FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Date: March 3, 2025
Contact: Chad Cyrowski, ccyrowski@miaflcio.org, 248-867-9508
WARREN, MI – Michigan AFL-CIO President Ron Bieber is the proud recipient of this year’s George Meany Award from the Michigan AFL-CIO and the Michigan Crossroads Council of Scouting America. The award, presented to Bieber at an annual dinner last week at UAW Region 1, is given to union members who have made a significant contribution to the labor movement and the youth of their communities by volunteering in the programs of Scouting America.
“Receiving the George Meany Award is a deeply touching honor,” said BIEBER. “Having joined UAW Local 730 at the age of 18, I know in my bones how important strong unions—and even stronger values—are to our communities and young people. Community service, brotherhood, and social justice are more than just words; they’re the deeds we do in our communities every single day. And that’s what the George Meany Award is all about.”
The George Meany Award was established by Scouting America and the National AFL-CIO in 1974 and recognizes outstanding union members for their service to their communities’ young people. Individuals are nominated by their Central Labor Council and must exemplify the values of Scouting America by upholding the Scout Oath and Scout Law in their communities, workplaces, and personal lives. Since its inception, only 2,500 union members have received this prestigious honor.
“Fighting for the future of our youth is the reason we wake up in the morning,” said Steve Claywell, President of the Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council. “I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this award than our own Ron Bieber. Ron is committed to the labor movement. He’s committed to the Scouts. And he’s committed to the values each of them hold in common: community service, brotherhood, and social justice.”
“Our longstanding partnership with Michigan’s unions is unbreakable,” said Janssen LEMLEY, Director of Development for Scouting America, Michigan Crossroads Council. “Every single one of this year’s awardees lives the values we teach young people in our communities every day. Through these daily efforts, they help to forge a stronger bond between the Scouts and the labor movement.”
Other awardees honored last week include UAW Region 1 Raymond Pecoraro, USW 1299 Roger Ward, LiUNA 1098 Eric Sansburn, POLC – Ottawa County Deputies Association Travis Babcock, UAW 600 Harold Rahrig, Jr., and UWUA 223 Jason Cousino.
The Michigan AFL-CIO, Michigan’s largest labor organization, is a federation representing forty different labor organizations, eighteen different central labor councils, and eight constituency groups representing over 1 million union members and their families.
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