Local 853 Member Honored

On May 13, Local 853 member Bob Sale was presented with one of two 2004 Committee on Political Education (COPE) Awards by the Alameda County Central Labor Council. By day, Bob works at Pennzoil in Alameda, and has been a Teamster for 15 years. But when election time comes around, there is rarely an evening that you won’t find Bob at the phone bank—calling union members and working to deliver votes for union-endorsed candidates and causes. “We first met Bob on the Prop. 226 campaign, back in 1996,” says Central Labor Council Secretary-Treasurer Judy Goff. “He came to the phone bank every night—always with a smile.”

With every election since, Goff says it’s not a regular night if Bob isn’t there at his favorite seat. “We thank Bob for spreading labor’s word to get out the vote,” Goff said. “We have to admire Bob’s persistence, determination and dedication,” adds CLC Political Director Sharon Cornu. “He talks to people until they promise to vote his way.” In accepting his award, Bob was almost speechless. “I’m just a working stiff,” he said. “It feels good to volunteer.”

In addition to the COPE award, Bob also went home with framed resolutions from the Mayor of Alameda, and the California State Senate and Assembly. Also honored at the dinner at Hs. Lordships in Berkeley was Jim Dupont, President of the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees Local Union 2850 who was named Unionist of the Year and Andrea Gorman from Machinists Local 1584 who received the other 2004 COPE Award.