community,” Port Maritime Council of Southern California President
Larry Barragan kicked off a Labor Day of giving in Wilmington, CA.
Barragan, who also serves as chair of the Los Angeles/Long Beach
Harbor Labor Coalition, worked with the Los Angeles County Federation
of Labor and its Labor Community Services to host a food drive in
place its annual Labor Day parade.
Volunteers reported at 5 a.m. to set up tents and more than 30 tons of
food for 3,500 families – some of whom waited in their vehicles for
more than two hours. According to Barragan, each family received 20
pounds of chicken, 20 pounds of produce, 20 pounds of dry goods and 20
pounds of cheeses. For those who needed them, union members also had
diapers available.
Barragan noted the labor community came together when the parade was
cancelled after 40 years because of the coronavirus pandemic to
sponsor and run the drive-through food bank.
“We decided to give back to the community rather than stay at home,” he stated.
“We are feeding not only union households, but also non-union
households,” added event vice chair and PMC Secretary-Treasurer Louie
Diaz.
Port Councils and Labor Federation affiliates were joined by members
of the Los Angeles-Orange County Building Trades as well as numerous
elected officials including US Reps. Maxine Waters (D-CA) and Nanette
Barragan (D-CA) and former US Labor Secretary (currently Los Angeles
County Supervisor) Hilda Solis.