WNYLaborToday.com Editor’s Note: Pictured above, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 2104’s Trevor Ganshaw and United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 686’s Nicole Printup were recently recognized and publicly honored during the United Way of Greater Niagara’s Annual Awards Breakfast for their and their Unions’ efforts in making Niagara County a better place to live through a variety of charitable ways.  (United Way of Greater Niagara Photo)

(NORTH TONAWANDA, NEW YORK) – Labor Unions and the United Way of Greater Niagara “share a lot of the same values,” International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 2104’s Trevor Ganshaw matter-of-factly remarked to WNYLaborToday.com, while United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 686’s Nicole Printup noted it is “incredible to be a vessel of kindness” for their Unions to be involved in helping make Niagara County a better place to live through a variety of charitable ways.

Both Ganshaw and Printup were recognized and honored at the recently held United Way of Greater Niagara’s Annual Awards Breakfast for the significant impact they and their Unions have had on the Niagara County Community as a whole via their generosity, leadership and service.

Nearly 200 community members, partners and supporters were in attendance for a morning of recognition and reflection on the power of giving back.

Andrea Gray, who serves as President and CEO of United Way of Greater Niagara, said: “This breakfast is our way of saying ‘thank you.’ Our honorees ‘exemplify what it means to ‘live united’ and uplift the community.’ ‘Their commitment fuels the work we do - every day.’ ‘We’re incredibly grateful’ to our partners, supporters and honorees ‘who help drive our mission forward.’ ‘Your dedication, generosity and community spirit inspire the work we do’ across Niagara County and the City of Tonawanda. ‘Because of you, we continue to create lasting impact and build a stronger, more united community.’”

Ganshaw, who serves as Local 2104’s Executive Board Chairman, has been an Employee of the New York Power Authority for 23 years and serves as Lead Captain of NYPA’s Barge Crew that installs and removes the ice boom off a massive barge in Lake Erie.

He received the United Way’s Russell Quarentello Community Service Award, named after the late IBEW Local 237 Business Manager who emersed himself and his Union in giving back through the United Way across the county.

“Russ was a ‘great optimist and mentor when it came to community service’ and I was ‘always interested’ in it,” Ganshaw told WNYLaborToday.com. “We ‘help those who live in the county and they help (Labor Unions when the need arises).’  Labor Unions and the United Way’ share a lot of the same values.’ ‘I have a team - that’s my Union, and we try to help people with anything they need.’”

From partnering with the United Way of Greater Niagara’s annual Day of Caring to playing a role in the Niagara-Orleans AFL-CIO Central Labor Council’s annual Labor’s Night at the Races event (which has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to benefit the United Way over the years and where Ganshaw serves as an Executive Council Member) to adopting a number of needy families over the Christmas Holidays, “this ‘all shows how much (Organized Labor) is willing to do’ (for the community),” he said.

But Labor doesn’t do this - and more, for the accolades, Ganshaw told WNYLaborToday.com.

“While ‘it’s great to be recognized, I am grateful it allows us to getting my Local and the Labor Council’s name out there so that people in the community know Labor’s boots are on the ground, working for them.’ ‘We are doing it for them,’” he said.

Printup, who has been a Member of the UAW for 25 years and serves as the Union’s Local Communication Officer, said she was “deeply humbled” by receiving the United Way’s Joseph C. Weber III Think Positive… Think United Way Award.

“I am ‘also deeply honored’ to receive such an award,” she said. “It’s ‘incredible to be a vessel of kindness and the impact we make.’  I ‘thank’ my UAW Family ‘for believing in me and remaining united’ (in the overall effort of giving back to the community).”

Local 686 and its Members are involved in a variety of United Way events - including raising and donating nearly $5,000 in 2024 through Member raffles, Employee Payroll Deductions and Corporate Contributions at Lockport’s General Motors Operations Plant.  

“I ‘can’t think of anything more important than teaching our younger (Union) Members the importance of being involved and giving back and instilling in them the advantages of being in a Union,’” Printup told WNYLaborToday.com.