Page 20 - LiUNA LOCAL 506 100th Years

100 YEARS OF JUSTICE,
On November 14,
1919
a group of Labourers founded Local
506 under the banner of the Hod
Carriers’ Building and Common
Laborers’ Union. Samuel Tiller Garland
was elected as first President. John
York became Vice president; Edward
Anthony, Recording Secretary; Fred
Pipe, Financial Secretary; Edward
Picton, Correspondence Secretary;
Albert Whitley, Treasurer; Thomas
Skinner, Sergeant at Arms and James
Parrott, Guard. They were all of Scottish
and Irish descent.
Their mandate
was to organize
the unorganized.
In those years’, workers worked in con-
ditions that were less than safe and for
wages less than fair. Since the begin-
ning, the new Executive Board of Local
506 recognized the compelling need for
these underpaid and overworked indi-
viduals to band together in Strength and
Unity.
The 1920s roared along, fueled by a
mining boom that saw Bay Street turned
into a veritable gold-rush alley, where
everyone was pushing something hot.
The Great Depression followed, inflict-
ing 30% unemployment in 1933. The
only distraction from its bleakness was
the opening of the Maple Leaf Gardens
in 1931, one, of the first big projects
involving LiUNA Local 506’s members.
Following World War II, organized la-
bour experienced a rebirth and mem
HONOUR AND STRENGTH
bership grew. Construction jobs were NA Local 506’s commitment to provid- crease financial stability for our Local.
plentiful, and unionized Labourers ing formal education led to the creation Carmen’s commitment and outstanding
began to see their wages increase and of a Training Centre. Many improve- service has improved the work environ-
their standards of living improved. The ments have also been made to the health ment and the lives of working families.
demand for new housing, schools, hos- and safety standards, wages, benefits He is a man who has earned respect
pitals and churches created a boom for and pension. and honour through his determination
the Labourers. Among Local 506’s accomplishments, and loyalty he has given to LIUNA, the
In the 1950s and 60s, new immigrants Carmen is responsible for establishing Members of Local 506 and the commu-
arrived from Italy and in the 1960s and a Scholarship Awards Program for the nity at-large. For this we commend him!
70s, an influx of immigrants from Por- Sons and Daughters of our Members to 100 years later, as LIUNA Local 506
tugal changed the ethnic composition support working families pursuing post- continues to grow,
of Local 506. In the 1980s and 90s secondary education and has provided
new immigrants from Poland, Africa more than four hundred thousand dol- the challenge is
and South America joined the multicul- lars to help fulfill the educational dreams to ensure that
tural ranks of our Union. It can proudly of students.
be said, that Local 506, is now ONE of In 1992, an annual charity bocce ball its’ members
the most multicultural Unions in North tournament was created. In 1998, it will always have
America. was renamed to the Nick Barbieri An-
Gone but not forgotten, are the first nual Charity Bocce Ball Tournament, a Union that
and Scotland who were the pioneers of held the position of Secretary-Treas- is strong and
generations of members from Ireland in memory of the late Nick Barbieri who
LiUNA Local 506 had its’ dark days, are donated to various charities. Since proud.
the Local.
urer of Local 506. All proceeds raised
when a revolt erupted from inside in the inception, we have donated over The Executive Board of Local 506 will
the mid 80s and forced the Local under one million dollars supporting critical continue to carry on this proud tradi-
trusteeship. The members were able to needs. The goal is to make each village tion for decades to come! It’s a big ac-
regain control of the Local in 1986, by feel like a community, and each home complishment for the working class, for
electing Carmen Principato’s team. The feel like a family. a Union to be around 100 years and still
promise of Principato, who has been From about 140 founding members, striving.
Business Manager since, was clear: LIUNA Local 506 has extended to We consider ourselves grateful to be a
“We’ll make this Local Union stronger its’ current membership of more than member of one of the greatest Unions
than ever.” 8,000. More mergers and organizing on earth.
While keeping an eye on the future, Lo- have brought other sectors, from exhibit We will proudly continue to carry out
cal 506 has not forgotten the past. Since and display to hospitality and waste man- the responsibilities entrusted to us and
1989, we have created a Recreation agement into the LIUNA Local 506’s we look forward to continuing to stand
Centre for our Retired Members who family. We will continue to organize together and build a stronger LiUNA!
gave a lifetime of hard work and loyalty and diversify in order to establish more Feel the Power!
to our great Local Union. As well, LiU- opportunities for our members and in-