About 150 members and guests
enjoyed a gala to mark the 50th anniversary of the American Museum
of Natural History Local 1306. The local hosted the gathering April
26 in the museums Hall of the Northwest Coast, one of the institutions
oldest exhibit areas.
Local 1306 was founded in April 1953. It represents Museum Attendant
Guards, who do security and custodial work. It was a time to
reflect upon the gains our members have made over half a century,
and everyone who attended had a good time, Local 1306 President
Luis Moret said, describing the celebration, which included dancing
and dinner.
At the event, Local 1306 honored former presidents Robert Halloran
and Reggie Qadar and presented awards to members with over 20 years
of service. Treasurer Robert Saunders, who organized the event with
Mr. Moret, served as the master of ceremonies and Local 1306 member
Nelson Roman was the evenings DJ. Mr. Moret, Sherwyn Britton,
director of the DC 37 White Collar Division, and Moira Dolan, an assistant
director in the DC 37 Research and Negotiations Dept. gave welcoming
remarks.
Guests included Gloria E. Acevedo, president of Local 436, the United
Federation of Nurses and Epidemiologists; Melvin Bentley, president
of Brooklyn Museum Local 1502; Robert Schirmer, president of Metropolitan
Museum of Art Local 1503 and Madonna Knight, the locals rep.
Management guests were Tom Slade, director of security; Don Boyle,
associate director; and Barbara Gunn, vice president.
In 1971, Local 1306 and American Museum of Natural History Local 1559,
which represents technical and professional workers, reached an agreement
with the museum to recognize DC 37s first union shop in New
York City. Under union shop provisions, workers must join the union
that represents their job titles. The agreement served as a pattern
for DC 37 locals at other cultural institutions.