"I am extraordinarily privileged to have worked with you," Williams said. "Over the years we have agreed and disagreed---we have seen setbacks and we have seen victories--- and we have made a difference. We have organized the unorganized. We have rallied, we have blocked traffic, and we have shut down bridges." Quoting legendary labor leader A. Philip Randolph, Williams reminded the assembled activists that “At the banquet table of nature, there are no reserved seats. You get what you can take, and you keep what you can hold. If you can't take anything, you won't get anything, and if you can't hold anything, you won't keep anything. And you can't take anything without organization.” Labor stalwart Fred Allen was honored for his stewardship of Evening with Labor. Allen has chaired the event for 35 years. He and wife Lois received special plaques of recognition as well as gifts.
Local labor unions were recognized for their organizing and community service efforts. The Washington Teachers Union (WTU) Local 6 and AFSCME Local 658 received organizing awards for impressive gains in their membership ranks. And the National Nurses Union and UFCW Local 400 took home Golden Picket Sign Awards. Thomas M. Bradley Community Services Awards were conferred on the Sheet, Metal Air, Rail, and Transportation Union, SMART Local 100, and Operative Plasterers and Cement Masons Local 891. The night ended as music by Moonshine featuring Ron Holloway enticed guests onto the dance floor. Comments are closed.
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2022
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