Did you know that September 4-10 is officially Labor Week in the City of Savannah, Georgia? Savannah Mayor Van Johnson announced the honor recently at Savannah’s August City Council meeting. He explained that it is a testament to the seven Local Unions who have served Savannah for more than 100 years: IATSE 320; IAM 23; IUOE 474, BBF 26, Carpenters 256, UA 188, and ILA 1414.
Group Photo, pictured left to right: Yvonne Brooks, Georgia AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer; Brett Hulme, SECRC Communications and Political Director; Meddy Settles, SECRC Council President and Business Manager of Savannah Carpenters Local 256; Carpenter apprentice Sean Presburg; Christi Hulme, President of the Savannah Regional Central Labor Council; Robert Jeffers, Millwright Local 2411 Business Agent; Carpenter apprentice Curtis Watson; Charlie Fleming, Georgia AFL-CIO President; and Wade Herring, candidate for Georgia Congressional District 1.
SECRC President and Savannah Carpenters Local 256 Business Manager Meddy Settles
Mayor Johnson presented a commemorative plaque to leaders of the Savannah Regional Central Labor Council along with a proclamation for Labor’s accomplishments and successes that all workers enjoy. In attendance were labor leaders from the Office & Professional Employees Union, Air Traffic Controllers, Iron Workers, Teamsters, Amalgamated Transit Union, International Longshoreman’s Association, Millwrights, Carpenters and the Georgia AFL-CIO.
The Mayor also recognized two carpenter apprentices from Local 256 in attendance who are residents of Savannah and who worked on the new Enmarket Arena; the City’s largest capital project ever, as examples of the “Savannah First Initiative”.
A feature story about how years of political and organizing efforts in Savannah eventually put 100+ members to work on the Arena project is featured in the latest issue of Carpenter Magazine. Read about this historic project by clicking here.