Nearly 300 people gathered June 6 for the annual Labor Appreciation and Recognition Night banquet sponsored by the Northwest Oregon Labor Council (NOLC). The event recognizes people for their commitment to helping better the lives of workers and people in their communities. It also doubles as a fundraiser for Labor’s Community Service Agency (LCSA). This year’s event raised a record $4,400.
Top recognition is the Del Ricks Community Service Award in honor of the late Del Ricks, who was LCSA’s executive director for 17 years. The 2015 recipient is Vicki Nelson, president of Oregon School Employees Association, Centennial Chapter 113. Nelson partnered with First Book, a national nonprofit dedicated to putting books in the hands of children. After months of planning, organizing and very hard work, 40,000 brand new high-quality books were given to low-income homes and classrooms, Snow Cap Community Charities, St. Timothy’s Church and Doernbecher Children’s Hospital.
The labor council’s “Heritage Award” was presented to Jane Netboy, and posthumously to Bruce Zimmerman. Netboy is a longtime advocate for seniors and people with disabilities. She is active in the Oregon Alliance for Retired Americans. Zimmerman, a retired member of IBEW Local 48, died April 27 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. At the time of his death he was chair of the board of directors of the IBEW and United Workers Federal Credit Union.
A “Business Appreciation” award was presented to the United Association Local 290 Apprenticeship Council for its work assisting with Labor’s Community Service Agency’s annual Presents from Partners holiday toy party.
Recognition awards went to: Alejandro Ahumada and Shad Clark of Bakers Local 114; William Andrianoff and Kevin Wilson of Iron Workers Shopmen’s Local 516; Mike Angermeier of the Portland Metal Trades Council; Steve Brown, owner of Spin Events and Catering; Karen Carlson, office manager of the Northwest Oregon Labor Council and member of Office & Professional Employees Local 11; Jim Gerhardt of the Oregon Alliance for Retired Americans; Michael Gutwig, editor and manager of the Northwest Labor Press; Leanna Hakala and Greg Monahan of the American Federation of Teachers-Oregon Retirees; Ellen Ino of Laborers Local 483; Linda Jauron-Mills of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 757; Duran Jones, George Logan, Steve Mahoney, and Matt Momb of Iron Workers Local 29; Jeanine Lopez, vice president of IBEW and United Workers Federal Credit Union and a member of OPEIU Local 11; Donna Nyberg, labor caucus chair for the Democratic Party of Oregon; Dave Stahly and Marci Wichman of Plumbers and Fitters Local 290; John Vandermosten, IBEW Local 48 retiree, and labor liaison to the Multnomah County Democratic Party; Rose Etta Venetucci, president of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 28; and Scott Zadow, a business representative of IBEW Local 48.
The guest speaker was Oregon Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian. Dignitaries making appearances included U.S. Reps. Suzanne Bonamici and Kurt Schrader, Portland Mayor Charlie Hales, Portland City Commissioner Steve Novick, Clackamas County commissioners Paul Savas and Martha Schrader, Washington County Commissioner Dick Schouten; state Rep. Lew Frederick, Brad Martin, director of the Oregon Democratic Party, and Lorraine Van Hoe, chair of the Multnomah Democrats.
