Sprinkler Fitters pull in a fourth consecutive win at Labor Tug-O-War

$7,000 raised for Rebuilding Together St. Louis

By SHERI GASSAWAY

Correspondent

In a spirited, tug-fest that had the crowds roaring in excitement, Sprinkler Fitters Local 268 pulled its way to a fourth consecutive win at the Labor Tug-O-War Aug. 4, providing a brief respite in the campaign to defeat Prop A.

SMART Sheet Metal Workers Local 36 won second place, Gas Workers Local 11-6 took third and Laborers’ Local 660 won fourth in a spirited back-and-forth competition that had as much to do with determination as it did with sheer brute strength.

Other participating unions included Fire Fighters Local 2665, Glaziers Local 513, IBEW Local 1, Insulators Local 1, Iron Workers Local 396, Operating Engineers Local 513 and Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 562. See additional photos below.

The event, held just three days before the Aug. 7 election, served as a reminder for everyone to get out and Vote ‘NO’ on Prop A, and raised $7,000 for Rebuilding Together St. Louis, the union-supported program to help low-income elderly and disabled homeowners.

Marty McClimens, event chairman and Rockwood Labor Club president, said he was pleased with the turnout and estimated about 500 people attended the event at 370 Lakeside Park in St. Peters.

“There was a lot going on that day in terms of events,” said McClimens of Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 562. “I want to thank everyone who participated in the competition and who came out to cheer the teams on. I hope everyone had an enjoyable time.”

Prior to the Tug-O-War, several attendees took part in a door-to-door We Are Missouri Vote No on Prop A canvass, which began at the Tri-County Labor Club headquarters in St Charles. IBEW International President Lonnie Stephenson travelled to St. Louis to join the group in the effort.

Before the competition, guest speakers including Missouri AFL-CIO President Mike Louis, and United Association (UA) of Plumbers & Pipefitters General Secretary-Treasurer Pat Kellett, former business manager for Local 562, rallied the crowd to get them excited about voting NO on Prop A.

WINNING TEAMS

The Sprinks’ win allowed them to hold on to the 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.

OTHER FAMILY FUN EVENTS

In addition to the Labor Tug-O-War, the day also included a family picnic with hot dogs and hamburgers, a kids Tug-O-War and a Kids Fishing event in which the first 100 kids received a free rod and reel courtesy of the Labor clubs, the Missouri AFL-CIO and Pure Fishing.

SHARE YOUR PICS

The Union Sportsmen’s Alliance is asking with photos of the fishing tournament to share them through it’s Dropbox folder for the event at dropbox.com/sh/2h9lasul2fxtjbo/AAACSEfgpfe0KdNjM9v9yok
Ia?dl=0.

In addition, six children won free bikes in a raffle, sponsored by three Labor Clubs.

TUG-O-WAR HISTORY

This was the seventh Labor Tug-O-War in recent years. The last competition took place in 2015 and helped raise $10,000 for the $5 for the Fight fund to help out-of-work union members in need of financial assistance.

MORE PHOTOS

Here are some additional photos from the event.