Local 273 Has Long History of Giving to Community

by Trudy Kelly Forsythe
Saint John Times Globe

Whether they are giving of their time or money, Saint John longshoremen are a generous lot. In fact, their charitable history goes back to their earliest union - the Saint John Laborer's Benevolent Association, which was organized in 1849 and was well known for its generosity.

Today's continued dedication to supporting the community becomes apparent from the words of thanks and praise that come from a variety of organizations and fundraising events in Greater Saint John. One person who admits she just can't say enough is Carolyn McNulty, executive director and founder of Romero house Soup Kitchen, which served its first meal in March 1982.

Local 273 of the International Longshoremen's Association, as it is known today, first became involved with Romero house at her request, says Mrs. McNulty.

"When we wanted to build Romero House Soup Kitchen, I was invited to the trade union office on Ludlow Street," she explains. There she presented her case, which asked if the union members would help build a building that had been dismantled in Fredericton and given to Mrs. McNulty.

"They wholeheartedly supported me," she recalls.

Of course, the steps that took Mrs. McNulty from the union trade office into a newly built Romero House Soup Kitchen weren't that simple. A major problem presented itself when the donated building would not meet code. The next step was to raise the money to purchase the materials to build from scratch.

The members of the union, whether carpenters, plumbers, bricklayers or longshoremen, were still pleased to help whenever they could, from fundraising to construction.

"The camaraderie and spirit were amazing," Mrs. McNulty says, explaining the union people had to work around their paying jobs and often when they were able to volunteer, the materials weren't available. They then got involved doing more than just building.

"The union people solicited their suppliers for donations of materials, equipment, everything," Mrs. McNulty says. 'We have the best of everything in this building."

The whole project took just over a year to complete form the time the ground was broken in April 1989 until the organization moved into the location on Brunswick Drive in July 1990.

"We didn't miss serving a single meal," she recalls. "We moved in overnight."

And, she gives Local 273 a lot of credit for helping them get there. "They were just wonderful," she says.

Their contributions did not end once the building was complete, however. The union still gives monetary donations to assist in its operations and many of the union members have volunteered their time over the years. The local was also supportive when Romero House was working hard to keep a refugee family in the country.

"I can't say enough," she concludes. "They've been tremendous."

Another organization ILA Local 273 has put tremendous energy into is the United Way. Since the mid eighties, the local has maintained an active role on the board of directors.

Local 273 member Brian Duplessis is the present labour chair for the United Way, meaning he sits on the executive committee and the Board of Directors. Other members who have sat on the board of directors include Abel LeBlanc, Brian Straight and Patirck Riley, Mr. LeBlanc and Mr. Riley now sit on the United Way Board of Governors.

The local is also involved during the United Way's annual fundraising campaign that runs from the first of September to the end of November. Besides payroll deduction, Local 273 members were integral in organizing the first pancake breakfast for the United Way.

In addition to the United Way Board of Directors, the local has members who sit on several other volunteer boards.

The Harbour Lights campaign, which has been held for the past two years to raise money for community food banks, also gleans praise for the longshoremen. CBC host of Information Morning Paul Castle says, "Their donation alone is just incredible."

Another project the local was greatly involved in was the development and construction of the Rainbow Park in Saint John's south end last summer. Peter McGill, president of the board of directors of the park committee says, "the ILA, led by Pat Riley, Terry Breen and Bill Straight, really stepped up when they were needed." The ILA members donated $1,000 as well as their time to build the park.

Patrick Riley, business agent and secretary treasurer for ILA Local 273, explains members of the local get involved because "we believe that we have a social obligation to utilize our collective voice and our collective strength to help those who are less fortunate than ourselves. That is, we believe, a duty of good trade unionists."

So, while the words: "In matters of charity, its purse strings are never tied," were first spoken of the Saint John Laborer's Benevolent Association, it's easy to see they still hold true today when speaking of the ILA Local 273!