This Labor Day, IBEW Local 1245 participated in the inaugural LaborFest in Reno, NV. Sponsored by the Northern Nevada Central Labor Council and its affiliates (including 1245), LaborFest is a celebration of the middle class and Nevada’s working families, with live music, food trucks, a beer garden, kids zone, and more – fun for the whole family and open to the general public.
More than 40 different unions and employers from every industry, including utilities, construction, shipping, firefighting, teaching, and entertainment came together to make this event possible. IBEW 1245 Business Rep Adam Weber, Executive Board Member Ryan Morris, Reno Unit Chair Britney Morris and I were all proudly representing 1245 at LaborFest!
The IBEW 1245 team at Reno LaborFest
Labor Day weekend is a busy one in Reno and Sparks, and LaborFest had some competition. Not only was Burning Man ending, but the World-Famous Rib Cookoff was in full swing. During the early morning setup, the talk between all the participants pointed to one thing, “Will members of our community show up?”
LaborFest opened to the public at 11 am and we all waited patiently. Members of the community started to show up in a steady stream. The event ended up being a huge success, with about 3,500 members of the public in attendance. Additionally, many notable labor leaders, elected officials and candidates came to demonstrate their support for organized labor. Nevada Lt. Governor Linda Cano Burkhead and Susie Martinez, the Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Nevada AFL-CIO, both stopped by our booth to support 1245.
From left: Senior Assistant Business Manager Dylan Gottfried, Lt. Gov Lisa Cano Burkhead, 1245 Unit Chair Brittney Morris, NV AFL-CIO Leader Susie Martinez, Business Rep Adam Weber
All funds raised from LaborFest will go to the NNCLC Nonprofit Worker Benefit Corp, a 501(c)3* nonprofit providing apprenticeship, member, and community assistance (tools and boots for apprentices, emergency support, etc.). This event will surely become a staple within our community, and we look forward to attending next year.
See the media coverage of LaborFest here and here.
— Dylan Gottfried, IBEW 1245 Senior Assistant Business Manager