2021 LCLAA Conference

There was undeniable excitement at the IAMAW Lodge 66 Union Hall on Saturday morning. The Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA) is experiencing a rebirth in the Milwaukee Area. November 13th was the first LCLAA conference since 2018 and following the COVID pandemic.

Members from different unions and industries gathered together to share information, learn from one another, and build solidarity around issues impacting Latinx workers.

The day kicked off with a greeting from MALC President Pam Fendt and a video greeting from LCLAA National President Yanira Merino.

Participants gained new information on a breadth of topics including:

UFCW New American Citizenship Scholarship Program with Business Rep Ryan Contreras, UFCW 1473. UFCW provides an amazing resource to their members who are seeking American Citizenship and walks with them on every step of this journey. Being an American Citizen impacts working people in every aspect of their daily lives. Whether that be wage theft, fear of speaking up on working conditions, ICE raids and deportation, and more, all workers are protected by US Labor Law and should not face fear and intimidation.

IAMAW Winpisinger Center on union training and education from National IAMAW Staff Ines Garcia-Keim and Luis Silvas. Ines and Luis joined us from IAMAW National to bring a wealth of resources on the educational work IAMAW brings to their members and members of all unions. Their number one goal is to empower IAMAW members through skill building and training effective stewards and negotiators.

Common Sense Economics from National AFL-CIO Staff, Jocelyn Woodards. Jocelyn looked at what it means to have an economy that works for us truly means and how a union can benefit all workers, but especially Latinx workers.

Wage Theft: A Danger to Immigrant Workers from Victor Centeno, Construction Business Group and Ricardo Sanchez, IUPAT District Council 7. Victor and Ricardo presented eye opening information on what commonly happens to  workers in the construction trades when their immigration status is on the line. Far too often, illegitimate non-union contractors take advantage of workers and withhold wages, benefits, decent living conditions, and encourage ICE raids during construction projects.

Worker Panel: My Union Story Veronica Guzmán, IAMAW 66, Jose Ramirez, LIUNA 113, Carlos Ginard, CMRJB Workers United. Union membrs from the Art Museum, construction trades, and hospitality sector shared their experience with the union and the impact it had on their lives. In every case, being a union member resulted in better wages, better working conditions, additional resources, and a network of union family to stand with them.

A huge thank you to all the unions that helped promote and fundraise for the Conference, Ivan Herrada from Insulators Local 19 and La Finca Coffeehouse for keeping us caffeinated and full of tasty treats, Javier Martinez from LIUNA 113 for arranging a delicious lunch, our speakers, Wilfrendo Menendez from UFCW 1473 for tech support, and of course Anne Wiberg and IAMAW Lodge 66 for opening the hall and welcoming us with open arms.

For more information on LCLAA Milwaukee, visit our website at https://milwaukeelabor.org/lclaa/ or email Emily Mueller at emily@milwaukeelabor.org to be added to our email list.

Click HERE to see all of our pictures from the 2021 Conference. 

Nos vemos!