In an effort to help union members who would like to consider running for a community office in the Spring 2022 elections, the Missouri AFL-CIO is sponsoring a training session to help them win.
If you’ve ever thought of running for a school board, for example, or know a union brother or sister who would consider running for a local office, you need to tune into this exciting new program.
An in-person St. Louis training program will be held Saturday, Dec. 11 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the LeadMo office, 3407 Jefferson Ave. However, virtual programs will be held on Dec. 14, 15 and 16 from 6-7:30 p.m. To sign up, email Missouri AFL-CIO Political Director Stephen Webber at swebber@moaflcio.org.
In its announcement of the program, the Missouri AFL-CIO points out several examples of the value of union members running for local offices:
- Want to make sure teachers get a fair deal and new schools are built by local contractors? Local school boards make those decisions.
- Want to make sure good-paying jobs are attracted to your area and the local factory doesn’t close? City Councils can help with that.
UNION MEMBERS WHO HAVE BECOME POLITICAL LEADERS
Some of our area’s most recognized political leaders had humble starts:
- State Treasurer Clint Zweifel (Teamsters Local 688) started as a state representative.
- Former Senate Minority Leader and Missouri State Building Trades Council President Gina Walsh (Asbestos Workers Local 1) started on the Riverview Fire Board.
- Senator Doug Beck (Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 562) started on the Affton School Board.
- Former Senator Tim Green (IBEW Local 1) started as a state representative.
- AFL-CIO President Jacob Hummel (IBEW Local 1) started as the principal-appointed 5th-grade hall monitor.
“Running for a local office helps candidates build the skills and networks necessary to successfully run for higher offices in years to come,“ Webber stressed.
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