Unions are about family, community, and workers looking out for one another. In the Building Community section, we report on union volunteer work, charitable activity, and outreach in the community.
An organization created by unions—Workers Helping Workers—held its fourth food box distribution March 14, distributing over 1,400 food boxes.
March 11 will mark a year since COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic. The pandemic hit the local union movement highly unevenly.
When a pandemic and wildfires hit Oregon and Southwest Washington, LCSA distributed over $325,000 to 1,800 working class families.
Overcoming coronavirus restrictions, 50 unions participated in LCSA’s Presents for Partners, delivering $20,000 in food and gift cards.
The union parking lot became a winter wonderland, replacing a party the union has held for members and their kids and grandkids for 34 years.
Labor groups raised $9,135, enough to purchase 7,035 pounds of ham from union grocer Cascade Select Market for Meals on Wheels.
The Portland event, organized by Labor’s Community Service Agency, is expanding to Southern Oregon to help families devastated by wildfires.
The pandemic is impacting union holiday traditions. The Grotto and Elsinore events are cancelled, but ironworkers will hold a drive-up event.
The agency has given 700 families $125,000 in assistance through its Helping Hands Temporary Hardship Program since COVID-19 hit the region.
Oregon labor organizations have been working to connect members to resources.
