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Inland Empire Labor Council , AFL-CIO

Supporting Labor: IELC’s Food Distribution A Success

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Left to right: Esmeralda Vazquez, Jeff Ferro, Caleb Ragan, Celene Perez, Kelly Chastain, Ricardo Cisneros, and Robert Ramos.

Beginning early on February 1st, the IELC’s “Feed the Fight: Food Distribution for IE Workers” event was a success. Our first food drive of 2025, this important event wouldn’t have been possible without the work of our great volunteers and our partnership with both the Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County (CAPSBC) and the Office of Senator Eloise Reyes.  

At 9 AM volunteers gathered around and heard a few important words from the following speakers: 

  • Ricardo Cisneros, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Inland Empire Labor Council
  • Jessica Rentz, Marriage and Family Therapist and Steward with NUHW
  • Adamina Camacho, Marriage and Family Therapist with NUHW
  • Maha Rizvi, District Director for Senator Eloise Gómez Reyes
  • Kelly Chastain, Colton City Councilwoman

Ricardo spoke about the importance of coming together as Labor to help each other during times of need in hopes of strengthening the relationship with all speakers and those present on February 1st. He specifically mentioned the ongoing fights of NUHW, Amazon Teamsters, and AFSCME 3299 as major reasons behind the food distribution.  

Volunteers and IELC staff loading boxes for workers.

Expanding on NUHW’s fight, Ricardo explained the difficulty that Kaiser’s patients have getting reliable care — if able to get any at all– due to Kaiser’s corporate greed 

Jessica Rentz and Adamina Camacho gave those present important updates about the now 16 week-long strike at Kaiser Permanente with the 2400+ Behavioral Healthcare Workers. Rentz emphasized the bravery and strength of NUHW members — over half of whom are still on the line! 

Positive developments were mentioned, with Rentz stating that smaller issues have been more or less settled. However, the big three still need to be solved. Those three being the return of their pensions, improving the quality of patient care, and equitable wages with Northern California Kaiser workers. 

Below, Jessica fights back against Kaiser’s anti-union rhetoric that hurts their patients.

Following the updates from NUHW members, Maha Rizvi from the Office of Senator Eloise Reyes spoke. She presented the Labor Council with a certificate on behalf of Senator Reyes, recognizing both the event and the work of the IELC. 

Colton Councilmember Kelly Chastain addressed the crowd with gratitude for the endorsement and the presence of everyone there at the food drive. She ended her remarks with words of encouragement to NUHW members, and the labor movement in general. 

Ironworkers with local 416 were out in full force on Saturday.
As volunteers loaded boxes into cars, they also handed workers cards explaining who the Labor Council is, alongside worker’s rights information.
Union members represented their locals proudly.
Spirits were high throughout the day.
UFCW 1167 members pose with boxes provided by CAPSBC
CFA’s Chris Naticchia preparing to load boxes into cars.
Ironworkers conducted essential traffic control, often the first people that workers saw upon entering the area.

Volunteers happily distributed food boxes to hundreds of households in the area. As these workers continue to fight for better wages and working conditions, we continue to show that WE ARE ONE MOVEMENT. Solidarity forever! 

Shout out to our volunteers from: 

  • California Faculty Association 
  • California Young Dems Labor Caucus 
  • The community
  • IAMAW 
  • IE Building Trades Council 
  • IE Labor Institute 
  • Ironworkers 
  • NUHW 
  • OPEIU 
  • SEIU 
  • Teamsters 
  • Tradeswomen Sisterhood 
  • UFCW 
  • USW 
  • The IELC Team 

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