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On Saturday, August 10, more than 400 business, community, and labor leaders gathered in Hoover, Alabama, to celebrate the Alabama Organized Labor Awards Foundation (AOLAF) banquet, an event dedicated to preserving and promoting the state’s labor heritage. For over three decades, AOLAF has been at the forefront of addressing the challenges faced by working people and positioning the labor movement for the future, as first reported by Alabama News Center
“The foundation highlights the accomplishments and legacy of organized labor in Alabama and honors members who have distinguished themselves with their service and leadership to the working people of our state,” said Bren Riley, president of the Alabama AFL-CIO, during the event.
This year’s top honor, the 2024 Labor Person of the Year award, was presented to Brandon Cardwell, the business manager of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 443. Cardwell, who has been a dedicated leader within Local 443 since 2010, previously served as the assistant business manager before assuming his current role.
In a poignant moment, Jimmy Price of United Steelworkers (USW) Local 351L was inducted posthumously into the Hall of Fame. Price, who worked at the BF Goodrich Tire Plant from 1977 until his retirement in 2012, was a tireless advocate for workers’ rights. He served as vice president and later president of Local 351L, holding the latter position from 2001 to 2012, and was remembered for his unwavering commitment to middle-class workers.
Five other labor leaders were also inducted into the Hall of Fame for their significant contributions to Alabama’s labor movement:
Dexter Beams, USW Local 351L
Dwight Cagle, United Mine Workers of America (UMWA)
Sammy Dotson, International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 312
Gary Reaves, IBEW Local 136
Harrison Whisonant, United Association (UA) Local 91
The 2024 Friend of Labor award was bestowed upon Jeff Peoples, Chairman, President, and CEO of Alabama Power. With over 40 years of experience in the energy industry, Peoples has been instrumental in forging a strong labor-management partnership, working closely with local, regional, and national labor leaders. His efforts have bolstered Alabama Power’s relationship with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), whose members make up about 40% of the company’s workforce, and with the North America’s Building Trades Unions, which provide contract workers for the company’s facilities across the state.
“Receiving this award is one of the biggest honors of my career,” Peoples remarked. “At Alabama Power, we are proud of our partnership with organized labor. Together, we are able to provide dependable power for our customers and help elevate communities across our state.”
In addition to recognizing these leaders, the banquet also underscored the foundation’s commitment to education, as AOLAF awarded $29,000 in trade and academic scholarships to students from across Alabama.
The evening’s events highlighted the enduring impact of organized labor in Alabama and the continued dedication to supporting the state’s workforce and communities.
