UNIONS LEND HELPING HAND IN NORTHLAND

Millions of Americans don’t have enough to eat, are falling behind on housing payments or have had trouble paying their bills. And millions of Americans are lapsing into poverty. As the coronavirus surges again across the nation, the fragile economic recovery is showing more cracks. The pace of job growth has slowed and more people are filing for unemployment for the first time. Unions stepped up to meet the need of local families by hosting a food drive along with Kansas City 1st District at Large Councilman, Kevin O’Neill. Union members continue to spread holiday cheer through their donations and volunteering. Our communities are better places because of our amazing union families.

O’Neill who represents the 1st District as well as the entire city in his position as an at-large councilman, contacted members of labor to assist those in need in the Northland. Of course the Labor Community has been active in just about every community in the city, but the 1st District has yet to feel the helping hand of the Building trades Union.

“I literally made one call,” O’Neill stated, “And the next thing I know members of the Building Trades had committed over $8,000 to help feed over 200 northland children.”

Members of the Winnetonka football team helped labor prepare the bags for pickup and several volunteers from area labor unions placed sacks of groceries in cars as they arrived at the distribution point.

“I am often overwhelmed by the generosity of the members of the construction trades here in the area, but this really shows how committed our local tradesmen and women are to their communities and the pride they show in their work is often demonstrated by how much they give back,” O’Neill concluded.
Members who donated include, as of this edition, the Elevator Constructors Local 12; IBEW Local 124; Operative Plasterers & Cement Masons Local 518; Pipefitters Local 533; Operating Engineers Local 101; SMART Local 2; BAC Local 15; Heat & Frost Union local 27; Teamsters Local 541; Greater Kansas City Building Trades Council; St. Louis, Kansas City Carpenters Regional Council; Blake and Uhlig Law Firm; Roofers Local 20.
Sincere appreciation for their generous donations. Also, I am sure there will be others who donate after this deadline, so thank you to them as well.