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| Ohio State Council of Machinists (OSCM) President T. Dean Wright, left, swears in new council members Mary Ellen Napier, center, and Phil Baker, right. Napier became the first woman to serve on the board, while Baker became the first African American. |
IAM Local 1471 Secretary-Treasurer Mary Ellen Napier has become the first woman to serve on the board of the Ohio State Council of Machinists (OSCM), announced OSCM President T. Dean Wright, Jr.
“The experience and dedication of Sister Mary will be extremely valuable to the Executive Board and will provide vital benefits to our membership,” said Wright, who made the announcement after the Executive Board’s meeting on February 9 in Columbus, OH. “As we continue to improve our union to meet the present needs, our leadership must reflect the members we currently represent.”
Napier began her career with the IAM in 1976 while working at Jeffrey Mining in Columbus. In 1989 she started working for Core Molding in Columbus. In 2011 she was appointed as District 54 Educator.
In addition to her role as various roles, Napier serves on Human Rights and Women’s committees.
“I’m ready to get to work for Ohio’s working families,” said Napier. “This new opportunity affords me the ability to stand for, and take part in developing civil rights, human rights, and labor rights in our communities across the state in a very important election year. Anti-working family, and other anti-union agendas, such as RTW (for less) are still a threat in our great state.”
Wright also appointed the first African American, Local 1741 Vice President Phil Baker, to serve as the OSCM Sgt. at Arms. Baker, who is also employed at Core Molding in Columbus, is a 27-year member, longtime Shop Steward, and an active member on the organizing and legislative committees.
“Brother Baker brings decades of commitment and service to working men and women in Ohio,” continued Wright. “I look forward to his new role working with the council in the years to come.”
