The International Union of Painters and Allied Trades
Annual Community Day of Action Takes a Day to Give Back
On Saturday, April 16, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) members across the United States and Canada worked on projects to better their communities as a part of their annual IUPAT Community Day of Action.
Although the IUPAT has a long tradition of community service, the goal of the Community Day of Action was to come together as one union, on one day, to make a difference in the many communities in which IUPAT members live and work. The result was a great success as thousands of volunteers renovated shelters, community centers, youth athletic fields, and low income housing, and spearheaded food drives across North America. IUPAT groups also held educational forums on immigration, and workers’ rights on the job regarding wages and benefits.
“Today was a great day,” said IUPAT General President Kenneth Rigmaiden in Baltimore after lending a hand in cleaning and painting in a local neighborhood. “I was proud to see and hear about IUPAT and community volunteers coming together and working as one across the United States and Canada to make a difference in our communities. There’s more work to be done, but I think we’ve made it clear that we are up to the task, and we are looking forward to being an agent of change within our communities.”
Union members are more than advocates for fair wages, rights and benefits on the job. They are good neighbors in their communities. The IUPAT Community Day of Action is yet one more example of how organized labor is a positive force for working families – both union and non-union.
With hundreds of buckets of paint now empty, an abundance of windows replaced and repaired, dozens of neighborhoods and fields free of trash while sporting a new shine, and IUPAT neighbors now armed with the resources to start a new career in the Trades with full knowledge of their rights in the workplace, the members of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades and the Community Day of Action proved that powerful and lasting changes can be made in just one day when different groups unite to work together.
Take a look at what we’ve been working on for the IUPAT Day of Community Action in our District Councils around North America:
District Council 4 – In Angola, New York, members renovated the Pioneer Camp and Retreat Center with glazing, painting and finishing projects.
District Council 6 – In Cuyohoga Falls, Ohioa, IUPAT volunteers give the local YMCA a new shine.
District Council 9 – In Albany, New York, members clean and paint a local field.
In Suffolk, New York, members put a fresh coat on a local veterans center.
#IUPATgivesback supporting senior center in Brooklyn.
#IUPATgivesback Community Day of Action District Council 9 apprentices repaint the PortSide NewYork Mary A. Whalen, joined by Carlos Menchaca NY1 and theBrooklyn Eagle!
District Council 16 – In Northern California, IUPAT volunteers held a car show as a fundraiser to benefit the IUPAT Painters and Allied Trades for Children’s Hope Foundation. The rain didn’t discourage anyone’s dedication to #IUPATgivesback.
District Council 21 – Members in Philadelphia refurbished a local neighborhood school.
District Council 30 – In Aurora, IL, members put their skills to work to renovate local homes.
…and painting classrooms at the Crittention Center in Peioria, IL.
District Council 51 – In Baltimore, IUPAT members cleaned and repainted local neighborhoods.
District Council 77 – Volunteers from Local Union 57 in Fairfield, Alabama are happy to give up a Saturday and be a part of the IUPAT’s Community Day of action. #IUPAT #IUPATgivesback #1u
District Council 82 – Volunteers from IUPAT in Twin Cities painting home for disabled vet today, part of #IUPATgivesback day nationwide.
District Council 88 – In Houston, members renovated homes for Rebuilding Together program.
There is more news to come on the IUPAT Community Day of Action. Check back here soon for more pictures from around the U.S. and Canada.
Do you have pictures and stories of your IUPAT members giving back to your community? Share them with us via e-mail: CORE@iupat.org.