2024 ATU scholarship program in memory of James La Sala sponsored by the ATU International office, Silver Spring, MD
This year’s scholarships are in remembrance of former International president emeritus James La Sala, who passed away on October 8, 2022.
La Sala began his career in the transit industry as a bus operator for the public service coordinated transport of New Jersey in 1946, where he joined local 824-New Brunswick, NJ, and was elected shop steward. He was subsequently elected vice president, financial secretary and then, in 1962 president/business agent of the local.
“Jim La Sala was a legend in the ATU. Under his leadership, he initiated and revived programs at the international that helped our union navigate some of the most tumultuous years of its history, including our greyhound strike,” said ATU International president John Costa. “Jim was a fearless and respected leader who built the ATU into a powerful union. He embodied the ATU and even recently attended our 60th international convention in Las Vegas. During his tenure, La Sala expanded ATU education initiatives, broadened ATU legislative programs, revamped ATU organizing, and revived the ATU-Cope program.
In 1968 La Sala joined the international staff as an international representative. He was first elected international vice-president in 1969 and was elected international executive vice president at the international convention in 1981. When international president John rowland retired in 1985, he recommended to the general executive board that La Sala become the international preisdent and they elected him. He was formally elected international president at the 1986 convention and was re-elected every three years until his retirement in 2003.
We hope the recipients of this year’s scholarships named in his honor, will use them in part to study union and community organizing, and grow to fight injustices everywhere.
This year, the program will consist of five scholarships in the amount of $8,000.00 in addition, a $2,000.00 scholarship may be awarded to a technical or vocational school applicant.
For questions or further information, please contact the ATU International, directly, as per the regulations and procedures.
Official application forms can be obtained here, https://atu.communityforce.com.
2024-James-La-Sala-Memorial-Scholarship-Rules