The award recognizes a local union member or staff person whose volunteer service to the community honors the spirit of involvement exhibited by the late Joseph H. Mason.

The Salute to Labor Dinner to celebrate this year’s award winner will be held on August 9 at the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel.

Joe Mason was the Directing Business Representative of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, District 65, representing southwestern New York and northwestern Pennsylvania. His reputation for standing up for the causes of labor, most importantly impacting the day-to-day lives of working men and women in our area, is well known. A long-standing member of the United Way Board of Directors, Joe exemplified labor’s commitment to serving the community through his devotion to the United Way campaign.

The nomination form for a union member, active or retired, who has provided outstanding volunteer service in Southern Chautauqua County can be found at https://www.uwayscc.org/joseph-h-mason-community-service-award.

Completed forms should be sent by mail to United Way of Southern Chautauqua County at 208 Pine Street, Jamestown, NY 14701.

Nominations are due by June 8, 2023.

EDITOR’S NOTE: As a point of transparency and disclosure to our audience, United Way of Southern Chautauqua County is a corporate underwriter for WRFA and has provided a financial contribution for the general operations of the station within the past year. Funding we receive for General Operations is not used to fund our coverage of local news in the community. That is only made possible through a Community Service Grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. 

2021 Joseph H. Mason Award winner Burl Swanson and his family

The United Way of Southern Chautauqua County is seeking nominations for the Joseph H. Mason Award.

The award is given to a union member or staff person whose volunteer service to the community honors the spirit of involvement exhibited by the late Joseph H. Mason.

Those interested in nominating someone can visit https://www.uwayscc.org/joseph-h-mason-community-service-award to download a nomination form.

Completed forms can be sent by mail to United Way of Southern Chautauqua County at 208 Pine Street, Jamestown, NY 14701 or emailed to Nicole Gustafson at ngustafson@uwayscc.org.

Nominations are due by June 8, 2022.

The Salute to Labor Dinner to celebrate this year’s award will be held on August 10 at the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel. Burl Swanson, a member of the Communication Workers of America (CWA) 1115 Union, was recognized as the 2021 Joseph H. Mason Award winner.