President's Report

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June 2008

Two generations, One Deep Commitment

Since this year began, the staff and membership of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1500 have suffered two very sad losses. One is the untimely and sudden passing of Vice President and Union Representative Bernadette Warren. The other being the passing of retired Local 1500 Vice President and Union Representative John Troccoli, Sr. Both individuals were life-long friends of our Union, the staff of Local 1500 and the labor movement as a whole.

While Bernadette and John’s service to this Union was separated by a generation, they both did their job with the same commitment to the members. They represented their members in grievance meetings and during negotiations with a profound understanding of the impact the outcomes would have on their members’ lives. They approached each situation with passion, reason and without any biases. They knew when members needed a caring ear and when they had to be told that they must change their ways if they were to continue working in the stores.

As well as being part the Local 1500 family, they both had their own families. Bernadette Warren leaves behind three children. John Troccoli, Sr., while being 90 years of age at his passing and a widower, leaves three grown children and several grandchildren. My good friend, John Troccoli, Jr. works for UFCW Local 1245 as its Secretary Treasurer, proudly carrying on his father’s legacy. Both were deeply committed to their families. Like so many of us working in retail food, they missed many family events due to work. But each family, respectively, understood their parents’ responsibilities and while there was disappointment at missed events, there was respect for their principles. Still, both Bernadette and John Sr. raised children with the same values that guided them at work and in life.

While we as a Union move forward into the future, we must continue to build on the foundations set by people like Bernadette Warren, John Troccoli Sr., and the countless members of Local 1500 who are no longer with us. We must always be grateful for their dedication to this Union and to its members. We must pause as we journey down this long road of life and remember that our Union is where it is today because of those who came before us.

Abraham Lincoln once said, "The strongest bond of human sympathy outside the family relation should be one uniting working people…..” Thank you to Bernadette Warren, John Troccoli Sr. and all those past Local 1500 staff and members who lived with that understanding. Our Union is better off today because of you and will march into the future remembering your dedication and commitment.

In the early 1970’s, I had the opportunity to work with John Troccoli and it was indeed an honor to be taught by such a well respected man. He was a good friend and I will miss him.