Utano Honored by Coalition of Black Trade Unionists

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The NY Chapter of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU), an organization that has advocated for minority empowerment in the labor movement since 1972, honored TWU Local 100 President Tony Utano as it’s “Man of the Year” on Oct. 12, 2018. Utano received the recognition at the 26th Annual James “Jim” Bell Scholarship Awards Dinner, at which a number of college grants are presented to minority students.

In his acceptance remarks, Utano commended the CBTU’s scholarship program for giving the recipients and their families “a real step up in their goal for a college degree.”  He said that high school diplomas no longer are sufficient in today’s job market.  “Young people today need a college education to insure a decent job and a long career.”

In addition to Utano, the CBTU recognized Mary Sullivan, CSEA Executive Vice President; Barbara Edmonds, Director of Field Operations for DC 37; Attorney Tilker Ziegler and City Council member Ritchie Torres.  City Council member Andy King also attended. The event was hosted by Charles Jenkins, President of the NY Chapter CBTU.  Jenkins is also Director of the TWU Local 100-NYCT Training Upgrading Fund.

In the photo: Local 100 President Tony Utano (center left) at CBTU awards dinner with NY Chapter President Charles Jenkins (center right); Local 100 Administrative Vice President Nelson Rivera; Vice Presidents John Chiarello and Derick Echevarria; LES Chair Duvet Williams; Stations Vice Chair Antonio Roldan; Political Director Michele Gilliam; Jesse Mendosa (Local 100 Honor Guard member); City Council member Andy King and Local 100 staffers Sharase Dubois (PAC), and Emmanuella Mathurin (Office of the Recording Secretary).