Ralphine Magby (left) and Dave Hauck, who lead the Guild's Membership Assistance Program, will continue their training and education in Michigan Photo by John F. Bonfatti

LIFE EXPERIENCES GUIDE
GUILD MEMBER ASSISTANCE PROFESSIONALS

HELP WHEN TIMES ARE TOUGH

BY EMMA D. SAPONG

Though it was negatively affecting his performance at work, Southtowns District Manager Dave Hauck's battle with alcoholism was one he waged on his own.

And for years, Classified Advertising’s Ralphine Magby unsuccessfully fought her addiction to cocaine and prescription drugs alone, and it took a toll on her work.

While Magby was able to get drug abuse rehabilitation referrals from union stewards, Hauck sought help outside of the workplace.

Magby and Hauck might have taken different roads to sobriety but they teamed up two years ago to create an effective and comprehensive counseling referral program for union members and their families.

They serve as the volunteer coordinators of the Buffalo Newspaper Guild's Membership Assistance Program. Comparable to an Employee Assistance Program, it provides a slew of counseling services. It's also a part of the Labor Assistance Professionals, a network of union counseling programs in Western New York.

The program offers professional and confidential help for union members facing drug abuse, domestic violence, stress, financial and other problems in life.

The program was born out of Hauck's and Magby's desire to help their troubled co-workers after they became sober.

“We didn't have anything like this when I was going through my addiction,” Hauck said. “And that's why I started it. We've been there, and we can understand.”

Magby said she was grateful for the help she received in combating her six-year addiction, and wanted to reach out to others in similar situations.

“I wanted to help someone else, because I was able to get the help that I needed,” she said.

Magby and Hauck participate in ongoing training sessions to better assist union members. They have taken advantage of programs at the United Way and at Cornell University. And in a few months, they will travel to Black Lake, Mich., for a week of intense training at the U.A.W. training center. They plan to use their own vacation time for the trip.

“We are not fly-by-night,” Hauck said. “We are kept update on the most recent information.”

Hauck said they have been able to assist many union members with issues that range from bereavement to work-related stress to domestic violence.

Hauck and Magby have flexible schedules and are available to meet with union members at their convenience.

“The idea is to really show that we really care about them as individuals and as a Guild,” Hauck said.