Unionism is the autobiographical work of Sooren Apkarian, a Detroit steelworker and union member. Sooren’s first connection to unions was in the Merchant Marines, where he witnessed the... More > ship’s Purser trying to cheat workers out of their hard earned wages. A more experienced member of the Seafarers International Union who was working alongside the novice sailors spoke to defend their rights. In 1947 Sooren joined the Detroit Steel Corporation. His experience in the Merchant Marines led him to join the United Steelworkers of America; eventually becoming the President of the Local Union.
In response to the company’s efforts to shortchange its employees, Sooren turned the company on its head by filing hard hitting grievances, surprising the management who were used to grievances placed by inexperienced employees. This proved to Sooren that education was the key to Union progress. It took the Unions 25-35 years before they realized this and forced industry pay them more respect.< Less
Unionism is the autobiographical work of Sooren Apkarian, a Detroit steelworker and union member. Sooren’s first connection to unions was in the Merchant Marines, where he witnessed the... More > ship’s Purser trying to cheat workers out of their hard earned wages. A more experienced member of the Seafarers International Union who was working alongside the novice sailors spoke to defend their rights. In 1947 Sooren joined the Detroit Steel Corporation. His experience in the Merchant Marines led him to join the United Steelworkers of America; eventually becoming the President of the Local Union.
In response to the company’s efforts to shortchange its employees, Sooren turned the company on its head by filing hard hitting grievances, surprising the management who were used to grievances placed by inexperienced employees. This proved to Sooren that education was the key to Union progress. It took the Unions 25-35 years before they realized this and forced industry pay them more respect.< Less
When Parker Quinn left Wall Street in search of a simpler life, he didn't expect to become the central figure in a war between the Justice Department, the mob, a notorious labor union not get swept... More > up in crime, corruption and murder. Quinn is sought out by the mob to testify against the union's leader who has become mob liability. Accepting his assignment makes Quinn and everyone around him a target. He makes powerful, dangerous and humorous friends who all come to his aid when he and his new love land in the hospital as a result of a murder attempt.
This is a fast paced look inside an interesting and dangerous life.< Less
The American Civil War did not end at Appomattox with Generals Grant and Lee. It ended in a small farmhouse outside Durham, North Carolina with Generals Sherman and Johnston. The SHERMAN QUARTET is a... More > rich saga of the last four winter months of that war and the people who survived it or died trying.< Less
He arrived safely and let out a sigh of relief. He then combed his hair using the rearview mirror, gathered his things and got out of the car – that was the last thing he remembered. When he... More > woke up he noticed that he was out surrounded by many trees. He was hugging one tree, forced to hug it since his arms were encircling it and it was tied up and hung up one strong branch – he could not fall down even if he wanted to, he would just be hanging and end up injuring himself.
He tilted his head to the right to see to his front, to see if there was something he would have recognized – nothing. He did the same but over to his left and saw just one sort of picket sign that was right where his vision fell – “This is what you get for ratting us out” it read. Panic seized him and he was overcame with fear. He knew most of those men had shady backgrounds, especially those from the production line. It was not a good feeling to be out in the woods thinking about those people!< Less
Have you ever wondered exactly what it is that the European Union does for you? If so, this booklet provides the answer with a brief glimpse at a few of the tangible steps the EU has taken in 2010 to... More > make life better and easier. Sometimes it is in finding simple everyday solutions, such as persuading mobile phone makers to switch to a standard form of charger. Sometimes it is European laws that give citizens new rights. Sometimes it is battling against continental and global forces to maintain the EU’s economic equilibrium and generate jobs. And sometimes it is in helping to restore hope to people suffering natural or man-made disasters, in Europe and beyond. But in every case, the EU is acting to create a Europe in line with the responsibility taken on by its founders to work in the interests of ‘the peoples of Europe’.
Everything we do is for the citizens of Europe.
The EU will continue to place people’s concerns on the political agenda.< Less
A one of a kind look at our corner of the world. Touching memories, tales of history, community connections and quirky anecdotes — all from Times Union readers and staff.
A one of a kind look at our corner of the world. Touching memories, tales of history, community connections and quirky anecdotes — all from Times Union readers and staff.
