September 1, 2022

Labor Council Honors IBEW Local 617 President Dan Pasini & Second Harvest of Silicon Valley at COPE Banquet

Dan Pasini, IBEW Local 617 President, the Labor Council Unity Award recipient. Photo by Steven Booker

The San Mateo Labor Council honored IBEW Local 617 President Dan Pasini and Second Harvest of Silicon Valley at its 42nd Annual COPE Banquet July 29 at the Hyatt Regency in Burlingame.

Pasini is this year’s Unity Award recipient. In addition to serving as IBEW Local 617 President, Pasini is the Lead Instructor for the Trades Introduction Program. Under his leadership since 2015, TIP has graduated hundreds of pre-apprentices and placed many in union apprenticeship programs and jobs. The certificated apprenticeship readiness program is focused on helping underserved populations, at-risk youth, and women on their path to a career in the union building trades.

Assembly Speaker Pro Tem Kevin Mullin and State Senator Josh Becker surprised Unity Award honoree Dan Pasini with a giant check for $500,000 in state funding for the Trades Introduction Program. Photo by Steven Booker

State Senator Josh Becker and Assembly Speaker Pro Tem Kevin Mullin surprised Pasini by presenting him a giant replica of a check for $500,000 in state funding for the Trades Introduction Program.

Sen. Becker noted that, “As lead instructor, Dan’s been preparing the next generation of tradespeople to join an apprenticeship program and the workforce. TIP grads are keeping CA moving forward!”

Second Harvest of Silicon Valley is the 2022 Community Award recipient; the regional food bank has partnered with the Labor Council through its San Mateo County Union Community Alliance for many years to provide food for unemployed or laid-off union members. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Second Harvest has provided food for hundreds of union families through the Labor Council’s Food Distribution program.

Newly-elected California Labor Federation Executive Secretary-Treasurer Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher served as the keynote speaker.

The evening of solidarity and community honoring labor and community leaders serves as the Labor Council’s main fundraiser for electoral campaigns.

Second Harvest of Silicon Valley is the 2022 Community Award recipient. Pictured, left to right Susan Takalo, Rosa Shields, Sarah Gowing, Cindy Siu, Austin Stiver.

Rayna Lehman, retired San Mateo Labor Council Community Services Director; Jenni Almeida, SMCUCA Fiscal Administrator; Dan Pasinin, TIP Lead Instructor; Julie Lind San Mateo Labor Council Executive Secretary-Treasurer; and Rosa Shields, Community Services Director, celebrated the $500,000 state grant for the Trades Introduction Program.

California Labor Federation Executive Secretary-Treasurer Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher