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Looking Back

Last Updated: December, 2010
Each Quarter, Looking Back takes you into the Reflections' archives for a look at the stories making news 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 years ago.

1st Quarter, 1986

Long service members retire

Four long service members have retired recently — three from Local 14-A at Xerox and one from Local 14-B at St. Joe Container. The 14-A retirees are Charles Butera, with 39 years; George Giffi, 43 years; and Ed Short, 44 years. Burke served 29 years at St. Joe.

1st Quarter, 1991

Chairlift added

Tony Costanza

As part of a continous effort to improve services to members, Joint Board manager Anthony “Tony” Costanza announced that a chairlift has been installed on the Merriman Street side of the union hall. “The chairlift will help make all of the services and facilities at our headquarters more accesible to our handicapped members,” the manager emphasized. He also noted that three parking spaces have been added on Merriman Street to further aid in the use of the chairlift entrance.

1st Quarter, 1996

RRJB anniversary

Gary Bonadonna

The Joint Board celebrated its 75th anniversary — and its recent merger with the Ladies Garment Workers to form the new UNITE union. To mark the celebration, Joint Board director Gary Bonadonna gave all 8,500 members a T-shirt with the new UNITE logo on it. The shirt was made by our Local 388-G members at Alleson Athletic Wear in Geneva.

Hillman pharmacist dies

Hillel “Hill” Dubner, 63, one of the Hillman Health Center’s best known figures, died unexpectantly from an aneurysm. He had been a pharmacist at the Health Center since 1981.

1st Quarter, 2001

More free frames added

Mike Kather

An even greater array of free eyeglass frames are now available to patrons of the Hillman Optical Department, manager Mike Kather announced. He noted that the increase in the allowance for free frames means “patrons have an even wider choice of good frames at no charge. These are frames that would retail for $135 or more.” The benefit change was approved by Joint Board manager Gary Bonadonna.
Nick DelVecchio (for photo caption)

Nick DelVecchio dies

Nick DelVecchio, one of the Rochester area’s best known union figures, died recently. His union career began in 1951 when he joined Hickey-Freeman. Over the years, he held numerous union posts, including chairman of the pressing department, chairman of the coat shop, and general shop chairman. In 1968, he was named a business rep and was named assistant manager of the Joint Board in 1985. He retired four years later. In addition, he served as a director of the Hillman Health Center and was also active in the Rochester community, holding key posts in the Rochester Area Labor Council, the Rochester Area Labor-Religion Conference, United Way, and the Wegman Foundation.

1st Quarter, 2006

“Hall of Fame” inductees

The first five inductees have been named for the Joint Board’s newly created “Hall of Fame.” They are Rick Faro and Ed Laughlin, both from Local 14-A;

Rick Faro

Ed Laughlin

Mike Schunk, Local 1067-T; Pranay Shah, Local 14;

Mike Schunk

Pranay Shah

and Shirley “Fran” Sobczak, Local 388-G.

Shirley “Fran” Sobczak

Induction into the Hall is the highest and most prestigious award the Board can give a member. Those selected are members who consistently give unselfish service to the Board and their fellow brothers and sisters.