For the Reporter
The Washington State Labor Council has honored the president of Machinists Union District Lodge 751 with its Mother Jones Award, in recognition of his “outstanding advocacy on behalf of Washington’s working families.”
The award recognized union President Tom Wroblewski, a Kent resident, for his leadership in negotiating the contract extension that resolved a National Labor Relations Board fight with the Boeing Co. and ensured the 737 MAX would be built in Washington state.
His actions showed “leadership, dedication and commitment to his union’s membership and to the core values of the labor movement,” said Bob Guenther, the labor council vice president who presented Wroblewski with the award.
The labor council gives two Mother Jones Awards each year, one to an individual and one to an organization. The awards are named for Mary Harris Jones, an Irish immigrant who became a leader in the U.S. labor movement in the early 20th century. She’s best known for urging union activists to “mourn the dead, but fight like hell for the living.”
Wroblewski was presented with his award at the labor council’s annual convention, which was held July 25-27 in Vancouver.
As he accepted the award, Wroblewski congratulated the union’s 33,000 members for “proving every day you are the best aerospace workforce in the world.”
Wroblewski himself is deserving of thanks for all he’s done, Guenther said.
“Through his strategic foresight and perseverance, he secured the building of the 737 MAX in Washington state,” he said. “Tom Wroblewski stood resolute with his members to win the day, and secure jobs, rights and dignity for union members across Washington and across the nation.”
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