CWA 6300 vice president joins United Way Labor staff

Sonja Gholston-Byrd began new position July 31

By SHERI GASSAWAY

Correspondent

Sonja Gholston-Byrd, CWA Local 6300 vice president for the St. Louis metro area, has been named the United Way of Greater St. Louis’ new director of Labor Engagement/Labor Liaison.

Gholston-Byrd, who also serves as president of the St. Louis chapter of the Coalition of Labor Union Women, is replacing Amy Phillips, who joined the St. Louis Labor Council as a part-time administrative assistant.

Roz Sherman Voellinger, the organization’s vice president of Labor Engagement and Labor Liaison, made the announcement at last week’s St. Louis Labor Council meeting and welcomed Gholston-Byrd aboard.

“We are very fortunate to have Sonja as our new Labor liaison in St. Louis,” Sherman Voellinger said. “She is well known and well respected by all of Labor, and she has a long history of involvement with the United Way. I know she will be an excellent addition to our United Way Labor engagement staff.”

Gholston-Byrd has served as vice president of the St. Louis metro area since 2008. She said what she will miss most is working with her members.

“I’ve enjoyed working with the leadership to initiate positive change within the union,” she said. “Local 6300 has given me so many opportunities to grow.”

In her new position, Gholston-Byrd will partner with the St. Louis Labor Council and work with St. Louis-area unions to increase United Way support. She will also oversee the United Way’s Labor help line.

Through the partnership of United Way of Greater St. Louis with the St. Louis Labor Council, Madison County Federation of Labor and Southwestern Illinois Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, more than 600 families receive confidential help each year from the United Way staff of Labor liaisons. Union members in need of assistance can call (314) 539-4189.