Labor Council hosts dinner in memory of workers Sunday

LEWISTON — The Western Maine Labor Council will host its 2017 Workers’ Memorial Day/May Day Dinner on Sunday, April 30, honoring the 22 Maine workers who died on the job in 2016.

Three awards will be given to champions of workers’ rights and workplace safety.

The Bruce Roy Award will be given to honor the memory of Bob Burns of Auburn, a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1837.

The Workers’ Solidarity Award will be given to members of Teamsters Local 340 at Ryder, who were on strike in Lewiston in November 2016.

The Frances Perkins Award will be given to John Patrick of Rumford, former state senator and member of the United Steelworkers Local 900.

The Rev. Jodi Cohen Hayashida, pastor of the First Universalist Church of Auburn, will lead the prayer. The Lewiston Fire Department Honor Guard will present the colors. Sue Mack of Pownal will serve as bagpiper.

Rachel Desgrosseilliers, executive director of Museum L-A, will give a brief presentation accompanied by old photos titled “It Was HARD Work,” about the history of the Lewiston-Auburn mills and the difficult, dangerous conditions under which the workers did their jobs.

The event will take place at The Dolard & Priscilla Gendron Franco Center, 46 Cedar St., from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., with the dinner and program starting at 5:15 p.m.

The public is invited to attend. Tickets are $20 each or $150 for a table of 8. Tickets can be purchased at the door, but all who are interested should RSVP in advance to Elaine Makas at 784-5726 or [email protected] All proceeds to benefit the Western Maine Central Labor Council.