Congressional Research Employees Association

 
You may have heard that Willie Price, a fixture at the Library cafeteria for nearly 30 years, was fired last December. I.L. Creations, the current contractor running the cafeteria, accused Willie of failure to follow company policies. Willie was also the shop steward for the cafeteria workers (UNITE HERE union, Local 25).

Willie and her union are seeking her reinstatement and an arbitration hearing is set for June. In the meantime, I.L. Creations has challenged Willie’s application for unemployment, resulting in Willie’s being ineligible for unemployment compensation. She has been delivering newspapers to provide some income. However, she has two children at home, and is badly in need of financial assistance.

In an effort to help, the Library’s AFSCME Local 2910 has established the Willie Price Emergency Fund at the Library of Congress Credit Union. According to AFSCME officials, Library employees have contributed approximately $2000. Most have been individual contributions of $20. Willie has received two installments from the fund, totaling $1500.

On Wednesday, April 15, CREA’s Board of Governors voted to contribute $100 to the Willie Price Emergency Fund.

Please consider contributing as well. You can make a contribution in the following ways.

*go to a credit union teller and say you want to make a contribution to the “Willie Price Emergency Fund.” You may give cash, a check, or have money transferred from your already existing credit union account;

*make a contribution by stopping by the AFSCME 2910 Office (LMG41, x6493, mail stop: 9994);

*send a contribution by mail to “Willie Price Emergency Fund” c/o Saul Schniderman, P.O. Box 5349, Takoma Park, Md. 20912.

Contributions are being accepted from all library staff. Donations will be held in strict confidence and therefore will not be acknowledged. Donations are not tax deductible. Checks may be written to “AFSCME Local 2910/Emergency Fund” and will go directly towards payment of Ms. Price’s bills.