Local 897 for its Members and the Community...
The loyalty that was created by the different functions of the union also created a powerful bond. The importance of collective bargaining gains, health and safety improvements and the dignity and respectfor workers won by the union cannot be underestimated. Although overtime interfered with union activities, the overtime was mostly welcomed. Activities were scheduled to serve the memberships needs. By meeting the needs both economically and socially , Local 897 could tie its membership to their union and the union cause. The union also reached out to the member’s families with picnics, annual Christmas parties and scholarship funds for college bound students.
The Retiree Chapter started in 1958 with John Mostert accepting the assignment. It took until 1967 to receive a charter. It was the first Retiree Charter in WNY. It was and still remains a social network thatmaintains the ties between retirees and the work of the union. As the retiree’s chapter grew, their importance affected the structure of Local 897. This established the need of a benefits representatives to handle the retirees’ needs.
Local 897 moved into its first union hall in January of 1963. In April of 1973 new ground was broke for our present union office. It was also home to the Woodlawn Federal Credit Union for a brief time. That had to change location when it also opened up membership to salary workers.
The hall was used for many charity events. Roughly $8-10 million had been contributed through our local and its members. For years the doors were opened to the community, especially Children’s Hospital Variety Club Telethon. There are so many contributions that cannot be measured in dollars that the local has given to the community. The union members still spread joy to children and the less fortunate everyday. Their involvement with the community has been with at least 50 different organizations over the years.
The UAW directed its beliefs in political actions in what is now know as CAP, Community Action Program. Bill Adams served as our first president of the WNY CAP Council. Cap has focused on Civil Rights and other political reform.