The 2012 winner of the MFL Al Cerilli Scholarship was presented with a $500 cheque at the September 27th meeting of the MFL Executive Council.

Along with MFL President Kevin Rebeck, Brother Al Cerilli, the scholarship’s namesake, was on hand to make the presentation to Gabriel Bako, a member of UFCW local 832. Brother Bako works at Safeway and is studying Labour Studies at the 

University of Manitoba. His union activism includes serving as a shop steward, participating in the UFCW National Youth Internship Program, sitting on the UFCW Advisory Board, working as a relief representative for his local, representing his union at Winnipeg Labour Council, and serving on the CLC Youth Advisory Committee. Brother Bako has also been active in electoral politics.

The MFL Al Cerilli Scholarship is awarded annually to a young member of an MFL affiliated union who is enrolled in a recognized post-secondary education program. The MFL Young Members Committee selects the winner on the basis of their record of activism and commitment to the labour movement.

Established in 2010, the scholarship is named for Brother Cerilli in recognition of his many years of commitment and service to the labour movement. Past winners have been Jonny Sopotiuk (CUPE Local 3909) and Daria Hrytsay (COPE Local 342).

Information about applications for next year’s scholarship will be posted to the MFL website by March 2013.