Len Shindel, Author at Baltimore Post-Examiner

Len Shindel began working at Bethlehem Steel’s Sparrows Point Plant in 1973, where he was a union activist and elected representative in local unions of the United Steelworkers, frequently publishing newsletters about issues confronting his co-workers. His nonfiction and poetry have been published in the “Other Voices” section of the Baltimore Evening Sun, The Pearl, The Mill Hunk Herald, Pig Iron, Labor Notes and other publications. After leaving Sparrows Point in 2002, Shindel, a father of three and grandfather of seven, began working as a communication specialist for an international union based in Washington, D.C. The International Labor Communications Association frequently rewarded his writing. He retired in 2016. Today he enjoys writing, cross-country skiing, kayaking, hiking, fly-fishing, and fighting for a more peaceful, sustainable and safe world for his grandchildren and their generation. Shindel is currently working on a book about the Garrett County Roads Workers Strike of 1970 www.garrettroadstrike.com.

Math Fright

August 3, 2019August 4, 2019 Len Shindel

I have always been frightened by math. 8,473 km, 5,264.878 miles between Amazon rain forests, Greenland ice sheets.

Len Shindel Poetry

Fingers

March 23, 2019March 22, 2019 Len Shindel

Raspy cough, white bathrobe, fingers reaching for your ivory coffee mug, red lipstick on the rim, fingers, slender and strong

Len Shindel Poetry

Mill Memorabilia

March 22, 2019March 22, 2019 Len Shindel

Feature photo: Members of United Steelworkers Local 2609 at Bethlehem Steel’s Sparrows Point Plant hold a “tailgate” meeting at Penwood

Len Shindel Literature Poetry

Buddy Bantum

January 22, 2019January 22, 2019 Len Shindel

I began working at Bethlehem Steel’s Sparrows Point Plant in 1973. I had graduated high school in 1968 in Connecticut

Len Shindel Poetry

Bernie

January 9, 2019January 9, 2019 Len Shindel

Photo used under a Creative Commons license from flickr user Jasperdo In the 1970s, I was living in Waverly, near

Blogs This Old Anvil

Elise Bryant: Labor’s Sister of Hope

January 7, 2019January 7, 2019 Len Shindel

Artwork by Mike Konopacki “Next time someone asks you about the labor movement rather than explaining it, introduce them to Elise

Blogs This Old Anvil

Reflections on the 116th Congress

December 15, 2018December 15, 2018 Len Shindel

Photo used under a Creative Commons license from flickr user Alvin Feng. When I was 12 years old, I traveled

Len Shindel Literature Poetry

Mac

August 9, 2018 Len Shindel

Mac peered over his machine. His frantic foreman missed the wiser-than-you’ll-ever-be smile. Mac was never disrespectful. But nobody messed

Len Shindel Literature Poetry

Coalescence

July 30, 2018July 30, 2018 Len Shindel

I peel leaf-colored clumps from my shovel. The clay carries memories, art class, wonders of the kiln, the rabbi’s head

Len Shindel Literature Poetry

We’ll Be Fine

June 8, 2018June 9, 2018 Len Shindel

The presidential scholar drips delicate fingers down his chin. With smooth, white, Ivy-infused certitude, he promises. Our institutions are strong.