Labor Leader of the Week: Terry Nelson - IUPAT

Terry Nelson, Business Manager and Secretary-Treasurer for IUPAT District Council 82 is our Labor Leader of the Week!

Terry Nelson got his first union card at age 16 and says, “I have seen the difference union membership makes.” Nelson joined the Minneapolis Painters in 1982, was a Trustee of the local’s Health & Welfare and Pension funds, and he served as President of Local 386 and as Delegate to the MN Building and Construction Trades Council.

Nelson believes that IUPAT’s success comes from a committed membership and a progressive national leadership team.. He especially appreciates the International’s focus on getting “feet to the street.”

Nelson credits his membership for their foresight in getting involved in the political program to address issues that directly affect their lives. Nelson sees a direct relationship between the union volunteers’ efforts on the street and worker-friendly legislation passed by elected officials. 

The Painters have a history of strong volunteer involvement. In April of this year, 80 IUPAT volunteers took part in the Labor 2008 Kick-off and more than 300 active IUPAT members volunteered to participate in Labor 2008. “We’ve fought out of our weight-class for many years,” says Nelson about IUPAT’s activism.

Nelson said, “one of our goals is to connect with our legislators and Senators to make sure they are connecting with Main Street, USA.” Nelson says union members have moved beyond wedge issues this year, and are focused ion pocketbook issues. He says union-endorsed candidates like Barack Obama, Al Franken, Ashwin Madia and El Tinklenberg offer workers a real chance at rebuilding the middle class.

IUPAT District Council 82 released Don Mullin and Tony McGarvey to the Labor 2008 campaign. Mullin and McGarvey are on phones, and at doors daily and they’re leafleting with other union activists at worksites twice a week. IUPAT’s facility in Little Canada hosts a terrific phone bank and large labor walks like the one on September 4th. Click here for photos!

Nelson said, “This is about all of us together. Our [IUPAT’s] logo says One Union. Even though I am a Painter by trade, I fight for every union member.”

Thanks to Terry Nelson’s leadership, IUPAT District Council 82 upholds its reputation for high-powered activism. Thanks and congratulations to Nelson and his crew for their superior work in Labor 08.