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Community group honors Claude Fort

A nonprofit educational group has honored Local 375 President Claude Fort for his contributions to the labor movement.

The You Can Go to College Committee presented its Labor Union Award to Fort Nov. 10 at its 11th annual achievement awards luncheon.

At the lunch, Fort also received letters of commendation and citations from New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer, U.S. Congress member Gregory Meeks, state Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith, state Assembly member William Scarborough, City Council Deputy Majority Leader Leroy Comrie and Queens Borough President Helen Marshall.

The award praises Fort for his dedication to union members as president of the Civil Service Technical Guild since he was elected in 2001.

“During his two terms, he fought relentlessly against privatization of City jobs, for better working conditions for his members and won many major battles against contracting-out,” the award states.

The You Can Go To College Committee is a non-profit group affiliated with the First Faith Baptist Church in Cambria Heights, Queens. It helps high school students by sponsoring financial aid workshops, internships, test preparation courses and scholarships.

Highway Transportation Specialist Dorita Clarke, who is secretary of Local 375’s Dept. of Transportation Chapter, is executive director of the You Can Go To College Committee.

State Sen. Eric Adams and NY1’s “Inside City Hall” host Dominic Carter were among the other community leaders honored with Fort.