Those of us who have union jobs know what a difference union training and representation can make in your life. But for those outside the Labor Movement, those looking to develop the skills for a good job and an opportunity to succeed, it can be hard to get started.
St. Louis Emerging Labor Leaders (StELL) is hoping to make the connection for job seekers and those interested in joining a trades union with a Labor fair on July 30 at the Ferguson Community Center.
Attendees will have a chance to meet apprenticeship instructors and representatives from local unions who can help set them on the path to entering an apprenticeship program and developing the qualifications they need to get into a program.
“It’s not a job fair it is a Labor fair to educate the community about Labor and how to obtain a good labor job,” said StELL President Gordon Smith Jr. (CWA 6300). “There’s a high chance that the people who come to our fair will have an opportunity to sit down in one of these classrooms eventually. The chance may come to them that day or a little bit down the line when they’re a little more qualified.
“Our goal is to educate the community about unions and union membership and give them the opportunity to reach out and try to grab one of these jobs, and help them find out the education you need to try to obtain one of these jobs,” Smith said
PARTICIPATING UNIONS
Smith said 19 unions and Labor organizations have made donations or committed to having representatives on hand for the Labor fair. They include:
- American Postal Workers Union Local 8
- Bricklayers Local 1
- Cement Masons Local 527
- CWA Local 6300
- IAFF Local 2665
- IBEW Local 1
- Iron Workers Local 396
- Laborers Local 110
- Machinists Lodge 1345
- Machinists District 9
- Missouri AFL-CIO
- Painters and Allied Trades District Council 58
- Roofers Local 2
- SEIU Local 1
- Sheet Metal Workers 36
- St. Louis Building & Construction Trades Council
- St. Louis CWA City Council
- St. Louis Labor Council
- Unite Here Local 74
EVERY UNION INVITED
Smith is inviting every union in the St. Louis area to send a representative to the Labor fair prepared to describe what it takes to get into the union, what education is needed, how to get into an apprenticeship program and what will be expected.
Table space is free for unions that want to participate.
AD BOOK
StELL is putting together an ad book that will be provided to Labor fair attendees with contact information to help them get started.
Ad space is being offered at $200 for a full-page, $150 for a half-page and $100 for a business card ad to help defray the costs.
Make checks payable to St. Louis Labor Council and write StELL Fair in the memo line.
MORE INFORMATION
For more information, contact Smith at gsmith@cwa6300.org or call 314-593-5513.
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