John F. Kennedy Jr. was the Democratic presidential candidate in 1960 when my husband, Christopher Lindley and I arrived in Rochester, he to the U of R, and I to be employed prepping Amalgamated Clothing Workers for the literacy eligibility test to vote. We met President Abe Chapman due to our mutual support for JFK. He wanted all of his workers, many from Italy, to be able to vote so I would visit the clothing plants at lunch or during breaks and we would review American history. The sessions were voluntary and we all celebrated when the test was finally passed. I also helped with the union’s phone banks which Abe took an active interest in too, occasionally correcting my responses.
The Union Hall at 750 East Avenue is currently closed to members but services are available including curb-side prescriptions and some optical appointments . Please see our latest announcement.
Americans' approval of labor unions has been consistently high for several years and has more than recovered from low points around the Great Recession. Even as the U.S. grapples with the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting economic crisis, which includes record-high unemployment, support for unions remains strong.
