On Friday 7, 2022, IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. and IAM Organizing Director Vinny Addeo presented the 4th International President’s Excellence in Organizing Awards recognising organizers and territories who have demonstrated a superb commitment to growing the strength of the IAM.
Canadian organisers shone once again, taking top honours with the Eastern Territory for the distinction of being the top territory in organising new members into the IAM.
“The Brothers and Sisters who are about to be recognized have made all of that happen,” said President Martinez Jr. “They deserve our thanks and recognition for bringing justice on the job to our newest members.”
The awards ceremony was only the second presentation conducted in person since it began in 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Today’s award recipients deserve even more recognition for their steadfast commitment to growing our Union under these unforeseen challenges and circumstances of the pandemic from 2020 through 2021,” said IAM Organizing Director Vinny Addeo.
Canadian General Vice-President Dave Chartrand congratulated all the organisers – those who won awards and those who continue to work hard to bring new members into the IAM. “We see the benefits that these organisers bring to the IAM. I’ve been on organising drives and I know how difficult it is. Not only do they bring in new members, they make life a whole lot easier for workers. I applaud the time and energy each one of our organisers puts in on a daily basis.”
Accolades for this year’s ceremony were given to the top Organizing District or Local from each respective territory, the top individual organizer from each respective territory, the top organizing territory, and the top individual organizer.
2021 IAM Top Territory Organizing Distinction
Eastern Territory and Canadian Territory
2021 IAM Organizer of the Year
Grand Lodge Representative Bridget Fitzgerald
2021 Special Organizing Recognition Awards
Chief of Staff to the IP – Monica Lee Silbas
Associate General Counsel – Laura Ewan
2021 Top District/Local Organizing Distinctions
Eastern Territory – Top District: District Lodge 5
Individual: Jay Wadleigh, District Lodge 4 DBR
Western Territory – Top District: District Lodge 160
Individual: Melissa Demyan, District Lodge 160 Organizer
Midwest Territory – Top District: District Lodge 9
Individual: Bob Beloit, District Lodge 9 Organizer
Southern Territory – Top District: District Lodge 776
Individual: Joe Greaser, Grand Lodge Representative
Canadian Territory – Top District: District Lodge 140
Individual: Al Cyr, District Lodge 250 Organizer
Transportation – Top District: District Lodge 141
Individual: Carmelo Benedicto, Local Lodge 914 Organizer
IAM Headquarters – Individual: Jason Woodward, Grand Lodge Representative
(With files from goiam.org)
