Newsmakers

CWA Representative Jack Dotson, 57, has retired. In the late 1970s, he helped found the Virginia CWA Council, one of the union's first state councils, active on behalf of numerous labor-friendly candidates for public office and in raising thousands of dollars in contributions to CWA-COPE. Dotson worked for C&P Telephone Co. in Falls Church, Va., as a central office repairman from November 1965, rising to vice president of Local 2323. He worked on several political campaigns, lobbied the state legislature and chaired the local's public relations committee. In May 1975, he became its full-time president. After five months as temporary staff helping with C&P negotiations, he became a CWA representative in November 1977. He served in the District 2 Richmond office until his retirement March 31. For a time president of the of the Virginia AFL-CIO, Dotson said, "When I went to conventions, I'd always hear people talk about how great CWA is. But when you work with other unions, you really know we're one of the best in the country."

CWA Chief Lobbyist Lou Gerber has been honored for 25 years of work with the Food Research and Action Center, dedicated to combating child hunger. Gerber learned of FRAC's efforts in 1979 while working on a legislative issue that came before the House Agriculture Committee. Over the years, he has helped FRAC on the Hill and enlisted the aid of the major telecommunications companies where CWA members work. "The fact that both management and labor in the telecommunications sector are working together to ensure that the voices of the hungry are heard on Capitol Hill is the most gratifying aspect of my work with FRAC," Gerber said when presented the award of special recognition in June. According to the Department of Agriculture, 35 million Americans, 13 million of them children, live in households that suffer from hunger or live on the very edge of hunger. FRAC President Jim Weill said Gerber "cares deeply about this issue" and deserved to be honored for his commitment. "He's been a great friend of FRAC for a long time," Weill said.

CWA Representative Charles Sangmeister, 61, has retired. After four years in the Air Force, Sangmeister joined AT&T Long Lines in Philadelphia in December 1964 as a communications craftsman. He served CWA Local 2552 as a steward, secretary-treasurer, vice president and strike director, and chaired the local's education, bylaws and legislative committees. He joined the staff as a CWA representative in District 2 in January 1975, serving in the Washington, D.C, and Rockville, Md., Offices. He worked in the Communications & Technologies office at CWA headquarters from December 1992, then transferred to the District 1 Avenel, N.J. office in September 1997.

The Community Service Agency of the AFL-CIO's Metropolitan Washington Council has recognized three CWA activists for their volunteer work. Local 2336 Secretary-Treasurer Brenda Savoy was recognized for her years of service to programs that include the Labor-2-Youth Advisory Board, food drives, and holiday basket projects. CWA Representative Janine Brown was recognized for successful CWA employee United Way drives, and generating contributions for striking workers. Local 2108 President Bob Campbell was awarded the "J.C. Turner Award for Outstanding Trade Unionist of the Year" for his dedication to the agency, his service to the council as a board member and his leadership in mobilization, picket lines and legislative and political activities.