Gene Binda, CPCS-Labor Studies ‘98

My path the UMass Boston was a long journey. I am a pressmen by trade, however over twelve-year period, I had been a shop steward for the Boston Newspaper Printing Pressmen’s Union Boston 3N. I had taken six semesters of classes at the Labor Guild of Boston—and was running out of classes to take—when someone told me I should go to UMass and get a degree in Labor Studies. Having two children and a heavy workload I did not think I would have the time to pursue a degree.

But I had ambitions of getting more involved with the union and decided the best way to prepare for the challenge would be to get the degree, and the biggest factor for me was the flexibility that CPCS offered to reach my goal—which I did in 1998. After graduating I attended the Masters Program for Union Leadership and Administration, which I was awarded in 2002.

Since then I have been on staff with the Graphic Commu­nications Conference of the International Brotherhood of Teamster as an instructor and a curriculum development expert for the Leadership Program. I have conducted many seminars in negotiation, leadership, internal organizing, steward’s training, health and safety.

The most rewarding experience for me was returning to CPCS in the fall of 2005 to teach a course in Negotiations for Labor Contracts. I had a chance to give back to the school that gave me a chance to believe in myself and make a small difference in the lives of many working peoples.

Eugene M. Binda,

Apprentice Coordinator Boston Newspaper Printing Pressmen’s Union Boston 3N,

Leadership Coordinator Graphic Communications Conference–International Brotherhood of Teamsters.