IP NEWTON Jones receives the 2017 Labor Heritage Foundation’s “Solidarity Forever Award” for preserving labor history and culture. Left to right: Bricklayers IP James Boland, IP Jones, Ironworkers GP Eric Dean and LHF Exec. Dir. Elise Bryant.
Accolades given for Bank of Labor, social justice initiatives
INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT NEWTON B. Jones received the 2017 Labor Heritage Foundation “Solidarity Forever Award” in ceremonies at AFL-CIO headquarters in Washington, D.C. May 19 for supporting labor history and culture through the Boilermaker History Preservation Department (BHPD).
LHF Executive Director Elise Bryant presented the honor.
Speaking about Jones’ achievements were A. Philip Randolph National President Clayola Brown, Ironworkers General President Eric Dean, Bricklayers International President James Boland, LHF Chair Saul Schniderman and Bank of Labor Vice President of Marketing Bridget Martin.
Jones received praise not only for establishing the BHPD but also for re-envisioning the Boilermakers’ 93-year-old regional bank as Bank of Labor, which now offers services across the entire U.S. Labor Movement. He was also cited for his courage in addressing the historical injustice of segregated local lodges (common during the Jim Crow era of the 1940s) by offering a public apology on behalf of the Boilermakers union and commissioning a film describing that era through the eyes of former member Betty Soskin. At 95, Soskin is the oldest full-time U.S. Park Service ranger and works at the Rosie the Riveter National Historic Park in Richmond, California.
“This award will have a special place in my office and my life as a daily reminder of our joint struggle and our unshakeable commitment to carry on the critical work of those who came before us in our great Labor Movement,” Jones said.
