DES MOINES – On Saturday, May 3, over 500 unionist, friends and family gathered at Veterans Auditorium to honor retiring Senator Tom Harkin, and to make him an honorary member of the Iowa Labor Hall of Fame.
Every year the Iowa Federation of Labor (IFL) inducts a few people into the Iowa Labor Hall of Fame at the annual Iowa Federation of Labor Convention. This award is presented to men and women within the labor movement whose efforts and sacrifices have enhanced the quality of life for Iowa workers.
This year, the IFL has inducted Senator Tom Harkin, as an honorary member, at this special event.
“We are pleased to induct Senator Tom Harkin into the Iowa Labor Hall of Fame,” said IFL president Ken Sagar, “He has dedicated his life to improving the lives of working men and women not only in Iowa, but throughout the country. This honorary induction is the first time in the history of the Labor Hall of Fame that any individual from outside of a labor organization has ever been selected to receive this prestigious award.”
The people in attendance at this event paid tribute to the Senator for his years of support to the labor movement and working people everywhere.
Former Congressman Neal Smith spoke highly of Senator Harkin, and gave those in attendance a little history lesson in Iowa labor history and politics. Other speakers included: Ken Sagar, President of the Iowa Federation of Labor; Lew Drass, National Association of Letter Carriers Vice President; Dave Nagle, former Iowa Congressman; Emil Ramirez, United Steel Workers Union District 11 Director; Dave Loebsack, Iowa second district Congressman; Bruce Braley, Iowa first district Congressman; Todd Anderson, AFL-CIO Midwest Director, and Ed Hill, President of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW).
In a special presentation, President Ed Hill of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers presented Senator Harking with an honorary union card from the IBEW for all he has done for workers not just in Iowa, but across the nation.
I’m glad they like him. Maybe they would be interested in paying his retirement and benefits for the rest of his life then too. What a crock.
When will my union brothers figure out that Harkin and the Democrats long ago joined the money gubbers and sold the middle class and working man down the river.
Also the policies of the last 5 years have cost us jobs, jobs, jobs, and less wages. Need policies that will help us get ahead and not be dependent on the Government.
Get a grip folks.
@Anonymous-TRUTH.
I forgot to put my handle on my comment. Sorry
Unions (and their members) have very few friends left here in MC. The *elite* demonize anyone associated (or supported) by the unions. City hall is totally anti-union. Yet, the same people are re-elected. If the local union members really value all the ideals the former union workers fought for, they would have worked much harder to keep the mayor and his cronies out of office. You will see much of what is left of the union at city hall crumble, as jobs are not replaced, or departments are privatized one by one; and perhaps temp agencies fill positions (sanitation department, watch out). The union will exist, but with no one holding jobs. It’s pretty sad that the corporations are winning.
Maybe if unions actually represented the best interests of their members they would have more support.
As with any human organization, unions evolve into a benefit system for its leaders – just like government.