TO: All CWA Local 1081 Members
FROM: David H. Weiner, President
DATE: June 17, 2010
SUBJECT: “Wear Red Thursdays” Bracelets
CWA Local 1081 Shop Stewards are distributing red rubber bracelets to all of our Union’s members inscribed with our Union’s name to wear upon the wrist at least each Thursday of the week for “Wear Red Thursdays”.
In 1989, CWA Local 1400 along with our Union Brothers and Sisters in New York were on strike. One of the New York members from CWA Local 1103 walking the picket line was Chief Union Steward, E. Gerald Horgan. Twenty-one years ago this August 15th, Gerry Horgan was killed from injuries he sustained when he was run down by a “scab” as he walked a picket line while striking for health care benefits. The driver of the vehicle which killed him was a manager’s daughter acting as a “scab” during the strike. As she approached the picket line, she accidentally accelerated her vehicle and struck Gerry Horgan. He is the only CWA member in our 61-year history to be killed on a picket line. Typical of Gerry Horgan, the picket line he was on was not his own. The Members on another line needed some additional help and asked Gerry to provide that help.
When Gerry was killed he left behind two children, Christine who was 2 & 1/2 and Danielle who was just 7 months. We now wear red Thursdays because it is the day this tragedy occurred and red to symbolize the tragedy itself. We wear red to show our solidarity as Brother and Sisters within the proud and powerful Union that is CWA. We wear red to let the Governor, the State Legislature, the County Executive, the Freeholder Board and the Division of Welfare’s management know that the members of CWA Local 1081 will not fall victim to divide and conquer tactics. We stand together. We stand as one.
Wear your CWA Local 1081 everyday, but especially on “Wear Red Thursdays”!