Union activist, News labor reporter Helen Fogel dies

(Photo: Family photo)

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2015/05/31/obit-helen-fogel-detroit-news-union-guild/28280255/

Kyla Smith, The Detroit News 8:15 p.m. EDT May 31, 2015

Helen Fogel, a labor pioneer and former Detroit News staff writer who played a key role in negotiating the first union contract for the newspaper’s editorial staff, was known as a fearless leader and trusted journalist.

Ms. Fogel, who worked at The News as a labor reporter, died Saturday, May 16, 2015, of pneumonia at a nursing home in Pasadena, California. She was 84.

“Helen was a real legend,” said Susan Whitall, pop culture, music and books writer at The News. “She was very helpful and had a lot of sources. She knew everyone.”

Lou Mleczko, a former News staff writer and retired president and administrative officer of the Newspaper Guild of Detroit, said Ms. Fogel didn’t let anyone intimidate her.

FULL story at link.