(The AFL-CIO issued the following news release on April 30.)
ST. LOUIS — More than 300,000 visitors saw “America at Its Best,” courtesy of the annual AFL-CIO Union-Industries Show at the America’s Center in St. Louis, April 23-26. The show featured the latest in union-made-in-the-USA autos and accessories, motorcycles, hardware, clothing, sporting goods, furniture, baked goods and groceries, appliances and house wares spread across an area equal to four football fields.
Interspersed with product displays were exhibits by skilled craft workers demonstrating everything from ornate sheet metal work to bricklaying, carpentry, decorative plastering, iron work and plumbing while offering information on how to get training to prepare for good union jobs and the pay and benefits those jobs provide.
The show received major play in the St. Louis media, with major newspaper stories and generous radio and television news coverage.
Missouri Gov. Bob Holden and St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay joined with
AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Rich Trumka, Herb Johnson, Secretary-Treasurer of the Missouri AFL-CIO and St. Louis AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Bob Soutier to open the Show.
“The story behind every product you see here is the story of what makes our country great,” Trumka said.
Holden echoed the message of pride in labor’s accomplishments. “Unions have made our nation what it is today…and labor is critical to the nation’s future, essential to make sure our nation can grow and sustain a middle class,” he said.
Mayor Francis Slay described growth and development plans for the city, crediting union members for helping rebuild it.
Seventy-two boy scouts were awarded the American Labor Merit Badge by Trumka and Holden at the opening of the Show. The ceremony marked the largest single group ever to receive the American Labor Merit Badge, which requires scouts to study the history, objectives and contributions of U.S. workers and their unions.
The show also hosted some 500 local school children in an outreach to the
St. Louis area school system.
A focused package of radio, newspaper and television ads helped create local interest and produced the largest turnout of visitors in recent years.
“The theme–America at Its Best–was a great description of the content and the purpose of the Show. Hard work and dedication by union leaders from
St. Louis and throughout the state helped make this show one of the best we’ve ever had,” declared Charles Mercer, president of the AFL-CIO Union Label and Service Trades Department that produces the Show.
Other highlights of the show included the popular “If I Had a Hammer” program that demonstrates how elementary school kids can master mathematics and communication skills as they build a mini-house. Show goers also talked to local first responders about fire safety and took home thousands of dollars worth of union-made products, foodstuffs, appliances, cars, trucks and a Harley Davidson motorcycle.
From St. Louis, the Show will travel to Portland, Oregon next Spring (April 29 – May 2) where exhibitors will set up at the Oregon Convention Center.