Peter J. McGuire Scholarship Awarded to Union County College Labor/Vocational Students

EDISON, N.J., May 09, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On April 11th, the first-ever Peter J. McGuire Organized Labor Scholarship, an award developed by unions to highlight students involved in organized labor and vocational/trade studies, was awarded to Union County College students Tonisha Castellano, Jessica Felix and Dennys Nunez.

“Union County College places great emphasis on the importance of organized labor and provides many educational opportunities for students interested in pursuing a trade that can lead to a lucrative, professional career,” said Anthony Abrantes, who is the Northeast Regional Council of Carpenters’ Local 254 Team Lead and Senior Council Representative as well as a Trustee on the Board of the Union County College Foundation. “This scholarship showcases the commitment to providing the most skilled workforce possible.”

According to a letter from Executive Director of Union County College Douglas Rouse, the Peter J. McGuire Organized Labor Scholarship was awarded to these students because they met at least one of the following criteria:

• “Students who are registered in a Bona-fide apprentice program affiliated with the New Jersey Building & Construction Trades Council and recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor and enrolled in the Associate in Applied Science -- Technical Studies A.A.S. Program
• Students who planned on attending a Bona-fide apprentice program affiliated with the NJ Building & Construction Trades Council and recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor and are enrolled in the Associate in Applied Science --Technical Studies A.A.S. Program
• Students enrolling in the Associate of Applied Science -- Technical Studies A.A.S. Program, or
• Students enrolling in any of the following programs: Nursing; Criminal Justice; Education; Early Childhood/Elementary Education, & Public Administration and plan on joining the labor movement in a local union”

Peter J. McGuire, also known as the “father” of Labor Day and May Day, is the founder and first general secretary of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners of America (UBCJA). He is considered one of the most salient figures in the history of the American labor movement. For more information on the labor movement, please visit our website at: http://www.northeastcarpenters.org/history

About the NRCC

Contact: Tony Bianchini
Phone: 609-402-1730