Public Employee Press

Local 375 celebrates Eastern­European heritage

Local 375 celebrated the Eastern European heritage of many members at its June 21 delegates meeting. Delegates enjoyed a tasty meal of Eastern European dishes, a talk about the Chernobyl nuclear reactor disaster by retiree Donald Hoffman, and presentations by Russian musician Mickhal Shalshin and the Obrij Ukrainian Folk Dance Ensemble, which performed dances of the Carpathian Mountains.

The event marked the fifth year in which the committee has organized the celebration. Local President Claude Fort spoke about the contributions of Eastern European immigrants to the United States and their influence in the U.S. labor movement.

Vincent Sawinski chairs the local’s Eastern European Heritage Committee, Retiree Alex Malzler is co-chair, and other members include Hoffman, Nora Nechay, Jack Piskozub, Vladimir Opendik, Bella Gurfgl and George Franz.