The 24th Annual Berkshire Central Labor Council Legislative Breakfast was held on Sunday, October 18th 2009. It turned out to be a very special day for Robert Wilson, business agent of IBEW Local 7 of Springfield and Robert Bower, Political Director of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO.

Wilson was named this year’s Labor Person of the Year during the breakfast held at the Sons of Italy in Pittsfield. Over 200 residents, state and local officials were present for the awarding.
Last year’s Labor Person of the year, Robert Lucido, Business Manager of Operating Engineers Local 98, introduced Wilson to the audience. Lucido stated how much dedication one must have when involved in the Labor Movement; “It’s personal time you give up. Time with family. So you have to be a special person to do it, and Bob Wilson is a special person. Your time is not your own, but you do it because you want to help people." Lucido went on to say how Wilson is a man who possesses special qualities that puts other people in front of himself.

Wilson’s hometown is Hampden, MA. He graduated from Minnechaug Regional High School in 1984 and attended Springfield Technical Community College. His first involvement with labor came when he was selected into the IBEW Local 7 Electrical Apprenticeship Program as a Journeyman Wireman. In 2006 Wilson became full-time with IBEW Local 7 and became the Business Agent he is today.

The Berkshire Central Labor Council proudly presented Robert Bower as the first ever recipient of the U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy Memorial Award. The award was created to honor a person for their great dedication to the Labor Movement just as our beloved late U.S. Senator Kennedy had. Bower was honored for being a tremendous asset to help the Labor Council elect “Friends of Labor” and for doing a remarkable job as the Director of Mass. State Committee on Political Education (C.O.P.E.). He was also recognized for his great efforts and commitment to the greater good of the Labor Movement and working families.

Click here to read the story about this event that appeared in the Berkshire Eagle.