Member Spotlight is a new, recurring blog post series intended to highlight and connect the dots between the programs and priorities of the NC State AFL-CIO and the leaders and activist members of our affiliates who make it all possible.
My name is Ron Ingerick, and I am a member of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART) living in Arden, NC. I serve as the volunteer president of the Western North Carolina Central Labor Council.
What draws me to this work is a desire to help others. There is no self glory on this one! Whether they work on UPS trucks, on the railroads, on power lines, or elsewhere, I want working women and men here to know their rights so we can protect each other on the job and off.
In late January we put together a social bowling event in Asheville for Western NC union members and their friends and families. I thought the event went great! We saw new faces who had never been to a meeting, and that shows our message of building a stronger community through worker unity is reaching new eyes and ears. So it’s good for people to come out to these events, and I hope that we continue to grow and have new people join us at future events, such as the upcoming candidate screenings.
I want people to know the Western NC CLC includes a diverse range of occupations, unions, and people. Even though we have different jobs, we have similar problems. We are a team, with people who are not afraid to help.
