a dry eye in the place," local President Randy Payton said of the service. He described Rodgers as "a dedicated union person who felt very strongly about what she believed in."
She enthusiastically signed up for picket duty for both days that the workers went out. "Michelle's dad was a Teamster," Payton said, "so they understood that from time to time you have to strike and take a stand."
Rodgers, 40, had been an assembler in the dishwasher department of the Louisville plant. She had worked there since 1994.
According to Louisville Courier-Journal reports, she put on a long black leather coat shortly before midnight Jan. 13, kissed her three daughters goodbye and headed out to picket duty.
Shortly before 5 a.m. she carried her picket sign along a dark stretch of road outside the plant. Family members said she was trying to cross the street to her parked car. She was struck by a Hollow Creek police cruiser driving south along Fegenbush Lane and died of her injuries at the scene.
Witnesses said the cruiser, driven by police officer Roy Truax, did not appear to be speeding. The cause of the accident is under investigation by the Louisville Metro Police.
Rodgers is survived by daughters, Amanda, 19, Olivia, 13, and Holly, 11; her daughters' father, Lenny Rodgers; her parents, Norve and Pauline Moore; a brother, Michael Moore; and grandmother Dorothy Cooksey.
The CWA Executive Board issued a statement urging members to contribute to a national fund established for the benefit of Rodgers' children. "Our deepest sympathies go out to these children and to the other family members she leaves behind. Michelle's memory forever will live in our hearts," the board said.
Rodgers Benefit Fund
Locals and individuals wishing to assist Rodgers' daughters should make checks payable to: IUE-CWA fbo Rodgers Children Benefit Funds and send them to CWA Headquarters, 501 3rd Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20001, attn: Janine Brown.
"We will remember with great pride the courage of this woman who fought to improve the future for all working families trying to afford decent health care," said AFL-CIO President John Sweeney, offering condolences to Rodgers' family and union brothers and sisters.
IUE-CWA Division President Ed Fire, GE Conference Board Chairman Art Smith and about 150 Local 83761 members attended a memorial service for Rodgers on Jan. 15 at the local's union hall.
"We will never forget our sister Michelle, who died so tragically while taking a stand for all working men and women," Fire said.
IUE-CWA District 7 President Mike Bindas also sent condolences to the local, though he could not be present because of a family medical emergency.
"There was not a dry eye in the place," local President Randy Payton said of the service. He described Rodgers as "a dedicated union person who felt very strongly about what she believed in."
She enthusiastically signed up for picket duty for both days that the workers went out. "Michelle's dad was a Teamster," Payton said, "so they understood that from time to time you have to strike and take a stand."
Rodgers, 40, had been an assembler in the dishwasher department of the Louisville plant. She had worked there since 1994.
According to Louisville Courier-Journal reports, she put on a long black leather coat shortly before midnight Jan. 13, kissed her three daughters goodbye and headed out to picket duty.
Shortly before 5 a.m. she carried her picket sign along a dark stretch of road outside the plant. Family members said she was trying to cross the street to her parked car. She was struck by a Hollow Creek police cruiser driving south along Fegenbush Lane and died of her injuries at the scene.
Witnesses said the cruiser, driven by police officer Roy Truax, did not appear to be speeding. The cause of the accident is under investigation by the Louisville Metro Police.
Rodgers is survived by daughters, Amanda, 19, Olivia, 13, and Holly, 11; her daughters' father, Lenny Rodgers; her parents, Norve and Pauline Moore; a brother, Michael Moore; and grandmother Dorothy Cooksey.
The CWA Executive Board issued a statement urging members to contribute to a national fund established for the benefit of Rodgers' children. "Our deepest sympathies go out to these children and to the other family members she leaves behind. Michelle's memory forever will live in our hearts," the board said.
Rodgers Benefit Fund
Locals and individuals wishing to assist Rodgers' daughters should make checks payable to: IUE-CWA fbo Rodgers Children Benefit Funds and send them to CWA Headquarters, 501 3rd Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20001, attn: Janine Brown.