Christensen Retires, Ellis Named Director of Communications
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13 Sep Christensen Retires, Ellis Named Director of Communications

Posted at 09:09h in International Union by

After 27 years with the International Union, Corrina Christensen, Director of Public Relations and Communications, retired on July 1.

Christensen was hired as a publications coordinator and assistant editor by International President Frank Hurt in 1998. She was later named Director of Internal Communications, a position she held until being appointed to the Director of Public Relations and Communications in 2001, following the retirement of Carolyn Jacobson.

A third generation Union member, Christensen began her career as a trade unionist in 1991 as a videographer with the United Auto Workers (UAW) in Detroit, Mich. She went on to serve as an assistant editor at the Seafarers International Union (SIU) for six years before coming to work at the BC&T.

In reflecting on Christensenโ€™s contributions to the BCTGM, International President Anthony Shelton notes, โ€œCorrinaโ€™s passion for telling the stories of our BCTGM members is second to none. She has an enormous amount of respect for the work they do, and it shows.โ€

Throughout her career, in addition to serving as the Assistant Editor of the BCTGM News, Christensen led the expansion of the BCTGMโ€™s communications to online and email resources. She also led special video development and oversaw the production of seven BCTGM Constitutional Conventions. Her work covered the high profile Strikes at Earthgrains (2000), Hostess (2012), Nabisco (2021) and Kelloggโ€™s (2021); Lockouts at American Crystal Sugar (2012) and Kelloggโ€™s (2014); countless organizing campaigns and dozens of creative feature stories about BCTGM members at work and in their communities.

Christensen (right) on the BCTGM L. 3G (Battle Creek, Mich.) Kellogg Strike line in 2021, with Intl. Rep. Lisa Gregory (left) and L. 3G member Sharnita Childress (center).

Christensen wrote and disseminated online actions which drove petition signatures on many important legislative measures. This work included the SAVE OUR PENSION campaign, which enabled thousands of BCTGM activists to email members of Congress urging them to take action to help preserve multiemployer pension plans like the B&C Industry Pension Fund.

Michelle Ellis, who has served as the BCTGMโ€™s Director of Digital Media since 2012, was appointed to assume the position of Director of Communications upon Christensenโ€™s retirement.

Ellis was hired as a Communications Assistant by International President David B. Durkee in 2009, after working as an intern under Christensen and completing her Bachelorโ€™s Degree in Advertising at the Art Institute of Washington. Prior to joining the professional staff, Ellis held administrative jobs in the membership and accounting departments at the International Union.

โ€œMichelle has worked in every department of this International Union, and learned the ropes of labor communications for more than a decade under Corrina. This is a seamless transition and I trust Michelle to keep our members, families and affiliates informed as we move forward with the work of this great Union,โ€ concludes Shelton.

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