This February, retirees gathered for the Laborers’ Local Union 11 Annual Valentine’s Dinner for an afternoon of dancing, food and fun. Held every year, this event provides an opportunity for retired LIUNA members to reconnect with each other and their Local Unions, and an opportunity for LIUNA leaders to show their retirees that they’re still an important part of their union.
“Our retirees have dedicated decades of their lives to this union and we will always recognize and celebrate them,” said LIUNA General President and LHSFNA Labor Co-Chairman Brent Booker. “Being part of the LIUNA family doesn’t end when you retire. You’ll always have our support and community.”
Shannon Jones is the TriFund Field Coordinator for the Mid-Atlantic Region, as well as the Vice President of Local 11’s Retiree Council. For the 15 years he’s been working on the council, hosting events to engage retirees throughout the year has been a top priority. There are around 320 retirees in his area and the council usually hosts around three parties a year: the Valentine’s Dinner, a Christmas party and a summer picnic at a Maryland state park.
“Any time we can get even 30 percent of our retirees out for an event, it’s a great success,” said Jones. “We’ve had anywhere from 75 to 100 members ranging from 50 to 95 years old come out. Some of these folks have been members for 60 years and haven’t seen their coworkers in 15 or more years. It’s just a great time to see everyone catching up and having fun.”
Jones explains that it’s common for retired members to feel disconnected from their Locals once they leave full-time work. However, these members have been paying into their union for decades, and most of them want to stay involved in what their union is doing. As part of the retiree council, he appreciates getting to interact with these members and providing them with the opportunities to stay connected.
Jones also notes that retirees’ willingness to engage doesn’t end with social gatherings. According to LIUNA’s National Retiree Council, thousands of retirees across the U.S. and Canada volunteer their time to support LIUNA’s charitable, political and social efforts every year.
“Retirees are some of the most active participants in their unions. Anytime there’s a fundraiser, a food drive, political action or Laborers Rising event, they want to participate and help in any way they can,” said Jones.
According to the World Health Organization, up to one in three older people report feeling lonely, which can significantly impact both mental and physical well-being. A sense of social connection and belonging is a fundamental human need, and feelings of isolation and loneliness can lead to increased stress, worsened anxiety and depression, increased risk for heart disease, dementia and early death. During what experts are calling the “Loneliness Epidemic,” making an effort to connect with others is more important than ever.
As part of the Blueprint for Balance (B4B) program, the LHSFNA is working to address this loneliness crisis and promote social well-being among the entire LIUNA family. In addition to creating a supportive community, we also provide tips, resources and ideas for how to cultivate community and foster healthy social connections. Achieving this might look different for different Regions or Locals, but we’re here to support and spotlight any efforts.
For more on B4B, check out the B4B webpage, where you can sign up for our newsletter, browse our social media feed and find other relevant resources. Have something you want us to spotlight? Reach out to b4b@lhsfna.org.
About LIUNA’s Retiree Councils
Many LIUNA Local Unions have Local Retiree Councils, where they discuss various issues important to retired Laborers, including health care, pensions, legislation and politics and activism. In addition to Local Retiree Councils, LIUNA employs a National Retiree Council (NRC) led by retired members from each of LIUNA’s nine Regions. The NRC serves as a liaison to existing Local Retiree Councils and affiliates. It also works to build coalitions with other organizations that support issues that are important to union retirees.
If you are interested in joining your Local’s Retiree Council or forming a Retiree Council in your area, contact your Local Union for more information.
[Hannah Sabitoni]
