Labor made the difference in this election

By Fabrizio Sasso
Executive Director, Sacramento CLC

By the time you receive this issue, the election will be over—but we may still be waiting for votes to be counted, both on the national front and here in Sacramento.

I don’t know what the results will be, but I do know this: Labor gave 200%. We organized, we canvassed, we called, and we fought. I am so thankful and proud of everyone at the Sacramento Central Labor Council and our allies and friends who went above and beyond in this election. So many of you took time away from family and friends, from work and social life, to ensure that our voices were heard in this critical moment. That is union power and union might, the boots on the ground who put our values into action. Typically, union members vote at a 10% higher rate than average and that’s not by accident. It’s because we educate and engage, not only with our own members, which is crucial, but wherever we are needed.

I especially want to call out the California Federation of Teachers and IBEW, which both allowed members to work full-time on the election for weeks. That is the kind of union commitment that makes a difference and ensures we have that all-important seat at the table by electing politicians that share our commitment to working families.

I also want to thank the dozens of people who joined us to knock on doors in Reno. As many of you know, it was Bill Camp’s last request to the SCLC that we do this in honor of him and I am happy to say we had a tremendous turnout and a good time. Because as Bill loved to say, “Remember, We’re having fun!” We knocked on more than 3,000 doors and hopefully helped turn the tide toward Kamala Harris in that swing state.

And now that the election is done, the Labor Council is turning its efforts toward ensuring our members are prepared for happy holidays. Although this year has been an improvement over the past few, there are still union families struggling to make ends meet.

Each year, the Labor Council works with IBEW on Operation Christmas Basket, which donates gifts and food to union families. You can read more about it on the front page, but I hope you’ll help us out with time or donations this year. I can’t tell you how satisfying it is to give these baskets out to our community members, knowing we are helping their children receive presents and ensuring there is a special meal to celebrate.

The Labor Council also hosts an annual party with gifts and treats for children with disabilities at the Ralph Richardson school. Our union-member Mr. and Mrs. Claus ride in on a union fire truck, and it’s a great event that we have been doing for 50 years.

So please, join us in helping to make the holidays special for our union families.

Because Labor really is a family, we do look out for each other. That is the core of our strength, and something for all of us to celebrate this holiday season.