A Time to Give
By Mike Drake, Vice-President
(GT Unit)
Not everyone is lucky enough to have a job at the Phone
Company. The only difference between most of the homeless and us is about 90
days. At least, that is what my wife says. In my case I think she is probably
right because I am an American and I spend more than I make!
This year,
co-workers at General Telephone showed their generosity in helping those less
fortunate by participating in this year’s United Way Drive in record
numbers. Of the better than 650 employees contacted by the solicitors 55% opted
to contribute a portion of their earnings via payroll deduction.
The
amount designated as the “Fair Share” contribution was 1% of a
person's annual base wage. The amounts ranged from $330.72 (Schedule A) to
$465.09 (Schedule 12). This year over 200 people from our Local could be
counted as "Fair Share" donors. Usually the people who make the least are the
ones who give the most. This year was no different with over 50 "Fair Share"
givers coming from Operator services. Another 75 came from the workers
warehoused in the 'Bolsa Building', which encompasses the BSOC and BRC. The
rest of the "Fair Share" givers were from the various other departments in
Orange County and the Alamitos central office (the lone LA County location in
our jurisdiction).
"Fair Share" donors were given a limited
edition 'T' shirt as thanks for their generous donation. In addition to the
limited edition 'T's, all contributors in amounts over the minimum were
entered into a drawing for a new Ford that was donated from an automobile
dealership in Orange County. The drawing will be held later.
This years
drive was not without its set of roadblocks however! There was the 'crime of
the century' that had to be dealt with. The 200+ limited edition 'T's
for this year's "Fair Share" donors turned up missing. Thanks to the Company
liaison, Jim Konnerth, they were replaced by reordering them. The number of
volunteer solicitors also limited us. I would like to give a sincere thank you
to the people who worked very hard to pull this year's drive off with as few
hitches as possible. They were: Elaine DeVille (Executive Board), Letty
Gutierrez (Executive Board) and shop Stewards Kathé Miller, Leigh
Washington, Sally Kleinschmidt and Judy Gipson who is also a recent contributor
to the Orange Empire News'