By CARL GREEN
Correspondent

Belleville, IL — If it seems like David Beard has been a high-ranking leader among the Iron Workers for a long time, it’s because he has. But on Aug. 29, he received his due from the Southwestern Illinois Central Labor Council at its well-attended annual awards banquet, as always at Bel-Air Bowl.

Beard was named the George R. Badgley Labor Man of the Year in recognition of his long career of leadership and ever-higher positions in the union, which have made him a national figure within the Labor Movement.

With bowling sounds echoing from above, Council President Scot Luchtefeld said he was pleased to present the award to Beard.

“This is really and truly a great honor, because this gentleman is from Monroe County, and that’s where I live — and I’ve known him for a few years,” Luchtefeld said. “He didn’t know about it until he showed up here tonight and saw his wife, Mary, and kids. That’s how good a job they did.”

Beard noted: “When I sat down tonight, my wife said I would need my glasses. I said, ‘What for?’”

THE UNION SON
Beard became an iron worker in 1982 as a member of Local 392 in East St. Louis. He had been a union son – his father was a Laborers member and his mother was in the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW). He is a father of four and is also a local police officer.

“I am very thankful that I was born to a mother and father who were part of Labor organizations,” Beard said upon receiving the Badgley award. His parents are Adrian Beard Jr. and Deanna Beard of Pocahontas, Ill.

With Local 392, Beard served as a trustee, then on the executive board and as vice president before being elected business manager in 2003 and then financial secretary, a position he held for more than a decade. He moved on to the to St. Louis District Council as financial secretary in 2013, and became its president.

He headed the Iron Workers’ District Council, with nine district locals, and then was elected general vice president of the International Union. He later served as vice president of the Illinois AFL-CIO.

BORN UNION
Beard was not forewarned about the honor, but he managed to make some stirring remarks off the cuff that riled up the big crowd in attendance.

“I’m thankful I was born to a mother and father who were part of a Labor association,” he said, noting that his father was an iron worker in Local 100 and then in Local 392, and that he himself went to work for Cerro Copper as soon as he finished high school.

“I was very fortunate that I was born in East St. Louis and grew up there,” he said. “There was no better union area. There is nothing like right here. Unfortunately, there are a whole lot of our members who don’t really realize that. We’ve got to do a better job of teaching them just how lucky they have it.”

He added: “I spend a lot of time in Arkansas. Ask them what a PLA is, they think it must be a new Chrysler! They have no idea.” The crowd roared with laughter.

Beard then recalled a meeting he attended in New York. “They’re talking about how much they want on jobs, and they’re like, ‘We’re going to demand 50 percent.’ I say, ‘50 percent? My people don’t say anything other than 100 percent! What’s going on here?’” The crowd erupted again.

“We are friends,” Beard said in conclusion. “We stick together. We all fight the same fight, and that’s what keeps us strong. Fragmentation doesn’t do anything but beat us.”

LABOR WOMAN OF THE YEAR: BARBARA OUTTEN
Barbara Outten has served Teachers Local 1220 and School District 189 for more than 30 years as a teacher, union negotiator, steward, strike captain, delegate and leader in the bell-ringing campaign.

“Barbara has a passion for workers’ rights, fair and impartial treatment and equality for all union members, and a strong belief that all public school students deserve a quality education,” Luchtefeld said. “She can be counted on to step up and serve in whatever capacity her union needs her.”

It didn’t start out that way. Outten said she began in non-union, clerk-type jobs so she could go to  school. “I knew that in order to do what I wanted to do, I had to put myself through college,” she said.

She worked for eight years at a non-union bank that then arbitrarily cut her pay.

“That made me really appreciate those people who had union jobs,” she said. “If that had been a union job, that never would have happened.”

As a result, she decided to always support unions. “That’s what I’ve tried to do,” she said. “We’ve got to keep our jobs and our unions strong.”

Outten thanked Local 1220 President Terry Turley for his inspiration and leadership. She also thanked the council for honoring her. A table full of her fellow teachers cheered her on with enthusiasm.

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD: KERRY BREATHIER
Kerry Breathier, a retiree from Monsanto, was honored with the Community Service Award, presented to him by Eddie Caumian of AFSCME. Breathier worked in leadership training and other capacities with the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts from 1988 through 2010, both in the U.S. and Great Britain.

Breathier also volunteered with youth bowling, Special Olympics and as a St. Louis Master Gardener and Illinois Master Naturalist. Breathier also has helped with black belt karate, photography and the Illinois Academy of Science.

“I like to volunteer and I’ll continue doing it,” Breathier said. “Thank all of you for helping me.”