Tom “tk” Christopher accepts the award as Chris Habecker, Mike Davis, Eric Wolfe and Tom Dalzell
look on.
The creator of “First Day”, the IBEW 1245 comic book that introduces new members to the history of the union, was honored at the Oct. 25 meeting of the Advisory Council.
Business Manager Tom Dalzell presented Tom “tk” Christopher with a plaque from the International Labor Communications that awarded “first place” to the comic for general excellence.
“I can’t tell you how really proud I am of this. I am a big union supporter,” said Christopher, who traveled from Washington State to accept the award.
Christopher offered his gratitude to the union for undertaking the project, which has generated a great deal of interest among unions around the country as well as in Canada.
“I would also like to thank you guys for holding together as a union and promoting this kind of work,” said Christopher, who expressed his conviction that “there’s no democracy in America without unions.”
Dalzell, who first conceived the idea for a comic book history of the union nearly three years ago, noted that Christopher is a member of two unions “and has a great passion for the work we are doing.”
He noted that Christopher is also the creative force behind a new series of posters that will be featured in the Utility Reporter and published separately on card stock for display on union bulletin boards. Copies of the first poster, explaining the concept of “Weingarten Rights”, were distributed to Advisory Council members.
In a reciprocal gift, Christopher presented Dalzell with the original art work for the cover of the “First Day” comic.
The comic is given to new members to help them appreciate the long struggle to create the union.
Business Manager Tom Dalzell, left, shows the original artwork for the comic book history of IBEW 1245, while Tom “tk” Christopher displays the award the project received from the International Labor Communications Association. Eric Wolfe, right co-wrote the script with Christopher. Photo by John Storey