Ross Rieder Labor History Person of the Year
Since almost its beginning, the PNLHA has given a Labor History Person of the Year award at its annual spring conference, recognizing a person or persons who have made a significant contribution to labor history.
Each year, the conference planning committee and sponsors in whichever province or state the conference is being held have the additional duty of naming that person, persons, or group.
Making Labor History Award
At the 2001 Conference, the PNLHA started a new “tradition” by instituting a Making Labor History award. This award will honor an individual or group whose contribution to the labor movement in the past year is noteworthy.
2016 PNLHA Award Recipients:
- Making Labor History Award – The Rural Organizing Project for meritorious service in the advancement of democracy in rural Oregon.
- Ross Rieder History Person of the Year Award – Jointly awarded to Senator Diane Rosenbaum and Dick Edgington for meritorious service to the working people of Oregon.
Past PNLHA Labor History Awards Recipients:
2015
- Making Labor History Award – Lynne Dodson, Secretary-Treasurer of the Washington State Labor Council, and Jeff Johnson, President of the WSLC for their initiation and support of MayWorks in the state of Washington
- Labor History Person of the Year – Ross Rieder. The name of the Labor History Person of the Year Award was renamed to the Ross Rieder Labor History Person of the Year Award to honor Rieder’s 47 years of service to PNLHA and his 37 years as its president.
2014
- Making Labor History Award – Unifor, Canada
- Labor History Person of the Year Award – Labour Heritage Centre, B.C.
2013
- Making Labor History Award – United Academics of the University of Oregon
- Labor History Person of the Year Award – Margaret Butler with Jobs for Justice and Irv Fletcher Oregon AFL-CIO
2012
- Making Labor History Award – Dan Coffman ILWU Local 21 for Export Grain Terminals
- Labor History Person of the Year Award – Ron Magden author
2011
- Making Labor History Award – New Westminister City Council for Living Wage policy
- Labor History Person of the Year Award – Ray Haynes past Sec-Treas of B.C. Federation of Labour
2010
- Making Labor History Award – Next Wave AFSCME Council 75
- Labor History Person of the Year Award – Kieth Johnson past Pres. of IWA and Don Wilmer labor lawyer
2009
- Making Labor History Award – La Clinica employees OPIEU Local 8
- Labor History Person of the Year Award – R. Emmett Murray journalist and unionist
2008
- Making Labor History Award – Hospital Employees Union on Supreme Court victory
- Labor History Person of the Year Award – Ben Swanky activist, and posthumous award for Phil Thomas
2007
- Making Labor History Award – Labor Education and Research Center University of Oregon for 30 year of E&R
- Labor History Person of the Year Award – Ed Barnes retired IBEW 48 business manager
2006
- Making Labor History Award – ILWU Food Service Workers at TESC
- Labor History Person of the Year Award – Brian Kamens PNLHA trustee
2005
- Making Labor History Award – UFCW Local 1518 for Walmart campaign
- Labor History Person of the Year Award – Jack O’Dell union activist and civil rights campaigner
2004
- Making Labor History Award – OPEU / SEIU 503 for home care workers organizing
- Labor History Person of the Year Award – Sue Pisha CWA District VP; Bob Kennedy past president of Oregon AFL-CIO
2003
- Making Labor History Award – Graduate Student Employee Action Council UAW
- Labor History Person of the Year Award – Harry Bridges and the ILWU Spirit
2002
- Making Labor History – Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Local 2000 at Purdy’s Chocolates
- Labor History Person of the Year Award – Campbell River, Courtenay and District Labour Council/Cumberland Historical Society for Miner’s Memorial
2001
- Making Labor History Award – ILWU Local 5 who organized Powell’s Bookstore in Portland in 1999
- Labor History Person of the Year Award – Ed Whelan, long-time Oregon labor and political activist
2000 Labor History Person of the Year Award – Clyde H. Hupp, retired Secretary Treasurer of the Pierce County Central Labor Council
1999 Labor History Person of the Year Award – MacKenzie-Papineau Battalion, a group of Canadian workers who fought for democracy in the Spanish Civil War
1998 Labor History Person of the Year Award – William Perrin
1997 Labor History Person of the Year Award – None
1996 Labor History Person of the Year Award – Bobby Jackson and Jack Geddes On to Ottawa trekkers
1995 Labor History Person of the Year Award – Jesse and Lois Stranahan
1994 Labor History Person of the Year Award – Joe Davis
1993 Labor History Person of the Year Award – Jack Scott and posthumously to Susan Robaina
1992 Labor History Person of the Year Award – Gene Klare
1991 Labor History Person of the Year Award – Marvin L. Williams
1990 Labor History Person of the Year Award – Larry Ryan and George North
1989 Labor History Person of the Year Award – Emory Via
1988 Labor History Person of the Year Award – Ottilie Markholt
1987 Labor History Person of the Year Award – Keith Ralston
1986 Labor History Person of the Year Award – Nellie Fox-Edwards
1985 Labor History Person of the Year Award – Winnifred L. Olsen
1984 Labor History Person of the Year Award – Art Kube
1983 Labor History Person of the Year Award – Norm Amundsen
1981 Labor History Person of the Year Award – Tom McGuire
1980 Labor History Person of the Year Award – JD ‘Rosie’ McDonald
1979 Labor History Person of the Year Award – Dan Bandmann and Bob MacFarlane
1978 Labor History Person of the Year Award – Beulah Compton and Norm Schut
1977 Labor History Person of the Year Award – Tom Scanlan, Gertrude Sweet and Phylis Hutchinson
1976 Labor History Person of the Year Award – Charles McElhanie
1975 Labor History Person of the Year Award – Julia Ruutila
1974 Labor History Person of the Year Award – Harve Nelson
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