Labor leaders, elected officials, and community members gathered at the Labor Community Services Warehouse in Bell, California, on Feb. 22, for the Solidarity in Service press conference. The Los Angeles County Federation of Labor and Labor Community Services organized the event to support California wildfire victims by distributing air purifiers and food boxes while reinforcing a commitment to rebuilding devastated communities.
Prominent labor leaders, AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler and Los Angeles Federation of Labor President Yvonne Wheeler, took the stage to emphasize the power of organized labor in times of crisis.
SEIU 2015 President Arnulfo De La Cruz delivered an impassioned speech, highlighting the labor movement’s role in emergency response. He pledged significant financial support to Labor Community Services.
“I’m so impressed with what you guys have done here, with this warehouse and your project that I’d like to make a commitment on behalf of the Operating Engineers—commit $50,000,” he announced, prompting applause from the audience.
The Operating Engineers and Local 12 represent 21,000 men and women primarily engaged in the construction industry, with 150 members currently working on fire cleanup efforts.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass delivered a heartfelt address, recognizing the profound loss that fire victims have endured. She reflected on the impact of losing a home, stating, “Losing your home is more than just a building. You’re losing your sense of belonging, your history, the memories, the relationships in the neighborhood. And it happens instantly. That’s called trauma, and that’s called grief.”
She reassured the community that the city is prioritizing rebuilding efforts, noting, “We have now opened up three centers, including a disaster recovery center with public agencies at every level, a one-stop rebuilding center to expedite construction approvals, and a resource center for impacted workers.”
While leaders pledged their support, the true impact of the devastation became clear through the voices of those who lived through it.
Alfonso Brown, a longtime Altadena resident, spoke about the deep-rooted connections within his community. “Altadena is my second home,” he said. “We are going to rebuild it.”
Marcus Holland, an electrician and member of IBEW Local 11, described the gut-wrenching loss of his childhood home.
“I’ve literally seen everything that speaks to my childhood wiped away,” he said. “The home I was in is gone. My son’s school is gone. And telling my kids that it’s going to be okay—that’s the hardest part.”
Jane, a retired letter carrier, echoed similar sentiments about the fire’s sudden devastation. “I purposely packed light for a short trip to Sacramento. When I looked at my Ring camera, I saw the flames coming toward my house. All I have left is a chimney and a mailbox.” Despite her loss, she praised the kindness of strangers, adding, “You really see just how great humanity can be in times like this.”
In addition to financial commitments, labor organizations are mobilizing resources for recovery efforts. Local 12 of the Operating Engineers launched emergency hazardous materials training to help clean up the aftermath of the fires. Tobey Bays of Local 44 highlighted the overwhelming volunteer response, saying, “We never had any shortage of volunteers. We’ve delivered almost 400 families furniture. We’ve raised over $300,000 to assist members in rebuilding.”
Moreover, Labor Community Services partnered with Airbnb to provide emergency housing assistance, distributing $1 million in aid to displaced families.
“We can’t replace everything you lost,” Yvonne Wheeler declared, “But we want you to know that as your labor movement, we are here with you today. We’ll be here with you tomorrow. And we’ll be here with you until you rebuild.
