INSIGHT NEWS July 12 - July 18, 2010 • MN Metro Vol. 36 No. 31 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • www.insightnews.com
2010 graduating class with the instructors and administrators from Local 49 and Summit Academy OIC.
Courtesy Local 49
Protest, planning, negotiation and hard work net workforce opportunity
Summit Academy graduates ready for Hiway Heavy jobs Summit Academy OIC in partnership with the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 49 last week graduated the first class of students to participate in their groundbreaking joint heavy equipment operator training program. Workers graduated in ceremonies at the Local 49 Training Center at 40276 Fish Tail Road in Hinckley, MN. The milestone event is hailed as a payoff for two years of tough negotiating, protesting, planning and countless hours of hard work by SAOIC, HIRE MN advocacy network, union and school administrators and students. Students spent the first 15 weeks of the 20 week program in classroom instruction at Summit
File Photo
Louis King, CEO, Summit Academy OIC
Academy, Olson Highway Campus in North Minneapolis. The last five weeks of the program were spent at the Local 49’s state of the art Training Center in Hinckley, operating
the equipment that apprentices typically operate when they first enter the industry. “Becoming an operator requires a lot more than showing up on a job site willing to work,” said Gary Lindblad director of training for Local 49. “Operators must have proper training and certification to get in the seat of a dozer, backhoe or crane and work safely and effectively.” “This training is like no other being offered locally, and it gives our students – many with difficult backgrounds and upbringings – the tools they need to succeed,” said Louis King, President of SAOIC. To join this heavy equipment operator program, interested students had to meet requirements
that the State of Minnesota has put in place to become a Local 49 registered apprentice, including a high school diploma or GED, and a passing score on the Ramsay Skills Test, which evaluates basic math proficiency. “Our doors have always been open wide to women and minority community members, but we wanted to go the extra mile to ensure more people knew how to enter Local 49’s apprenticeship program,” said Glen Johnson, Local 49 business manager. “While many people talk about inclusion and a diverse workplace, we have gone beyond talking, and are taking real action to address this issue in
HIRE TURN TO 4
Harkus replaces Williams as Hire MN lead organizer Community organizer Alessandra Williams leaves HIRE Minnesota at the end of July to pursue her doctorate Suluki Fardan at Alessandra studies U C L A . Williams Northside resident and activist Marcus Harcus this month has been hired to carry on the work of coordinating the HIRE
Minnesota campaign. Wi l l i a m s announced she will study Dance and African American History in the File Photo Culture and Marcus Performance Harkus PhD program at the University of California Los Angeles. “Although I will
ORGANIZER TURN 3
Sonny Anderson, 1948 - 2010: A pioneer for justice Funeral services for Fred Lewis “Sonny” Anderson, Jr., were June 24th at Greater Mt. Vernon Missionary Baptist Church in North Minneapolis with burial following at Fort Snelling National Cemetery and repast at New Salem Missionary Baptist Church . Sonny Anderson’s passing occasioned a reading to the record in the U.S. House of Representatives. Minnesota Fifth District Congressman Keith Ellison paid tribute to Anderson saying, “Madam Speaker: It is with great sadness I rise today to mourn the passing of my friend and Minnesota criminal defense investigator, Fred Lewis “Sonny” Anderson Junior. “Sonny was born and raised in Minneapolis and graduated from North High School in
1966. He went on to attend the University of Minnesota, where he majored in criminal justice. He served his country in the United States Army from 1968-1970, and later served his community for 25 years as a Criminal Defense Investigator with the Legal Rights Center in the Hennepin County Public Defender’s Office. Sonny was an avid sportsman, and was a loving and loyal father, son, brother, uncle, grandfather and friend,” Ellison said. “Sonny was the Chief Investigator during my tenure as Executive Director at the Legal Rights Center in Minneapolis, MN. Through Sonny’s tireless and courageous work, many Minnesotans received high quality representation without regard to income or wealth.
File Photo
Sonny Anderson
Sonny’s pursuit of the truth was relentless. He stopped at nothing to find the elusive witness, document, or film footage for the sake of truth and justice. Sonny always worked for the indigent criminal defendant, but he believed that the quality of justice his clients received was a barometer for the quality of justice to which everyone is entitled,” the Congressman said.
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Ellison said Anderson “had a profound impact on his country, his community, his friends and family.” Anderson, the oldest of six children, was born April 22, 1948, to Fred and Bernadette Anderson. He attended Grant elementary school and Lincoln Junior High School, and graduated from North High School in 1966. He was a member of the North High track team and participated in speed skating races at Lake Harriet. He attended the University of Minnesota where he studied criminal justice. He also completed legal coursework at Hamline University. From May 1968 to May 1970, Sonny served in the United States Army. He was a Paratrooper in the First Airborne Division based in Fort Bragg, NC. It was
during his time in the military that he seemed to develop a deep interest in legal rights. During his service he completed classes in military justice and the Geneva Convention. Anderson worked on the Wisconsin Innocence project, and for the Hamline University Innocence Clinic. He was a past member of the National Defense Investigator Association, a member of the America Legion, and a board member of the Circle of Discipline where he was known as “Brother Sulton”. He received certification from the Criminal Defense Investigation Training Council in Uncovering Reasonable Doubt, Ethics and Critical Thinking, and Forensic Applications. In 1985, he and his brother
Morial:
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Eddie attended the Million Man March, an experience both called ‘‘life-changing.’’ Anderson worked for over 25 years with the Legal Rights Center and the Hennepin County Public Defender’s Office as a Criminal Defense Investigator. His easy rapport with people who were in trouble or seeking help for someone in trouble made him an effective investigator and earned him the respect of his colleagues in the criminal justice system. In June 2004 he received the “Enriching the Workplace Award” in appreciation for his distinguished contribution in making Hennepin County a creative, caring, effective organization that makes life
MORIAL TURN ANDERSON TURN TO TO 33
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