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Feedback from Participants in the 1999
Julius Margolin (IATSE Local 52, New York): It was a joyous event and I am looking
forward to next years participation.... All the best, keep up the good work. The labor movement
needs a vital cultural section as an organizing and educational tool to invigorate it.
Bill Yund (Asbestos Workers Local 2, Pittsburgh): I really enjoyed the music, perhaps even
more than the other years I've attended...I felt edgy about the low number of visual artists....But I
think the energy and and interest generated by Tavia's puppet, and brisk traffic at Huck's book
signing show the potential of the visual aspect...Not everyone has Tavia Lafollette's skills, but the
basic procedures are probably within the abilities of someone in every group and it's hard to
ignore a 9 foot puppet.
Rae Sovereign (SEIU Local 1, Chicago): I truly believe this program will provide the Labor
Movement, AFL-CIO, organizers and cultural workers the education, training and ideas to bring
new "blood" into organizing drives.
Gail George (actress, Albany, NY): I had a great time at my first Great Labor Arts Exchange
gathering. The setting was terrific, the organization very good, the people really open-hearted,
talented, and welcoming, the programs varied enough to both educate us and hold our interest.
Jeff Ditz (UAW member, Michigan): I am glad I attended the Creative Organizing Conference.
It was well worth my time and my employers and union locals money.
Charles Bernhardt (AFGE staff, Washington, DC): Once again, I want to congratulate you
for a very successful Great Labor Arts Exchange. Coming to the Exchange is coming home to
my family. Just feeling the energy of so many creative and dedicated people lifts my spirit. The
only bad part was having to go home on Tuesday night, knowing that I would not be back the
next day.
Thank you for all your hard work that made the Exchange so rewarding. I look forward
to coming back again next year and for many more years to come.
Sam Jannotta (youth organizer): The creative energy generated by all these artists and
organizers coming together in a unified stance was powerful and contagious...It was important for
me, and I think for the youth of the conference, with whom I worked, to feel the seriousness of
the convictions underlying the labor movement's current driving forces.