From left, Kimberly Whitlock and Sean Gibbons.
ROCHESTER — Two Western Region activists were recently honored by the Rochester & Genesee Valley Area Labor Federation for their efforts to get out the vote during the election cycle.
Kimberly Whitlock, a Rochester State Employees Local activist who works as a workers’ compensation examiner, and Sean Gibbons, a Monroe County Local activist and pure waters laboratory assistant, were honored for their outstanding achievement, commitment, dedication and extraordinary efforts.
Western Region President Flo Tripi, also a vice president of the area labor federation, was one of the presenters at this year’s event that also featured a keynote address by Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and author David Cay Johnston
Here is a list of the 2016 honorees:
The Working Families Advocate of the Year
Adam Bello
The Mother Jones Award for Sacrifice Above and Beyond
Steve Panton, RGVALF
Shirley Sobczak, Workers United RRJB
Outstanding Achievement in Political Action
Kimberly Whitlock, CSEA
Sean Gibbons, CSEA
The Rochester, NY Building and Construction Trades Council, AFL-CIO
The Jim Schmidt Community Solidarity Award
CWA Local 1170
NYSUT
The Labor Coalition Advocate of the Year
Workforce Development Institute
Bob Trouskie & Lynn Freid
The Jon Garlock Labor Educator of the Year Award
Mary Denise Schneider, CWA 1141
Apprentice Organizer of the Year
Christopher Roesch, NALC 210
Retiree of the Year
Betty Beverly, UAW 1097
Martin Horowitz, APWU Local 215
Rochester Labor Council, AFL- CIO Labor Day Parade Award
“Best Message”
Justice for Farmworkers
Rochester Labor Council, AFL- CIO Labor Day Parade Award
“Best Float”
Teamsters Local Union #118
Rochester Labor Council, AFL- CIO Labor Day Parade Award
“Most Spirited”
State Sen. Joe Robach and the Monroe County Wolverines
The Rochester Labor Council, AFL- CIO Lifetime Achievement Award
Denise Young, USW, PEF & Metro Justice
