Labor on the Move

     The Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA) has hired ERIC NAKANO as the new Assistant Executive Director. Nakano will develop and manage APALA's organizing and political programs and participate in executive level management of the organization. Nakano is a graduate of George Washington University, where he graduated with honors in political science and public policy. He previously worked for Union Privilege, where he served as Executive Assistant to the President of the program. Before that, he served in a variety of volunteer and intern positions in political campaigns, legislative offices, and news organization. He is an active member of the Japanese American Citizens League of Washington, D.C.
     SETH D. MICHAELS will be coordinating work on the Working Families Vote 2008 website. Michaels is working on Phase 2 of the website to promote labor news and events related to the 2008 presidential campaign, including photos, videos, rallies, house parties, members with a campaign sign, staffers wearing VOTE T-shirts, etc. Submit photos and videos online or email Michaels at smichael@aflcio.org. 
     IN MEMORIAM: GERALD ROBERT "JERRY" MENAPACE, who rose from president of a local meat cutters union to the second-highest office of the United Food and Commercial Workers International, died of a heart attack May 27 at his Bel Air home, reported the Baltimore Sun. Menapace was 73. At age 22, he became president of the local unit of the Amalgamated Meat Cutters and Butcher Workmen. He was elected an international vice president of the United Food and Commercial Workers after it was formed from merger in 1979 and was director of the retail division for seven years. He spent the next nine years as secretary-treasurer of the UFCW International, the second-highest office. He retired in 1995. "He could lead people anywhere, he was such a dynamic speaker," said Mrs. Menapace. "Good or bad, he would tell them the truth." Condolences to his son and fellow union member at UFCW 1994, Doug Menapace. Got labor staff news? Let us know! Email streetheat@dclaborarchives.org to submit your news. (l) Gerald Menapace