Union Activist of the Year
Cheri Sanford of IAM Local Lodge 282
The Washington Women in Trades held their 27th awards ceremony, and handed out awards to those that they identified as going above and beyond in their efforts to advance the efforts of Labor and working women. The IAM is extremely pleased to share that one of our own, Ms Cheri Sanford, of Local Lodge 282 in Bremerton Washington, was awarded the prestigious "Union Activist of the Year" award.
Six awards provide acknowledgement and validation for the struggles and successes of women working in the trades. Half of these awards go to apprentices and the rest are offered to individuals nominated by their peers, co-workers, as well as members of their management chain of command. The criterion which establishes these nominees runs the gamut of; professional accomplishments, personal accomplishments, work related items that provide outreach to other tradeswomen and /or girls, community volunteer activities, and any special circumstances she has had to overcome to succeed.
This most prestigious award is awarded to the tradeswoman currently active in her union and working within her trade. The competition is not limited to just the federal sector but to both private and public business throughout the entire state of Washington
It became most apparent to the panel of judges as they read through the stack of possible recipients that one candidate remained in the lead and outdistanced all of the others. As the nomination forms were sifted through Ms. Sanford was declared an immediate and clear winner in this competition as her achievements far exceeded the nearest competitor.
Allow me to share some of those achievements, which have clearly and unmistakably defined what a truly hard working and dedicated Machinist Union Activist is:
In the workplace, Chief Steward Cheri Sanford was instrumental in saving the careers of several federal employees who were dealing with issues of security due to the rigid new restraints set upon the federal sector employees. Her intercession on their behalf and assistance with their response letters resulted in a 100% success rate.
Cheri tirelessly worked with the Apprentice Administrator to successfully re-certify the Apprentice Program at PSNS&IMF for the Montgomery GI Bill tuition program for the veteran students.
Cheri has worked in every phase of Union business this unit has been faced with. She has assisted with numerous committee assignments, aided injured as well as disabled workers with employment needs, special equipment, as well as easement back into the workplace. She has ran the New Employee Orientation’s, and even writes and edits a small informational employee status report with timely tips and items of concern so as to keep the workforce informed and updated on changes to their workplace.
Cheri developed a training plan and trained co-workers on the safe use and operation of the Hand Held Plasma Cutter. Met with the product Reps to solve problems with welding Aluminum and MIG Pulse process. Trained fellow employees, Military as well as Civilian, on the ESAB machine which is a computerized gas and plasma cutting machine.
These are just a few of her many accomplishments and mentoring processes of which Cheri has successfully put into play. In her private life she follows the same path with volunteer work to the schools as a mentor, to the local community with charitable donations of her art, to her friends and neighbors by assisting wherever needed.
The list is endless and goes on and on but I will end it here. I chose to write these words, as I know all to well the efforts and the dedication of Cheri as she and I work side-by-side, day-by-day. Cheri is the prime example of what a Machinist Union member should aspire to be. She not only resets the bar on her activism a notch at a time but also continually strives to perfect her leadership and set forth an example that certainly is admired at this facility. She is not only an inspirational winner of this award but also a true representative of what the Machinist Union Family is all about.
Respectfully and in Solidarity,
John Carter, Chairman IAM&AW Union, LL282
Intermediate Maintenance Facility, Subase Bangor
