LA Labor Supports Efforts to Name High Schools after Miguel Contreras and Congressman Ed Roybal
Labor Desk
March 22, 2006
(Los Angeles) – Delegates to the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO voted unanimously Monday night to support efforts to name Central High School # 10 after the late Executive Secretary-Treasurer Miguel Contreras. A similar resolution was also approved to name East Los Angeles High School #1 after the late Congressman Edward Roybal.
As part of it’s efforts to encourage the naming of school site #10 after Contreras and site #1 after Roybal, the Los County Federation of Labor has started a letter writing campaign. Through the campaign, they are encouraging union members and the public to write letters to the members of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Board of Education urging them to support such measures.
Very few dedicate their entire lives to serving working men and women who need it the most, said John Connolly, National President of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. “Miguel and Congressman Roybal were some of those few, therefore it’s fitting that these school sites be named after these great men.”
Contreras began his career in the labor movement at the tender age of 17 in Dinuba, California where he and his family became United Farm Worker (UFW) activists after laboring in the fields for years. Due to his strong leadership skills and natural organizing ability, he caught the eye of UFW founder Cesar Chavez, who asked Contreras to join his union staff - eventually leading him to become a union negotiator. During the years, Contreras moved up the ranks, becoming International Trustee of H.E.R.E. Local 11 in Los Angeles, and eventually the first Latino Executive Secretary -Treasurer of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO. It was under his leadership, that the federation eventually became one of the strongest and politically effective in the country.
Miguel had a contagious type of passion for the issues affecting working families in Los Angeles, and throughout the country” said Marvin Kropke, Business Manager for IBEW Local 11. “He had a special way of motivating people to fight for what was right for workers. Whether it was making sure they received living wages or health care, Miguel was there motivating people to care. It would be all too fitting to name Los Angeles High School #10 after a man who did so much for the working families of Los Angeles.”
Congressman Roybal began his career serving the residents of Los Angeles in 1949 when he was elected to the Los Angeles City Council. During his tenure on the council, he gained attention for his vote against the Subversive Registration Bill, which required a written oath as a measure of loyalty for employment purposes. In 1962, Congressman Roybal was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, becoming the first Latino to be elected from California since 1879.
On Tuesday, March 28th the LAUSD is expected to decide on a date for when they will take this matter up for vote.
As part of it’s efforts to encourage the naming of school site #10 after Contreras and site #1 after Roybal, the Los County Federation of Labor has started a letter writing campaign. Through the campaign, they are encouraging union members and the public to write letters to the members of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Board of Education urging them to support such measures.
Very few dedicate their entire lives to serving working men and women who need it the most, said John Connolly, National President of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. “Miguel and Congressman Roybal were some of those few, therefore it’s fitting that these school sites be named after these great men.”
Contreras began his career in the labor movement at the tender age of 17 in Dinuba, California where he and his family became United Farm Worker (UFW) activists after laboring in the fields for years. Due to his strong leadership skills and natural organizing ability, he caught the eye of UFW founder Cesar Chavez, who asked Contreras to join his union staff - eventually leading him to become a union negotiator. During the years, Contreras moved up the ranks, becoming International Trustee of H.E.R.E. Local 11 in Los Angeles, and eventually the first Latino Executive Secretary -Treasurer of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO. It was under his leadership, that the federation eventually became one of the strongest and politically effective in the country.
Miguel had a contagious type of passion for the issues affecting working families in Los Angeles, and throughout the country” said Marvin Kropke, Business Manager for IBEW Local 11. “He had a special way of motivating people to fight for what was right for workers. Whether it was making sure they received living wages or health care, Miguel was there motivating people to care. It would be all too fitting to name Los Angeles High School #10 after a man who did so much for the working families of Los Angeles.”
Congressman Roybal began his career serving the residents of Los Angeles in 1949 when he was elected to the Los Angeles City Council. During his tenure on the council, he gained attention for his vote against the Subversive Registration Bill, which required a written oath as a measure of loyalty for employment purposes. In 1962, Congressman Roybal was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, becoming the first Latino to be elected from California since 1879.
On Tuesday, March 28th the LAUSD is expected to decide on a date for when they will take this matter up for vote.
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