Labor volunteers return for second year to help Chaska's "Christmas in May"
"Everybody work as a team", advised Robert Kidd, Painters Local 386 member, as he directed high school volunteers brandishing paint rollers and paint brushes. For the second year in a row, skilled union workers organized by the South Suburban Labor Council volunteered to assist Chaska's "Christmas in May" home fix-up event. This year's event drew more than 400 volunteers, including union members, community residents, high school students and Girl Scouts, who painted, performed home repairs, and did yard work. "I get to teach the kids how to paint, show them a little trades' skill", said Kidd, Elk River. "It's great being a union member and being able to give back to the community", said Nick Vevea, a member of Carpenters Local 851 who came to Chaska from Rogers to participate. "The unions are always about helping people and that's what we're doing". About 20 union volunteers from eight different unions participated, reported Gayle McMahon, organizer for the South Suburban Labor Council. Volunteers came from AFSCME, the Carpenters, Operating Engineers, Painters, Pipefitters, Sheet Metal Workers, Teamsters, and United Food and Commercial Workers. "It's a valuable way for us to show we're there, we're willing to help", said Steve Milner, chair of the South Suburban Labor Council and business agent for UFCW Local 653. "I was proud to be part of the organization and be part of the labor movement". "Skilled union labor is held in high regard by the volunteers who have been there a long time", noted Randy Maluchnik, Carver County Commissioner and longtime Christmas in May board member. "We're able to do a better job". "Everybody's here to have fun and get something accomplished", said Chaska mayor Gary Van Eyll. -Story by Steve Share, Minneapolis Labor Review »
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