(BUFFALO, NEW YORK) – Former Communications Workers of America (CWA) District 1 Area Director Dave Palmer’s passing caused several Labor Leaders whom WNYLaborToday.com spoke with over the weekend to recall a long list of accomplishments Palmer helped bring about - not only for his Union’s Membership, but for Union Members across Western New York.

Retired CWA Local 1122 President John Mudie told WNYLaborToday.com Palmer “accomplished quite a bit” for his fellow CWA Brothers and Sisters. 

“I ‘learned a lot from him, because if you didn’t (pay attention to what Palmer was saying), you weren’t paying attention.’  ‘He gave me some advice that I always took:’ ‘Listen to the Members and verify their stories.’  ‘It still rings true.’  ‘He was always there’ and he always returned a phone call,” Mudie said.

Former Western New York AFL-CIO Area Labor Federation (WNYALF) President Richard Lipsitz said this about Palmer (Pictured Above & Below/WNYLaborToday.com File Photos): “He was a ‘very important person’ in our Labor Movement ‘and a great fiend to many’ (in the Labor Movement).  He was a ‘very creative and honest’ Labor Relations Advocate.  He ‘executed all his responsibilities at a high level, from negotiating (contracts) to organizing (Workers) to settling grievances’ (with employers).  ‘He was always there for CWA’s Members.’  I remember him working through a one-year Strike at the New Era Hat Company here ‘and talking with him every single week’ (during that time).  ‘In the end, the CWA won that Strike.’  He was a ‘very sophisticated, bright and thoughtful’ Labor Leader ‘with a wonderful sense of humor.’  He had a’ very dry sense of humor that defused many a tense situation.’”    

CWA Local 1168 President Cori Anne Gambini posted the following on Facebook: David A. Palmer you will be missed.  You taught me a great deal about the Labor Movement and how to be a strong Union Representative and a Social Justice Activist.  Even during difficult times, you always found a way to make me laugh so hard, my face and abdomen would actually hurt.

Gambini later texted WNYLaborToday.com with the comment: "Dave was a wonderful Labor Leader.  I learned a great deal from him about being a leader.  He taught me to always listen first and to always err on the side of the Member - and not management.  I enjoyed working with him and even during the hardest and most stressful times, he could make you laugh.  When Dave left the CWA, I missed him a great deal.  My heart breaks for his family and close friends.  This is a big loss for so many people.  Until we meet again Dave Palmer - rest easy, job well done."

But one recollection in particular, shared by current CWA District 1 Area Director Deb Hayes, was extremely touching and underscored the humanity Palmer showed for his fellow CWAers.

Hayes (Pictured Above With Palmer At A Buffalo Bills Football Game/Photo Courtesy of Hayes) told WNYLaborToday.com about her story of going through a personal rough patch, when her daughters, who were at the time 12, put pressure on her for their family to get a dog.

“I ‘really didn’t want’ a dog,” said Hayes who was gently counseled by her good friend Palmer, who told her: “To ‘relax, that everything would be fine.’  Then he gave me the name of a farm where we went to see some Jack Russel Terriers.  There was this little white dog, about eight weeks old ‘with his tiny paw on the cage he was in, looking at us.’  That was ‘our’ dog.  We named him ‘Willie Mays Hayes’ and had him for seventeen years.  ‘He was always at my side and was never far from me.’  ‘He became part of me.’  ‘I will never forget’ (Palmer’s encouraging words).  ‘If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t have been pointed in the right direction.’”

Added Hayes, her voice cracking with emotion: “I ‘will never, ever forget Dave.’  ‘He just wasn’t a Co-Worker.’  He was a ‘friend.’  ‘I will miss his sense of humor and his laugh.’  ‘He was something special and he was a good man, a loving spouse and good family man.’”

Palmer, who was 73 and a U.S. Naval Veteran, passed on Thursday (July 13th). 

He was married to his wife, Susan, for 52 years and was the devoted father of his children, Ian and Chris, as well as a loving Grandfather of four.

Palmer was a Master Plumber in Elmira, working at the Arnot Ogden Medical Center, before becoming a Member of CWA Local 1111 - the first Health Care Bargaining Unit in the CWA, according to Hayes. 

He rose in the ranks to become Local 1111’s Executive Director before becoming a Staff Representative for the CWA regionally in the mid-90s. 

Palmer became the CWA Area Director in 2000, a job he held until 2012.

“He ‘wasn’t your average’ Union Rep,” Hayes said.  “He ‘loved working with our Members and he dedicated his life to always treating people respectfully.’  He was a ‘firm advocate for’ CWA Members.  ‘And he left legacies, great accomplishments.’  He founded a Credit Union for our Members in Elmira ‘that is now grown into a multi-billion-dollar fund.’  He ‘helped found the Health Science Charter School’ (in Buffalo) and was President Emeritus.  ‘And he was heavily involved’ in the Clara L. Allen Leadership School, which prepared CWA Leaders of the future.”

After his retirement, Palmer played prominent roles in the Erie County Department of Personnel and then as former Erie County Commissioner of Labor Relations, where he would sit on the other side of the bargaining table when negotiating contracts with the County’s Public Employee Unions.

“The ‘big difference between bargaining on the Public Sector side is that you are concerned with taxpayer dollars,’” former WNYALF President Lipsitz said.  “(Palmer) once told me he saw it as ‘mutual gains’ bargaining.”

Hayes said she was aware that a number of Representatives and Members of the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) have also posted comments on Social Media following the announcement of Palmer’s passing to say “what a consummate professional” he was at the bargaining table.

“I ‘don’t know of anyone who didn’t like him,’” she added.

Former CWA Local 1122 President Mudie said: “Dave ‘touched so many lives in our community.’  He was a ‘solid Union Guy for sure.’  ‘I am going to miss him.’”

Above Photo Courtesy Of Dave Palmer's Facebook Page.