Ernesto Jofre
Ernesto Jofre, died March 5 2001, age 64, was a New York labor activist. He was business manager and secretary/treasurer of Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union Local 169, which later became part of UNITE. He worked for the union for 23 years. [1]
Background
Jofre was born in 1937 in Chile. As a young man he became a leftist and a labor activist. when salvador Allende was elected president in 1970, Jofre was a local leader of the Socialist Party and and a Copper Workers Union activist. When Allende was ousted and committed suicide in 1973, Jofre was arrested and tortured. Three years later he was exiled to the United States, where he remained active in Chilean leftist causes. He was an ally of later Chilean Socialist president Richard Lagos. [2]
Human Rights in El Salvador
In 1980 Jofre founded the New York Labor Committee for Democracy and Human Rights in El Salvador.
Better World Awards
The New York Communist Party USA hosts an annual Better World Awards banquet.
Past honorees and speakers include : former NY State Assemblyman Frank Barbaro; Marvel Cooke; Domino sugar workers, ILA Local 1814; Ernesto Jofre (UNITE); Julie Margolin; NY State Senator Bill Perkins; Chris Silvera, Teamsters local 808; NY City Councilwoman Letitia James; Rev. Lucius Walker, Pastors for Peace; former US Congressman Major Owens; Betty Smith, International Publishers; NY City Councilman Robert Jackson; Adolfo Fana; Make the Road by Walking; TWU Local 100, NY Taxi Workers Alliance; Brooklyn for Peace; Estelle Katz etc. [3]
Jofre received his award on October 22, 2000.[4]
1998 Working Families Party co-chairs
Working Families Party co-chairs in 1998 were former New York mayor David Dinkins, Brooklyn Congresswoman Nydia Velasquez, former New York City Councilmember Sal Albanese, UAW Region 9 Director Tom Fricano and UNITE leader Ernesto Jofre.[5]
Jofre was named as a founder of the Working Families Party in the People's Weekly World of October 7, 2000, page 2.
References
- ↑ PWW, March 17, 2001, page 9
- ↑ PWW, March 17, 2001, page 9
- ↑ [http://events.nydailynews.com/new-york-ny/events/show/186417946-2011-annual-better-world-awards-luncheon NY Daily News events, 2011 Annual Better World Awards Luncheon Sunday, May 22 1:30p at Winston Unity Hall, New York, NY]
- ↑ PWW, March 17, 2001, page 9
- ↑ Peoples Weekly World, Sep. 19, 1998, page 5