Union Breakfast set for Oct. 16 at United Way in Kennewick

KENNEWICK — The labor movement in the Tri-Cities area is stepping up its partnership between the United Way of Benton & Franklin Counties, the Southeast Central Labor Council AFL-CIO, Hanford Atomic Metal Trades Council (HAMTC), and Central Washington Building Trades to “advance the common good through increased community engagement opportunities for Union members and their families to actively volunteer and support our community.”

So reads a letter from local labor leaders urging area union members to attend — and area union locals to help sponsor — a special Union Breakfast on Wednesday, Oct. 16 from 7 to 8:30 a.m. at the United Way building, 401 N. Young St. in Kennewick.

April Sims, Secretary Treasurer of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, will be the keynote speaker.

The individual cost is $25 and the Southeast Central Labor Council has generously underwritten the cost of the breakfast, so ALL proceeds and union sponsorships will go to fund local United Way programs. (Download the event flier for more details or go ahead and register here.)

Here is the letter sent to area unions urging their support of this important event:

Here in the Tri-Cities, United Way and the Labor movement share a common vision of prosperous, inclusive, diverse and safe communities, where every member of the community has access to a quality public education, fair wages, productive work opportunities and accessible, affordable, quality health care.

Through a reimagined partnership that calls for greater collaboration and advocacy on issues of importance to working families and our community, the United Way of Benton & Franklin Counties and Southeast Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Hanford Atomic Metal Trades Council (HAMTC) & Central Washington Building Trades advance the common good through increased community engagement opportunities for Union members and their families to actively volunteer and support our community.

The above Labor Organizations are proud to support the United Way of Benton & Franklin Counties campaign and we encourage local Unions and Union members to improve the quality of life for every person in every community through giving to your United Way.

We also invite you to attend the Union Breakfast being held at United Way of Benton & Franklin Counties on Wednesday, October 16th with registration starting at 7am, to hear more about your local community and Union engagement. A donation of $300 at the Gold Level comes with six tickets, a banner at the event and recognition at the event. Unions that donate at the Platinum Level of $500 receive additional recognition (see flyer for details). The cost of the Breakfast has been underwritten by a generous donation of the Southeast Central Labor Council so that all proceeds will go directly to United Way funded local programs.

In solidarity,

Randy Walli, Business Manager, UA 598

Jesus Alvarez, President, Southeast Central Labor Council, Teamsters Local 839

Kayne Segura, Business Manager, Laborers Local 348

Kolby Hanson, Business Manager-FST, Sheet Metal Workers Union Local #55

Jeff McDaniel, President, HAMTC

Russel Shjervan, Secretary-Treasurer, Teamsters Local 839

Nickolas A. Bumpaous, President, Central Washington Building Trades Council

Eric Renner, President, UFCW 1439

Travis Swayze, Business Manager, IBEW 112