This Saturday come join us for a very important VAC this from 8am-10am as we participate in a “Lit Drop” for the upcoming special election for Oakland Mayor and District 2. In political parlance, a “lit drop” is short for “literature drop,” when a political candidate delivers campaign materials on voters’ doorsteps. We have endorsed Barbara Lee for Mayor and Charlene Wang for District 2. Let’s show our support for our endorsed candidates and work together to make sure they’re elected when the time comes. Hope to see you there!

Come join the Local 3 family as we participate in the 41^st Annual Dublin St. Patrick’s Parade held on 3/15/2025 at 200 Civic Plaza, Dublin, CA  94568 (We will meet in the Target parking lot at 8am) Everyone is welcome to participate in this VAC. We encourage you to bring children, friends, family, neighbors or anyone that wants to have a great time! Everyone’s Irish on St. Patrick’s Day!! Wear anything GREEN, shirts, hats, scarves & fake beards! Let’s enjoy fresh air and good CRAIC!

WOMENS HISTORY MONTH

My name is Angelique Davis. I’m 24 and I’m a second-year commercial painting apprentice. I became interested in the trades when my grandpa retired from the laborer’s union. As a side job, I would go assist with cleaning at different halls and I always loved how the union cared for my Papa. Being a union member gave him the ability to have a home and retire. One day he asked me to paint his bathroom and after it was complete I realized how much joy it brought me. My Papa told me “You can do anything you set your mind to so if you want to be a painter then go for it” and that’s exactly what I did. After graduating high school and going to college for a bit, I became even more confident that joining the union was what I wanted to do with my life and through the MC3 Pre Apprenticeship program Future Build in Pittsburg CA, I was able to make my dream reality. I love painting. It’s very rewarding seeing the beautiful end results and it gives me a sense of pride to say I did that! I also enjoy going to different job sites with the ability to learn and create relationships with so many different people. Painting to me is relaxing and fun, so to be able to have this as my career and one day receive a retirement from this is amazing in my opinion. Being a tradeswoman is not a job but a career! These skills that I have obtained belong to me and no one can ever take them away.

Erika E Morales Valenzuela is a second-year apprentice painter working for George E Maskers INC. She was previously in the food service industry but wanting better pay and health benefits for her family she decided to make a career change. She enrolled in Rising Sun Opportunity Build, a MC3 pre apprenticeship program where she excelled and found her place in the construction industry as a union painter. When asked about how she feels about being a tradeswoman she said “I take pride in my painting and I’m always striving for perfection. My goal is to be an excellent painter, showcasing efficiency and quality while building relationships with all the brothers and sisters I work with”.