The Executive Officers of IFPTE Local 21 and our entire Local 21 family mourn the passing of Sister Kim Thompson (Kim Marie Thompson Cromb), a dedicated member and leader of Local 21.
Kim Thompson was Vice-President for San Francisco for IFPTE Local 21 and a delegate to the San Francisco Labor Council. She worked as a Principal Engineer– a 38-year employee of the City and County of San Francisco, she worked in the City’s Dept. of Technology, and was a longtime Local 21 activist and leader. We extend our sincere condolences to Kim’s family and union siblings in mourning.
For Local 21, she served on both Contract Action Teams and Bargaining Teams in 2019, 2022, and 2024. Kim led Local 21’s largest jurisdiction, City and County of San Francisco, through a series of its most successful contracts. In leadership, Kim created the environment and culture that would inspire her and her coworkers to give the best of themselves to city services and the Union.
IFPTE Local 21 President Bianca Polovina remembered:
“Whether we were fighting side by side on the streets and at the bargaining table, chanting on the picket line, and laughing as we celebrated, Kim always gave everything she had. We miss our beloved friend so much.”
2024 Bargaining Team Member Krysten Laine remembered:
“Kim’s rise in our union was meteoric, well deserved, and earned. She was always kind, compassionate and always had an ear for anyone who needed it. Her ability to make us all feel, seen, heard, and safe was exactly what we needed through tumultuous times. From two-term chapter President to SF Regional VP and three bargaining cycles in-between, she made a difference and led us all with thoughtful kindness. My heart is broken, remembering my dear friend. Kim, you’ve left us an incredible legacy and huge blue fuzzy boots to fill. Rest in power.”
IFPTE Local 21 Executive Director Debra Grabelle remembered:
“Kim lived her values, whether it meant going into the office early and staying late in order to collect the most strike pledges of any leader in San Francisco, or advocating for the eradication of members being temporary workers, Kim was committed and led with firm kindness. She loved to have fun, talked frequently of her love of family and had a huge community. She will be deeply missed.”
Related: IFPTE Mourns the Loss of Local 21 Vice President, Kim Thompson
Related: Obituary of Kim Marie Thompson Cromb
Kim is survived by her husband David and her two children Kyle and Heather. City workers, including those represented by IFPTE, Local 21 members, leadership, and staff honor and remember Kim for her dedication and service to our community. Kim’s contributions to the labor movement and legacy in San Francisco will live on.