The International Association of Fire Fighters and eight other unions were honored by the Department of Labor for their work over the last 100 years to protect workers’ rights, wages, and benefits.
Each were inducted into the Century of Service Honor Roll of American Labor Organizations.
U.S. Department of Labor Acting Secretary Julie Su said that the nine inductees should not only be celebrated for the work their members do every day to keep communities running, but also for the contributions they have made toward the labor movement
“These unions have led monumental shifts, not just within the last few years, but throughout our nation’s history from securing collective bargaining rights to landmark legislation like the Fair Labor Standards Act to fighting for safe working conditions, fair wages and benefits,” Su said. “The work that today’s honorees have done doesn’t just write a chapter in the story of labor; it is the spine of the book of the story of the American middle class.”
Su acknowledged the accomplishments of each of the nine unions. Of the IAFF, she said the union had worked tirelessly on behalf of its members throughout its more than 100-year history and commended General President Edward Kelly and the Executive Board for leading the union forward.
“As we recently reflected on the anniversary of 9/11, we really want to thank you, President Ed Kelly, for your leadership to honor the work of your members and to acknowledge the loss,” Su said. “Thank you for leading the fight for our nation’s heroes.”
Kelly said it was a true honor to be part of a union that had never stopped fighting for its members since its formation in 1918.
“Generations of IAFF members past and present have contributed to safer communities for our neighbors and safer jobs for our fellow fire fighters and emergency medical workers,” Kelly said. “We have come a long way in 106 years, and while there will always be more work to do, there is nothing more righteous and worthwhile than fighting for our members across the United States and Canada.”
The eight other labor organizations inducted were the American Train Dispatchers Association, Fraternal Order of Police, International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, National Alliance of Postal and Federal Employees, National Federation of Federal Employees, National Postal Mail Handlers Union, Service Employees International Union, and United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers.
With these nine, more than 50 labor unions are now a part of the Honor Roll exhibit displayed U.S. Department of Labor’s Frances Perkins Building in Washington, D.C.
The ceremony is available on the DOL’s YouTube channel.
