Keith Maddox is the executive secretary-treasurer of the San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council.

We are in an unforeseen crisis. Just a few weeks ago none of us could have predicted the economic impact created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Our members and our neighbors are in a financial and food crisis. Our entire labor council operation has converted to an emergency team focused on securing member benefits and running a substantial food distribution operation. To date we’ve distributed more than 150,000 pounds of food and served over 5,000 families in need. In the coming days, our distribution will provide food to more than 2,000 families per week, as our operations continually expand. I wish to commend our staff team for the work they are doing to keep this operation running, in the face of the health crisis swirling around them.

Every week, we bring you a roundup of the top news and commentary about issues and events important to working families. Here’s the latest edition of the Working People Weekly List.

Welcome to our regular feature, a look at what the various AFL-CIO unions and other working family organizations are doing across the country and beyond. The labor movement is big and active—here's a look at the broad range of activities we're engaged in this week.

NOTE: Further updates to this list will be added to our In Memoriam page.

As the COVID-19 pandemic spreads across the United States, our sisters, brothers and friends in the labor movement are among the first casualties. It is important for us to work together during this crisis to prevent further deaths. It is important to thank those who are doing the work to keep us safe and fed. It is important to remember those who we lost because of the coronavirus.

The Greater Boston Labor Council (GBLC) is coordinating union members’ volunteer efforts, working closely with Boston Mayor Martin Walsh to focus on areas where there is the greatest need for help. The mission of the labor council’s volunteer brigades is to care for the most vulnerable people in Boston. Hundreds of union members, both laid off and currently working, already have started volunteering to serve their neighbors during this crisis.