The Unions - NGL's Patriot Angels

The American Labor Movement traces its roots from veterans of the Civil War. They banded together with the brotherhood of the Labor Unions which not only gave them a job but a career with dignity and respect. Even today their program “Helmets to Hardhats” provides training and careers for thousands of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.

Unions have been the angels in the story of No Greater Love for more than 45 years. Without their outstanding generosity and patriotism, we could not have existed. At one point in 1978, No Greater Love lacked funds and AFL-CIO President George Meany held a fundraiser for NGL and raised $40,000 which made it possible for us to continue our mission.

AFL-CIO Unions – Firefighters, Iron Workers, Painters and Sheet Metal Workers – became lifesavers to NGL. Iin November 1973, they donated office space at 1750 New York Avenue, N.W., in Washington DC. Presidents of these unions at that time were Howard McClennan, John Lyons, Frank Raftery and Edward Carlough. The generosity of these unions continued through the years with Eric Dean, Robert Georgine, Joseph Hunt, Lane Kirkland, A.L. “Mike” Monroe, Joseph Nigro, Harold Schaitberger, Joseph Sellers, Micheal Sullivan, Jake West, Alfred Whitehead and James Williams.

The International Association of Firefighters (IAFF)

The IAFF — formed in 1918 represents more than 300,000 full-time professional firefighters and paramedics who protect 85 percent of the nation’s population. More than 3,200 affiliates and their members protect communities in Canada and every state in the United States.

The International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental, and Reinforcing Iron Workers

Iron Workers International Association — formed in 1896 represents 120,000 members in North America. In addition to building and maintaining the nation’s infrastructure, members of the union have worked on the Golden Gate Bridge, Sears Tower, St. Louis Arch, the World Trade Center and other historic sites.

The International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers (SMART)

SMART — formed in 1888 represents over 200,000 members. SMART’s members engineered the Statue of Liberty’s metal restoration and have been instrumental in the preservation of Amtrak, the enactment of numerous safety laws, and the promotion of employee assistance programs.

The Sheet Metal Workers L.U. 206, San Diego, CA built a major part of the famous “Spirit of St. Louis.” This was the monoplane which Charles Lindbergh flew to fame in the Atlantic nonstop spectacular in May 1927.

The International Union of Painter and Allied Trades (IUPAT)

The IUPAT — formed in 1887 represents 160,000 men and women across North America who work in commercial and industrial painting, drywall finishing, glazing, floor covering, and sign and convention display. IUPAT members help shape their communities by a commitment to service and fighting passionately for workers’ rights.

The American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations

The AFL-CIO — formed in 1995 by the merger of the AFL and the CIO, is a democratic, voluntary federation of 56 national and international labor unions that represent 12.2 million working people. They are teachers and miners, firefighters and farm workers, bakers and engineers, pilots and public employees, doctors and nurses, teachers, painters and plumbers — and more, including 3.2 million members of our community affiliate, Working America, which represents people who do not have a union at work. They have partnerships with groups of people whose work usually doesn’t have protection of many labor laws.