Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 16 August 1997 — Page 1

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UPS strikers refuse to be bullied

By BARATO BRITT Staff Writer United Parcel Service workers are overtime tonight. What’s left of them anyway. As the Teamsters strike against UPS continues, disabling the many customers who use the package shipment company’s services, members of Teamsters Local Union 135 remain steadfast to the national consensus the company owes them more than it wants to give. Prior to this strike, the company has not had an interruption of this magnitude in its 90-year history. J.D. Martin, a UPS driver and employee for 15 years, believes employees have been underserved since his entrance into the

company. In fact, the current entry level salary of $8 an hour was the same when he was hired. However, the current rate is still the highest in the package shipment industry. “We will not go back without any changes,” said Martin. “They work us like dogs. It’s obvious by the turnover rate (150 percent.) The pay is just not good enough for that.” Making over $50,000 a year, Martin admits he does not have to be out on the picket lines. He could easily choose to cross the lines as an estimated 7,000 employees nationally have done. But to do so would be a smack in the face to the people who he believes are working “slave labor” for “sweatshop” wages. “Those greedy b s just want to break the See UPS, Page A4

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As labor talks continue between the Teamsters and United T Parcel Service, local employees continue to ^ crowd the UPS 16th .» Street facility. with picket signs in defense of their walkout {Recorder Photo By Curtis Guynn)

Week in Review

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(Above) Happy Martin University graduates. (Recorder File Photo)

This Indianapolis family takes a break from fun In the sun at the Indiana State Fair. {Recorder Photo By Curtis Guynn)

Airmen Tee off Pictured from the left is the winning team comprised of Malcolm “Cam” Cameron, Indiana University head football coach, Willie Lanier, former NFL player, Donnie Simpson, radio personality and Michael Pegg, during the Tuskegee Airmen Celebrity Golf Classic held at Eagle Creek Golf Course Tuesday. (Recorder Photo By Mike Patton)

Martin University carrying on the tradition

Recorder Staff Report Thursday, Aug. 14 marks the historic date in the life of Martin University. On this day alumni, students, faculty, donors, community leaders and others will come together to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the school’s founding. The gala will be held at the Marriott Hotel. Judy Waugh, WRTV-Channel 6 will be the mistress of ceremonies. “As far as I know, this is the first formal presentation of this magnitude in the history of Martin University,” said Priscilla Dillon, 20th anniversary gala chairwoman. Martin University, a not-for-profit, non-

denominational institution, was founded in 1977 as Martin Center College by Rev. Fr. Boniface Hardin, a Benedictine priest who continues as president of the University. President Hardin believes education is the key to opening doors of opportunity. He founded the college to serve adults, minorities, and low-income individuals. He believed these three groups were not being served adequately by higher education. “One of the goals of Martin Center College was to help these individuals overcome traditional barriers to obtaining a college degree,” Hardin said. “These barriers include the difficulty of finding class times that were

compatible with a full-time work schedule, family responsibilities, health, age, failure in another institution, and transportation.” Martin Center College was incorporated and accredited by the state of Indiana in 1979. Seven students were enrolled in its first classes. The first graduate earned a bachelor’s degree in 1981. In 1987, the institution was accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. In the same year, the main campus of Martin Center College was moved from its original site at 35 th Street and College Avenue 8m TRADITION Pag* AS

Recent drug • survey is dead wrong By MONYCA D. COLEMAN Staff Writer (Editor’s Note: The names <0 the teens in this story have been changed to protect their identities) A survey recently released claims drug use is down, but those using beg to differ. According to the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, which released information which says nine percent of American teens used drugs in 1996 - is down from 10.9 percent in 1995. Yes, illicit drug use among teens 12 to 17 declined for the first time since 1992. However, local teens say that information is false. In fact, several teens spoke out about the growing drug problem at their schools. “Naw,” says Barbie, who is 15. “That can’t be true. Lots of kids I know smoke weed.” Barbie isn’t the only teen unconvinced. Her schoolmate Scooter says he sees more kids turning to drugs, in fact he’s one of them. “I smoke weed because it makes me feel good,” says Scooter who is also 15. “Weed is from the earth, God made it so it can’t be all that bad.” This lackadaisical attitude toward marijuana seems to be spreading among the city’s youth. Several teens feel it’s the “safest” drug and don’t realize the long term harm marijuana can have on the human body. “If bud is so bad, why did they legalize it in California?” added Otto, 17. “I’d rather smoke bud Sm DRUGS Page A4 Warren Township finishes first yearround school year By JIM NELSON Staff Writer While most area students are busy making back-to-school plans, it is business as usual for some students in the Warren Township School District. Warren Township just completed the first year of their yearround school curriculum and district officials report the first year has been a tremendous success. Warren Township offers a yearround school program at three elementary schools, Brookview Elementary, Lowell Elementary and Moorhead Elementary, as well as Stoneybrook Middle School, and the program is available to any student living within the boundaries of Warren Township School District. The official end to the first year of year-round school was June 11 and students participating in die program have been back in the classroom since July 21. The rest of die students return 8m WARREN Page A8 ^

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