Thousands of IUPAT Members Volunteer on Community Projects in Cities Across the U.S. and Canada on April 16

HANOVER, Md., April 16, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- 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.

Visit www.IUPAT.org for local stories and pictures from the IUPAT Community Day of Action.

The International Union of Painters and Allied Trades represents men and women in the United States and Canada who work in the Finishing Trades – commercial and industrial painting, drywall finishing, glazing and glass work, sign and display and floor covering installation, among other crafts. Learn more about the IUPAT at www.IUPAT.org and follow us on Twitter @GoIUPAT.

SOURCE International Union of Painters and Allied Trades

Related Links

http://www.iupat.org