At LaborPress, we believe the labor movement doesn’t end when the shift ends. It evolves. For union retirees, it transforms into a new phase of life—one filled with opportunity, reflection, and challenges that come with aging. This May, as we observe Mental Health Awareness Month, Arthritis Awareness Month, and Stroke Awareness Month, we turn the spotlight on these incredible individuals: the retirees of trade organizations and unions who continue to inspire us with their resilience, wisdom, and contributions.
As the largest labor news network in the nation, LaborPress is proud to champion the voices of workers—past and present. In celebrating our retirees, we not only honor a generation that built our infrastructure and institutions, but we also bring attention to the health issues that impact their lives today.
Aging with Strength: A Union Legacy
Union retirees represent more than years of hard work—they represent grit, perseverance, and a shared belief in dignity for all. From welders and bricklayers to subway operators and nurses, they have weathered the physical demands of their industries. Many endured long shifts, labor-intensive work, and decades of wear and tear on their bodies and minds.
And yet, they remain some of the most active and engaged citizens today. These are the people attending retiree luncheons, mentoring young apprentices, volunteering, advocating for healthcare reform, and showing us what it means to age with purpose.
But the realities of retirement come with new challenges—especially related to health. May is a critical moment to elevate three of the biggest health issues affecting retired workers: mental health, arthritis, and strokes.
Mental Health Awareness Month: Breaking the Silence Among Retirees
Retirement is often romanticized as a time of rest and leisure, but for many union retirees, the transition can be difficult. The loss of routine, camaraderie, and a sense of purpose can contribute to depression, anxiety, and loneliness. This is especially true for members who held high-stakes roles like firefighters, correction officers, or construction crew leaders—professions that formed their identity.
According to the CDC, nearly 20% of adults aged 55 and older experience some type of mental health concern, yet these issues often go unrecognized or untreated in older populations. For union retirees who spent decades serving others, asking for help can feel like weakness. But the labor movement has always been about solidarity—and that includes mental wellness.
How Unions Can Support Retiree Mental Health:
- Peer Support Groups: Hosting regular meetups where retirees can share experiences and stay socially connected.
- Mental Health Screening Events: Incorporate basic wellness screenings into union retiree health fairs.
- Teletherapy Access: Partner with providers who offer confidential mental health services through virtual visits.
- Education: Use union newsletters and podcasts to break the stigma and normalize seeking help.
At a recent Union Leader Appreciation Luncheon hosted in Florida, several attendees emphasized the value of connection post-retirement. Conversations flowed easily among leaders from BAC Local 1 NY, Firefighters & Paramedics, and Sheet Metal Workers Local 25. Social connection is more than a feel-good moment—it’s a mental health lifeline.
Arthritis Awareness Month: Managing the Impact of Physical Labor
No surprise here: after a lifetime of physical labor, arthritis is one of the most common chronic conditions affecting union retirees. Whether it’s a retired mason dealing with joint inflammation from years of kneeling on concrete or a former transit worker managing carpal tunnel and osteoarthritis, the aches of aging are often magnified for those who worked in the trades.
More than 58 million Americans live with arthritis, and it remains a leading cause of disability among older adults. For union members, the physical toll of hard work is an expected—but often untreated—part of the retirement experience.
The good news? Early diagnosis, movement-based therapies, and lifestyle modifications can significantly reduce pain and improve quality of life.
What Can Unions Do?
- Partner with Musculoskeletal Health Providers: Organizations like Hinge Health specialize in digital therapy for chronic pain and arthritis.
- Offer Educational Workshops: Retiree chapters can host classes on low-impact exercise, joint health, and anti-inflammatory diets.
- Distribute Adaptive Tools: Simple ergonomic tools and braces can make daily life easier—offer them as part of retiree health kits.
- Highlight Success Stories: Feature retirees who’ve managed arthritis through physical activity, PT, and community support.
During our past events, such as the NLMC-linked luncheon, sponsors like Emoto Electric Bikes and Gronk Fitness showed interest in helping retirees stay mobile and active, even with physical limitations. Partnerships like these turn awareness into action.
Stroke Awareness Month: Prevention Is Power
Strokes remain one of the leading causes of death and long-term disability in the U.S., particularly affecting those over the age of 65. Union retirees, especially those from high-stress jobs or with a history of smoking, poor nutrition, or hypertension, face elevated risks.
The effects of a stroke can be devastating—not just physically, but emotionally and financially. But here’s the hopeful truth: up to 80% of strokes are preventable. That’s why education, screening, and lifestyle interventions are vital.
What’s Working in the Union World:
- On-site Blood Pressure Checks and Lipid Panels: At LaborPress-sponsored events, retirees received complimentary testing from US Specialty Labs for PSA, TSH, Vitamin D, and A1C. These routine checks can uncover stroke risk factors early.
- Health Coaching and Navigation: Services like Emblem Health (a LaborPress partner) offers union retirees preventive care management and chronic disease follow-ups.
- Stroke Recognition Training: Teaching the FAST (Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call 911) method to members and families can save lives.
- Promoting Regular Movement: Sedentary lifestyles post-retirement contribute to vascular risk. Encourage walking clubs, low-impact yoga, or even online fitness videos for those homebound.
This is where unions can shine—by using the strength of their networks to deliver life-saving information and services directly to the retirees who need it most.
Retirees as Wellness Champions
The beautiful truth is, many union retirees don’t see themselves as “done.” They see themselves as free—free to give back in new ways, to live healthier than they did during their working years, and to inspire others.
At LaborPress, we’ve met retirees who:
- Became community health advocates after a personal stroke.
- Returned to school to study mental health and now mentor younger workers.
- Started walking groups in their local towns to reduce arthritis pain and combat isolation.
- Served on union wellness committees to improve retiree health benefits.
These individuals show us that aging is not a slow fade—it can be an empowered phase of life when the right support systems are in place.
What You Can Do This May
For trade organizations, locals, and union benefit funds, May is the perfect time to take action:
- Send a Health-Focused Newsletter: Include articles, checklists, and health screening info related to mental health, arthritis, and stroke prevention.
- Host a Wellness Event or Screening Day: Partner with health companies to provide no-cost checkups and consultations.
- Highlight a Retiree Each Week: Use social media and email to tell stories of thriving retirees.
- Survey Retirees: Find out what they need most—whether it’s mobility tools, mental health resources, or just social connection.
The Labor Movement’s Next Chapter
Healthy aging isn’t just a medical issue—it’s a labor issue. The same values that drive us to fight for fair wages, safe workplaces, and accessible healthcare must continue into retirement. Union retirees built our bridges, stood on picket lines, and paved the way for worker protections. They deserve to live their golden years in health, dignity, and community.
This May, LaborPress recommits to uplifting their stories, addressing their health concerns, and celebrating the lifelong power of the labor movement.
Because once a union member, always a union member.
