Labor Participation

The Department of Labor Participation, AFL-CIO Community Services, with assistance from United Way of San Diego County, provides emergency assistance to union members experiencing hardships.  The department provides assistance with food, security deposits, prescription drugs, bus tokens and unemployment claims and periodically for rent (DNR) and mortgage and utilities (DNR).

For an appointment, contact us at (619) 641-0074.

San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council Annual Food & Toy Drive

Rain Doesn’t Dampen the Giving Spirit
By Ruby Featherly
Labor Participation

Over 300 union volunteers and United Way staff braved two days of driving rain in Qualcomm’s parking lot December 20th and 21st to distribute 38,500 lbs of food. Turkeys, potatoes, stuffing, cranberries, and assorted canned and dry goods went to 450 out-of-work union members and their families. Kaiser Physicians & Pharmacy employees and local labor leaders donated 200 bicycles, NASCAR donated race car sets, and other union members donated a total of 1800 toys collected over recent months.


Teamsters Local 36 provided the trucks, forklifts, and drivers. Teamsters Local 683 transported 1,000 loaves of bread, freshly baked and donated by Bimbo's Bakery, through the efforts of Bakers Union Local 315. Teamsters Local 542 donated drivers, and representatives from 83 locals affiliated with the San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council showed up over the two days it took to stage and distribute the goods.
 
It never stopped raining over the two days, but it did not dampen the spirit of the volunteers, labor council staff or Labor Participation staff even though everyone was thoroughly and literally soaked. In fact, the San Diego River which is adjacent to the stadium parking lot breeched the 2nd day and as the stadium parking lot began to fill with water, a river formed in the area between the lines of cars waiting to enter and the food distribution area. Eventually the depth reached 2 feet and about forty feet wide. Stadium officials were forced to cut off the event with about 45 cars still in line. We walked that line of cars and made arrangements for those few to receive their food and toys the next day at our offices. Yes......it was still raining the next day, but the staff got everyone served.