From Carolina Public Press:
United Textile Workers of America Enka Local 2598’s union hall at 130 Sardis Road is for sale. The local, in place since 1939, has owned the property since 1963. Hank Shell/Carolina Public Press
In the face of declining membership, some Asheville-area unions are looking to sell their most iconic possessions – union halls.
Curtis Shew, president of Communication Workers of America Local 3601, said that when the CWA purchased their current location at 210 Haywood Road in 1975, the local had about 1,500 members.
Today, there are 220 members, which Shew said doesn’t justify keeping the hall.
“The utilization from the CWA and the members is probably the biggest driver of selling it,” he said.
During the last three decades, Shew said the CWA has rented its hall to car enthusiasts, art clubs and Hispanic Baptist church groups to help cover costs.
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