Lettie Oliver’s Life Honored with Books

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.afscme.org/publications/29084.cfm

September 1, 2010


IN HER HONOR – Lettie Oliver’s children (left to right) Jonathan Oliver, Brittani Oliver, Jasmin Oliver and Tehea Harding, flank U.S. Rep. André Carson and Local 3395 Pres. Michael Torres after the dedication of the Lettie Oliver Memorial Collection at the central branch of the Indianapolis/Marion County Central Library. The book is “Live Wire: Women and Brotherhood in the Electrical Industry” by Francine Moccio.

Photo Credit: Tom Strickland

Family, friends and colleagues of the late Lettie Oliver, associate director of Indiana/Kentucky Council 62, gathered in August at the central branch of the Indianapolis/Marion County Central Library to honor her memory with a collection of books focusing on women in the labor movement.

U.S. Rep. André Carson (D-Ind.) presided over the dedication of the Lettie Oliver Memorial Collection.

Oliver, who also was president of the Marion County Central Indiana Labor Council, died in March at the age of 58 after suffering an asthma-related attack. Read more about her life here.

Honoring Oliver through a collection of union-related books was the idea of Local 3395 (Council 62). The union’s 325 members work as librarians and public service and support staff for the library system.

“We chose a memorial to honor and remember her for her work helping us bring a union to our library,” says Local 3395 Pres. Michael Torres. “She was a key contributor to our organizing campaign,” speaking at rallies and board meetings to support their cause, he added.

The organizing drive, which began in 2006, culminated in a vote to join AFSCME in 2008. The employees’ first contract followed a year later. Oliver continued her involvement with the local by helping to get people appointed to the library board who supported the workers’ new union.