LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Samuel G. Williams, United Auto Workers
Region 9 Community Action Program Director, upon the occasion of his
retirement

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge the
significant milestones in the distinguished careers of esteemed resi-
dents of this noble Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Samuel G. Williams, United Auto Workers Region 9 Community Action
Program Director, upon the occasion of his retirement; and
WHEREAS, Born in Niagara Falls, New York, Sam Williams graduated from
high school in 1970 and started his union career as a sheet metal
apprentice; he served as a journeyman for Sheet Metal Workers Local 71
until 1976 when he was hired at the former Harrison Radiator division of
General Motors (GM) Corporation, and became a member of the United Auto
Workers (UAW) Local 686; and
WHEREAS, Beginning in 1982, Sam Williams rose through the union ranks
as alternate, district, and shop committeeman; he served as UAW Local
686 Shop Chairman for five years, and during this time, he was elected
as an alternate, then top negotiator for Skilled Trades Sub-Council 7 at
the UAW-GM National Bargaining Table; during negotiations, he co-chaired
both the health and safety and skilled trades sub-committees; and
WHEREAS, In 1996, Sam Williams took part in the development of the
Transitional Work Center concept within GM, which allowed and encouraged
UAW members collecting workers' compensation to return to work early;
the program allowed injured workers to return to work in non-traditional
jobs until they were able to return to their normal work duty; this
program is still in place today, greatly reducing the workers' compen-
sation costs throughout the industry; and
WHEREAS, In February of 1998, Sam Williams was appointed to the Inter-
national Staff of the UAW Region 9 as a servicing representative; in
this capacity, he negotiated collective bargaining agreements, handled
arbitration issues and PERB (Public Employee Relations Board) hearings
for numerous UAW Locals throughout the Western New York area; and
WHEREAS, In late 1998, Sam Williams was appointed Director of Educa-
tion for UAW Region 9, encompassing New York, Pennsylvania and New
Jersey; he trained UAW Local Union Officers in all aspects of collective
bargaining, grievance handling, fiscal and legal requirements, meeting
facilitation, and the roles and responsibilities of a union executive
board member; in August of 2004, he was appointed UAW Region 9's CAP
Director; and
WHEREAS, Sam Williams, who has served on numerous United Way Boards in
Niagara County, and as President of the Niagara-Orleans AFL-CIO Central
Labor Council for seven years, has been a board member and State
Co-Chair of the Working Families Party, as well as Chairperson of the
Western New York Chapter; he also serves on the executive boards of
Citizen Action of New York, the New York State Labor-Religion Coalition
and the Western New York AFL-CIO Area Labor Federation; and
WHEREAS, Also serving as President of Western New York Working Fami-
lies Party Chapter, Sam Williams is moving on to serve a seven-year term
on the New York State Workers' Compensation Board; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the years, Sam Williams has received many awards
and honors for his tireless dedication to causes that he believes in; in
1994, he was honored with the UAW Citizenship Award, and in 1999 as
Labor Citizen of the Year from the Niagara-Orleans AFL-CIO Central Labor
Council; and

WHEREAS, In 2009, Sam Williams received the Norm Harper Labor Award
from the Coalition for Economic Justice (CEJ), and the Buffalo Central
Labor Council Labor Person of the Year award for his commitment to
organized labor and community partnership through legislative and elec-
toral solutions; in January of 2010, he received the Martin Luther King,
Jr. Social Justice Award; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the occurrence of such a compassionate blend-
ing of strength, leadership, intellect, and commitment as that demon-
strated by Sam Williams over a lifetime of sacrifice and dedication to
others; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Samuel G. Williams, United Auto Workers Region 9 Community Action
Program Director, upon the occasion of his retirement and to wish him
continued success in all of his future endeavors; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Samuel G. Williams.