Category: Scrapbook

Cheers Surround 965 Contingent at Pride Parade

Once again, NWA Equality hosted a few thousand to strut down Fayetteville’s Dickson Street through many thousands of cheering spectators Saturday, June 24, 2023, for the city’s 19th annual Pride Parade. Among the units was UA-Fayetteville Education Association / Local 965.

Wearing the 965 black-on-red logo Ts and carrying our banner were President Hershel Hartford, Vice President Ben Pollock, Past President Bret Schulte, Treasurer Matt Stanley and former board member Ted Swedenburg. Other 965 members paraded with other groups. For the Trans March the evening before, June 23, former board member Chad Kieffer helped walk our banner along its route, up Block Street.

Local 965 President Hershel Hartford appears to address his troops Matt Stanley, Bret Schulte, Ted Swedenburg and Ben Pollock as they flow into the 19th annual NWA Pride Parade June 24, 2023.
University of Arkansas workers Matt Stanley, Bret Schulte, Ted Swedenburg and Ben Pollock represent their Local 965 June 24, 2023, in the 19th annual NWA Pride Parade.

The June 24 Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette published a narrative, “Diversity, Expression Celebrated: 19th Annual Pride Festival and Parade Draw Thousands of People” (alternate link). The Fayetteville Flyer published photo galleries at “Fayetteville’s Dickson Street Alive with Pride as Thousands Join Annual Parade” and earlier “Trans March Kicks off Pride Weekend in Fayetteville.”

Local 965 again was part of a collective of UA groups marching in Saturday’s parade together. They comprise “student organizations, departments, divisions, and groups from across campus. … [Per UA System] Board policy, this is not the University of Arkansas marching, but units from within the institution participating.” Anthony DiNicola, the inclusion liaison/ coordinator of cultural communities for UA’s Center for Multicultural and Diversity Education, again skillfully led its planning and execution.

University of Arkansas workers Matt Stanley, Bret Schulte, Ted Swedenburg and Ben Pollock are in full parade mode for their Local 965 in the 19th annual NWA Pride Parade on June 24, 2023.
Local 965 Vice President Ben Pollock, President Hershel Hartford and Past President Bret Schulte enjoy the shade as paraders line up June 24, 2023, for the 19th annual NWA Pride Parade.

For video news reports, local TV stations reported on the parade June 24-25:

Local 965 President Hershel Hartford and Vice President Ben Pollock line up for the June 23, 2025 NWA Trans March. Photo by Chad Kieffer
Local 965 President Hershel Hartford (left) and Vice President Ben Pollock line up for the June 23, 2025 NWA Trans March. Photo by Chad Kieffer
Former Local 965 board member Chad Kieffer frames a selfie with Vice President Ben Pollock and Local 965 President Hershel Hartford as they set up for the June 23, 2025 NWA Trans March.
Former Local 965 board member Chad Kieffer frames a selfie with Vice President Ben Pollock (center) and Local 965 President Hershel Hartford as they set up for the June 23, 2025 NWA Trans March.

2023 Campus Picnic for Staff a Success

Some 1,200 professional support staff of the University of Arkansas had lunch May 17 on the Staff Senate at its 2023 Staff Appreciation Picnic, according to counts by the senate and Chartwells food service, which hosted the meal.

Local 965 President Hershel Hartford talks with a University of Arkansas employee at the May 17, 2023, University of Arkansas Staff Appreciation Picnic at the 1021 Food Hall.
Liz Piccone, interim executive director of the Arkansas Education Association, talks May 17, 2023, with Local 965 President Hershel Hartford at the University of Arkansas Staff Appreciation Picnic at the 1021 Food Hall.
Local 965 logo Ts are displayed at the 2023 University of Arkansas Staff Appreciation Picnic, May 17 at the 1021 Food Hall.
AEA UniServ liaison Renee Johnson talks with UA IT staff member Stephen Ritterbush at the May 17, 2023, University of Arkansas Staff Appreciation Picnic at the 1021 Food Hall.

Click on any image to start a slideshow. Then click on the “i” at bottom right for complete captions.

A number of those picnickers stopped for brochures and conversation at the information booth of UA-Fayetteville Education Association / Local 965. They met local leaders as well as officials of the Arkansas Education Association, held this year at the 1021 Food Hall (formerly Brough Commons).

Our volunteers to greet UA employees included, from Local 965, President Hershel Hartford, Past President Bret Schulte, and Secretary Kasey Walker; and from AEA, President Carol Fleming, interim AEA Executive Director Liz Piccone, Aspiring Ed and ESP organizer Kelly Givens, and UniServ Liaison Renee Johnson.

AEA Aspiring Ed and ESP organizer Kelly Givens; AEA UniServ Rep Renee Johnson; 965 Past President Bret Schulte; interim AEA Executive Director Liz Piccone; 965 Secretary Kasey Walker; AEA President Carol Fleming; and 965 President Hershel Hartford. They ran the booth of the Arkansas Education Association and UA-Fayetteville Education Association/Local 965 at the 2023 University of Arkansas Staff Appreciation Picnic, May 17 at the 1021 Food Hall.
The 1966 charter of what originally was called Arkansas Public Employees Local Union 965
Liz Piccone, Arkansas Education Association interim executive director, talks strategy with Local 965 President Hershel Hartford (light blue shirt) and Vice President Ben Pollock before the May 17, 2023, University of Arkansas Staff Appreciation Picnic at the 1021 Food Hall.

Click on any image to start a slideshow. Then click on the “i” at bottom right for complete captions.

Among other highlights of the event, immediate Past President Bret Schulte presented President Hershel Hartford with Local 965’s charter from the mid-1960s. A 42-second video is available to view on Facebook.

Local 965 President Hershel Hartford displays the 1966 charter of what first was the Arkansas Public Employees Local Union 965 after Past President Bret Schulte presented it to him at the 2023 University of Arkansas Staff Appreciation Picnic, May 17 at the 1021 Food Hall.
Local 965 President Hershel Hartford displays the 1966 charter of what first was the Arkansas Public Employees Local Union 965 after Past President Bret Schulte presented it to him at the 2023 University of Arkansas Staff Appreciation Picnic, May 17 at the 1021 Food Hall.

Local 965 Hosts Picnic for Workers Day

President Hershel Hartford threw a party for Local 965 members and friends, and many dropped by for conversation, hamburgers, hot dogs, cold drinks and sides. It was UA-Fayetteville Education Association’s first-in-a-loooooong-while May Day / Workers Day picnic. We met at Fayetteville’s Veterans Memorial Park.

While chatting was generally casual, Hershel formally welcomed the diners and explained the intent, that in-person dialogue is more effective and more fun than the panedemic era’s email, text and video-chat. He noted that plans are to host a similar cook-out in the fall, on Labor Day naturally, as well as continuing well into the future.

Local 965 President Hershel Hartford discusses the University of Arkansas's need for a strong labor union during the Local 965 Workers Day 2023 picnic May 1 in Fayetteville.
Local 965 President Hershel Hartford discusses the University of Arkansas’s need for a strong labor union during the Local 965 Workers Day 2023 picnic May 1 in Fayetteville. Photo by Denise Firmin Garner
Local 965 President Hershel Hartford (from left) listens as state Rep Denise Garner snaps a photo and her husband, Dr. Hershey Garner looks on as Vice President Ben Pollock hawks memberships at the Local 965 Workers Day 2023 picnic May 1.
Local 965 President Hershel Hartford (from left) listens as state Rep Denise Garner snaps a photo and her husband, Dr. Hershey Garner looks on as Vice President Ben Pollock hawks memberships at the Local 965 Workers Day 2023 picnic May 1. Photo by Bret Schulte

Also speaking was a longtime supporter state Rep. Denise Firmin Garner, D-Dist. 84. Her husband, Hershey Garner, M.D., later completed our membership application.

Denise is known for being a shutterbug at events such as ours, and we are proud to showcase her skills here. We are grateful.

Friends of Local 965 chat at Fayetteville's Veterans Memorial Park during the Local 965 Workers Day 2023 picnic May 1.
Picnickers enjoy the buffet at Fayetteville's Veterans Memorial Park during the Local 965 Workers Day 2023 picnic May 1.
Local 965 immediate Past President Bret Schulte knew his children would enjoy its Workers Day 2023 picnic May 1 in Fayetteville.
Friends of Local 965 listen to the welcome by President Hershel Hartford at Fayetteville's Veterans Memorial Park during the Local 965 Workers Day 2023 picnic May 1.
Local 965 Vice President Ben Pollock asks for member and mailing list sign-ups at the Local 965 Workers Day 2023 picnic May 1.

Enthusiasm at 1st NWA Labor Spring Teach-In

A few dozen workers of all ages listened to eight regional union organizers at the Northwest Arkansas Labor Spring Teach-In April 8, gaining knowledge and enthusiasm from their fellows.

The program in the Ziegler Reception Room of the Fayetteville Public Library began with perhaps the newest labor movement, that of Starbucks Coffee employees. Dylan Hartsfield began organizing employees of the cafe on Wedington Drive in February 2022. Since its success and that of a Starbucks on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Dylan has become an organizer with the overall Starbucks Workers United, a division of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).

Walter Hinojosa, president of the Northwest Arkansas Labor Council, emceed while Hershel Hartford, president of UA-Fayetteville Education Association / Local 965, introduced the program. These two groups sponsored the teach-in.

Magaly Licolli, executive director and co-founder of the poultry worker organization Venceremos, speaks at the April 8, 2023, NWA Labor Spring Teach-In at the Fayetteville Public Library.
Magaly Licolli, executive director and co-founder of the poultry worker organization Venceremos, speaks at the April 8, 2023, NWA Labor Spring Teach-In at the Fayetteville Public Library.
Pete Reagan, the 14th District field service rep for the International Association of Fire Fighters, speaks at the April 8, 2023, NWA Labor Spring Teach-In at the Fayetteville Public Library.
Pete Reagan, the 14th District field service rep for the International Association of Fire Fighters, speaks at the April 8, 2023, NWA Labor Spring Teach-In at the Fayetteville Public Library.
Rick Halford, regional political director of Southern States Millwright Regional Council, speaks at the April 8, 2023, NWA Labor Spring Teach-In at the Fayetteville Public Library.
Rick Halford, regional political director of Southern States Millwright Regional Council, speaks at the April 8, 2023, NWA Labor Spring Teach-In at the Fayetteville Public Library.
Jessica Akers, president of the Arkansas AFL-CIO, speaks at the April 8, 2023, NWA Labor Spring Teach-In at the Fayetteville Public Library.
Jessica Akers, president of the Arkansas AFL-CIO, speaks at the April 8, 2023, NWA Labor Spring Teach-In at the Fayetteville Public Library.

Magaly Licolli, executive director and co-founder of the regional poultry worker organization Venceremos said her group is chiefly concerned with a “search for solutions” on worker safety matters. As far as chicken growing and processing, any sort of safety net set up by government is full of tangles and tears, where she cited chemical emissions and denial especially of the dangers of Covid especially in the pandemic’s early months.

Annie B. Smith, professor, University of Arkansas School of Law, outlined the basics of federal law on unions as well as the limits state laws sets, both positive and negative. Worker’s compensation law, for example covers an employee injured due to their own miscalculation, but “Workers generally do not have a right to breaks” (they’re just a common perk).

Dylan Hartsfield, an organizer with Workers United Starbucks who began with the coffee shops in Northwest Arkansas, speaks at the April 8, 2023, NWA Labor Spring Teach-In at the Fayetteville Public Library.
Dylan Hartsfield, an organizer with Workers United Starbucks who began with the coffee shops in Northwest Arkansas, speaks at the April 8, 2023, NWA Labor Spring Teach-In at the Fayetteville Public Library.
Annie B. Smith, a professor at the University of Arkansas School of Law, speaks at the April 8, 2023, NWA Labor Spring Teach-In at the Fayetteville Public Library.
Annie B. Smith, a professor at the University of Arkansas School of Law, speaks at the April 8, 2023, NWA Labor Spring Teach-In at the Fayetteville Public Library.

Pete Reagan, district field service representative for the 14th District (Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee), International Association of Fire Fighters , gave a brief history of the Fayetteville local that began in the late 1970s. Its latest concern is the incorporation of PFAs (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in their gear to repel oil and water and prevent mold but is a carcinogen. “Our own gear is killing us.” 

Rick Halford, regional political director of Southern States Millwright Regional Council  discussed the close relationship between child labor and human trafficking in light of the Arkansas legislature with Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ signature revoked state law pertaining to children working, though federal laws remain in effect.

Closing out the program was Jessica Akers Hughes, president, Arkansas AFL-CIO. She sees the governments of a number of states trying to divide workers, a common tactic that in recent years uses gender, sexuality, race. “If we didn’t have power, they wouldn’t be trying to silence us,” she said.

The inaugural Northwest Arkansas Labor Spring Teach-In was held April 8, 2023, at the Fayetteville Public Library.
The inaugural Northwest Arkansas Labor Spring Teach-In was held April 8, 2023, at the Fayetteville Public Library.

Local Welcomes Students at Razorbash

Local 965 responded to dozens of queries Aug. 24 at the 2022 Razorbash outside Arkansas Union on Aug. 24, visiting with students, staff and faculty members and a couple of parents of students.

Local 965 President Bret Schulte explains the union's Sept. 6 public discussion "The Fight for the Future of Reproductive Health at the University of Arkansas" to undergraduates Aug. 24 at the 2022 Razorbash community fair on the Fayetteville campus.
Local 965 Secretary Ben Pollock makes personal contact as President Bret Schulte and Vice President Mike Pierce talk with other University of Arkansas employees and graduate students Aug. 24 at the 2022 Razorbash community fair on the Fayetteville campus.
Local 965 Secretary Ben Pollock, UniServ Director Renee Johnson of the Arkansas Education Association and AEA President Carol B. Fleming are ready Aug. 24 to greet the first employees and students at the 2022 Razorbash on the Fayetteville campus.
Local 965 Vice President Mike Pierce (left) and President Bret Schulte explain its plans and goals to a graduate teaching assistant Aug. 24 at the 2022 Razorbash community fair on the Fayetteville campus.

Visitors to the booth picked up information about UA-Fayetteville Education Association/Local 965, a chapter of the Arkansas Education Association, a division of the National Education Association, as well as logo pens, highlighters and other reading material, including a flyer for the Local’s Sept. 6 public panel discussion “The Fight for the Future of Reproductive Health at the University of Arkansas.”

Its table was run by 965 officers as well as AEA President Carol Fleming and AEA UniServ Director Renee Johnson.

Local 965 Vice President Mike Pierce talks Aug. 24 with interim University of Arkansas Chancellor Charles F. Robinson at the 2022 Razorbash on the Fayetteville campus.
Local 965 Secretary Ben Pollock greets interim University of Arkansas Chancellor Charles F. Robinson Aug. 24 at the 2022 Razorbash on the Fayetteville campus as 965 Vice President Mike Pierce listens.
Interim University of Arkansas Chancellor Charles F. Robinson meets Arkansas Education Association President Carol B. Fleming Aug. 24 at the 2022 Razorbash on the Fayetteville campus.
Interim University of Arkansas Chancellor Charles F. Robinson stopped at the table of Local 965 Aug. 24 during the 2022 Razorbash community fair on the Fayetteville campus. 965 Vice President Mike Pierce, left photo, talks with his fellow history professor. 965 Secretary Ben Pollock meets him, center. Arkansas Education Association Carol B. Fleming poses with him. Left and middle photos by Fleming, right by Renee Johnson.

The annual Razorbash fair web page states it “features booths from local businesses, community groups and non-profit organizations, that will provide free food, giveaways, and information. Razorbash 2022 offers students an opportunity to connect with the local community.”