Jim Drabant says he’s on a mission for the younger generation
By SHERI GASSAWAY
Correspondent
Jim Drabant understands the importance of unions. They help set the standards for education and skills, wages, working conditions and quality of life for all workers.
Following in his father’s footsteps, he joined Bricklayers Local 1 in 1954. In his 38 years with the Bricklayers, he was active in his union and even served as recording secretary. Two of his sons are also union members – one is a postal worker and the other is a cement finisher.
Like many others in the Labor Movement, Drabant’s heart broke when he learned that so-called “right-to-work” had been signed into law by Missouri Governor (and political coward) Eric Greitens. But news of the Citizens’ Referendum petition to repeal the destructive anti-union law provided him with hope, and he jumped into action.
Drabant went through training to be a signature gatherer when the class was offered last spring. Since then, the 82-year-old has been collecting signatures for the petition, day after day, at the Arnold Shop ’n Save and the Post Office on Telegraph Road in South County.
‘ALL ABOUT MONEY AND GREED’
“I’m against the anti-worker attacks going on in the legislature, and I’m doing this for the younger generation,” Drabant said. “Our governor is a piece of work who’s all about money and greed.”
John Hopkin, Local 1’s secretary-treasurer, commended Drabant’s dedication and energy in stopping “right-to-work.”
“We recently notarized about 10 pages of signatures Jim collected,” Hopkin said. “He’s truly an inspiration. He’s 82 years old and goes out every day to collect signatures to stop ‘right-to-work’ for the younger guys.”
JOIN THE FIGHT
If you would like to join in the fight against the phony “right-to-work” and help collect signatures on the Citizens’ Referendum petition, visit wearemo.org or call 855-218-9825.
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