(NEW YORK CITY – Dec. 4, 2013) “Sandy Stories, Organized Labor Rebuilds New York,” an exhibit of photographs taken by working men and women during and after Hurricane Sandy, and “When the Lights Go Out,” a multi-media theatrical performance about those who helped in the rebuilding, will be hosted by SUNY Empire State College’s Harry Van Arsdale Jr. Center for Labor Studies, Thursday, Dec. 5, 5-8 p.m.

The event will be streamed live over the Internet on ESC-TV and can be accessed at http://www.esc.edu/esc-tv/.

Presented by the New York State AFL-CIO and the Workforce Development Institute, the exhibit honors workers and their effort and sacrifice during and after the hurricane and is the brainchild of WDI Executive Director Ed Murphy.

Cameras were provided by WDI to a number of unions in order to document the destruction brought on by Sandy and the subsequent rebuilding efforts.

“Superstorm Sandy was one of the worst in American history,” said Murphy. “On October 29, 2012, New York and New Jersey were hit by uncontrollable flooding. Power lines came down, streets, tunnels and subway lines were rapidly flooded, cutting power in and around New York City. Thousands and thousands of public workers, transit workers, electrical workers, teachers, nurses, mechanics and volunteers worked tirelessly to put New York back together for us all. Sandy Stories recognizes and applauds their tireless efforts.”

“When New Yorkers were knocked down by Sandy, union members were there to lift them up,” said Mario Cilento, president of the New York State AFL-CIO. “Working men and women from the public sector, private sector and building trades prepared for the impact, responded to emergencies when the storm hit, cleaned up its aftermath and are rebuilding so that we are stronger than ever. They demonstrated the resilience of New York and that there is no challenge we can't overcome when we work together.”

“Lifting others up, sharing what they can and doing what they must is what trade unionists are all about,” said Michael Merrill, dean of the college’s Labor Center. “Sandy Stories tell tales and show scenes from an extraordinary moment, not unlike those we heard and saw of emergency response and rescue after 9/11. The truth is that trade unionists live these principles every day. We are proud to participate in honoring extraordinary heroes.”

Members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 3 were among the thousands of unionists who worked to rebuild in the aftermath of the storm. Through the Joint Industry Board of the Electrical Industry, IBEW Local 3 pays for its apprentices to earn an associate or bachelor’s at the college’s Labor Center as part of their apprenticeship.

Local 3 Journeyman Electrician Stephen Flynn, an adjunct member of the faculty at the Labor Center, Local 3 apprentices and Labor Center students Volodymry Sulyk and Danny Ferreyra ’13, as well as Labor Center adjunct faculty Sean Broesler and Kate Spaulding shared their first-hand experience with Sandy as part of a panel discussion, “Sandy – Victims and Volunteers,” during the college’s 2013 Student Academic conference.

Middle and high school students from New York City attended the presentation and interviewed the panelists after the discussion as part of developing, “When the Lights Go Out,” which is based on the stories of Flynn, Sulyk, Ferreyra, Broesler and Spaulding.

With the guidance of Noelle Gentille, a social justice theater artist and consultant for WDI, who created the concept and directs the piece, and Amelia Whalen, who created the play, the students will perform “When the Lights Go Out” as part of the event at the Labor Center.

About the Workforce Development Institute

The Workforce Development Institute's mission is to improve the lives of working men and women across New York State by developing regional solutions to workforce, economic and community development challenges.

As a partner to the New York State AFL-CIO and area labor federations, WDI's agenda is shaped by the needs of specific regions, businesses and unions. WDI provides timely support for new and incumbent worker training, acts as a convener to bring together labor, business, government and others to find solutions to workforce and economic development challenges. WDI promotes diversity in the workforce through programs that focus on women and underserved populations.

WDI’s cultural programs are aimed at increasing worker visibility and dignity by giving voice and vision to their hopes, struggles and daily lives. WDI believes that the culture and creativity of working people has been pivotal to the triumphs of labor and other social justice movements throughout history.

About SUNY Empire State College

SUNY Empire State College was established in 1971 to offer adult learners the opportunity to earn associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the State University of New York.

In addition to awarding credit for prior college-level learning, the college pairs each student with a faculty mentor who supports that student throughout his or her college career. Students engage in guided independent study and course work onsite, online or through a combination of both, which provides the flexibility for students to learn at the time, place and pace they choose.

The college serves more than 20,000 students worldwide at more than 35 locations in the state of New York and online. Its 70,000 alumni are active in their communities as entrepreneurs, politicians, business professionals, artists, nonprofit agency employees, teachers, veterans and active military, union members and more. More information about the college is available here.

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Media contact: David Henahan, director of communications

518-587-2100, ext. 2918

David.Henahan@esc.edu

518-321-7038 (after hours and on weekends)