Tag Archives: Italian American Labor Council

The Italian American Labor Council honored Lawrence Picardi Sr. as Man of the Year at its dinner dance on Oct. 14 at the Drury Lane Oak Brook in Oakbrook Terrace. Picardi is the financial secretary treasurer of Cement Masons Union Local 502. His father brought him into the union as an apprentice in 1980, and he worked for years for various Chicago-area contractors as a foreman and union steward. Picardi was elected as a trustee of the local’s Welfare Fund in 1988, a member of its executive board in 1997 and its business agent in 2006. In 2012, he was …

The Italian American Labor Council honored Michael Somone as its 2019 Man of the Year, and the Amalgamated Bank of Chicago VP couldn’t have been prouder. “It was so great to be surrounded by all of my friends in the labor movement and to accept the award with my parents, Tom and Antoinette, in the audience,” Somone says. “And the framed copy of the pages that appeared in Fra Noi were a wonderful touch. It made the night even more special. I was so very humbled by the entire evening.”

The Italian American Labor Council honored Michael Somone as Man of the Year at an Oct. 9 dinner-dance at the Local 150 Banquet Hall in Countryside. (312-339-1437) The following profile was provided by the organization: “Michael has a family history in labor that dates back three generations, and he proudly upholds that legacy every day,” says IALC President Anthony Guida. “We’re honored to present him with this year’s Man of the Year Award.” Michael’s grandfather, an officer and International Vice President of HERE, first introduced him to organized labor. Michael’s union membership expands over 35 years. In 1983, Michael became …

The Italian American Labor Council of Greater Chicago honored Ralph Affrunti on Oct. 13 at Alta Villa Banquets in Addison. (630-853-9052) The following bio is provided by the organization. Ralph Affrunti Ralph Affrunti was elected president of the Chicago and Cook County Building and Construction Trades Council in February 2016. He started his apprenticeship in the Terrazzo Trade in the fall of 1989 with the Carpenters International Union. After finishing his three-year apprenticeship and becoming a journeyman, he was elected to the finance committee of Local 89T. In 1992, Ralph was elected to the Executive Board of Local 89T. He …

The Italian American Labor Council of Greater Chicago honored gubernatorial candidate Chris Kennedy as Man of the Year on Oct. 14 at Alta Villa Banquets in Addison. “Chris is an extremely successful businessman with a heart as big as the state of Illinois,” says IALC President Anthony Guida. “We’re so proud to present this year’s Man of the Year Award to him.” Kennedy and his wife, Sheila, run Top Box Foods, a hunger-relief non-profit they founded to deliver high-quality, healthy, affordable foods to underserved neighborhoods. Previously, he served as Chairman of the Board of the Greater Chicago Food Depository, the …

The Italian American Labor Council of Greater Chicago will honor Archbishop Blase Joseph Cupich with its Man of the Year Award at the organization’s 2016 gala on Oct. 22 at Alta Villa Banquets in Addison. “Archbishop Cupich is a man of deep humility and faith,” says IALC President Tony Guida. “It’s a true privilege to be able to celebrate his life and accomplishments.” Blase Joseph Cupich was born on March 19, 1949, in Omaha, Nebraska, to Blase and Mary (Mayhan) Cupich. He is one of nine children, with five sisters and three brothers. Archbishop Cupich was ordained to the priesthood …

Anthony Guida took over as president of the Italian American Labor Council of Greater Chicago in January 2015. A member since 2007 and a director since 2008, Guida was drawn to the organization by what it represents and accomplishes, and the sense of family and charity that the organization fosters. “Our mission is to help Italian Americans succeed in labor and I feel that we do that,” he says. “It’s a great group of people who have a good time when we get together, and we enjoy helping other people like De Paul’s Labor Education Center, City of Hope and …

The Italian American Labor Council honored one of its own as Man of the Year on Oct. 3 at Alta Villa Banquets in Addison. This year’s honoree was IALC President Emeritus Joseph Serpico. Serpico is a Past President of Local 1031 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the retired Union Services Vice President of the Amalgamated Bank of Chicago. Joe’s father, a member of the Railroad Workers Union for 42 years, first introduced him to organized labor. Joe was a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 1031, since his employment in 1965 at the Rauland Division …

The Italian American Labor Council of Greater Chicago will honor one of the state’s top labor leaders as Man of the Year at its October dinner dance. The event will take place on Oct. 12 at Alta Villa Banquets in Addison. For details, call 312-485-3100, e-mail ialc2009@aol.com or visit www.chicagoialc.com. Michael T. Carrigan was elected President of the Illinois AFL-CIO on Feb. 28, 2007, by unanimous decision of the State Federation Executive Board, to serve out the remainder of the unexpired term of retired president Margaret Blackshere. In October of 2008, he was elected to serve a four-year term as …

The Italian American Labor Council will honor International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers lynchpin Robert W. Pierson at its 2013 Man of the Year Gala on Oct. 5 at Alta Villa Banquets in Addison. Robert W. Pierson has served as Business Manager of IBEW Local 9 since July 1997 and as Chairman of the International Executive Council of the IBEW since Nov. 1, 2005. Bob was initiated into Local 9 on Dec. 1, 1966. As a direct result of his dedication and loyalty to Local 9, to the Brotherhood and for the betterment of the IBEW, Bob was appointed a business …