Labor Tug-O-War to benefit Rebuilding Together, defeat Prop A is Aug. 4

Sponsors needed for fundraising effort

By MARY ANN HOLLEY

Correspondent

St. Peters, MO – Rockwood Labor Club and Tri-County Labor Club are bringing back their popular Labor Tug-O-War again this year with a reminder to Vote NO on Proposition A to defeat so-called “right-to-work.”

This year’s competition will be held Saturday, Aug. 4, at 370 Lakeside Park in St. Peters, MO, just three days before the vote to defeat Prop A (“right-to-work”).

Vote NO on Prop A on Aug. 7 to defeat RTW.

TUG BEFORE YOU VOTE

The event, the Saturday before the Prop A vote, will serve as a campaign rally of sorts, reminding everyone to pull together to defeat Prop. A (RTW) at the polls.

The local vs. local Tug-O-War is open to all locals in Missouri and Southern Illinois.

“This will be a Tug-O-War and family picnic to get everyone enthused about the vote. We’re hoping to have a huge turnout and urge local unions to enter a team,” said Event Chairman and Rockwood Labor Club President Marty McClimens, a member of Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 562.

Ron Arbuthnot, a Local 562 member with Tri-County Labor Club, said the Missouri Legislature’s decision to move the Prop A vote to the Aug. 7 primary election, when traditionally fewer voters turn out at the polls, should motivate union members, their families and friends to pull for working families and get out the vote.

“We’ve been going door-to-door, now let’s shake up each other and make sure every union family votes ‘No’ on Aug. 7,” Arbuthnot said. “With the election three days after the tug-o-war, voting should be fresh on everyone’s for the Tuesday election.”

FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

The day’s activities will include:

• A double elimination contest with medals going to the top four teams and the winner taking home the coveted traveling Greg Booth/Dee Sprayberry Memorial Crystal Trophy, named after the late IBEW Local 1 Business Manager Greg Booth and late Operating Engineers Local 513 veteran Business Representative Dee Sprayberry.

• A family picnic with food provided by the labor clubs and drinks provided by local unions.

• A kids tug-o-war and other kid’s activities, with candy and other prizes for all participants.

• Fun and excitement will abound as union members and their families cheer on their big and little champions.

BENEFITS REBUILDING TOGETHER

In addition to generating excitement about the RTW vote, the event will benefit Rebuilding Together St. Louis, which has long counted on the skills and generosity of union members and unions’ signatory contractors to provide needed home repairs for seniors, low-income homeowners and people with disabilities who cannot afford to make repairs on their own.

“Rebuilding Together is a tremendous community betterment program that we’re proud to be a part of,” McClimens said. “The more teams and unions involved, the bigger the turnout the better.”

SPONSORS NEEDED

Sponsors are greatly needed to support the fundraising effort.

To be a sponsor, or for more information about the tug-o-war, contact Marty McClimens with Rockwood Labor Club at 314-920-1404 or email  mcclimens@local562.org; or Ron Arbuthnot with Tri-County Labor Club at 314-393-4578 or email rarbuthnot@local562.