Boy Scouts Honor Local

 Labor Activist  With Prestigious George Meany Award

Christian E. Barranco, a Local 102 union electrician from Jefferson, NJ, was recently honored by the Northern New Jersey Chapter of the Boy Scouts of America.

Barranco, was presented with the George Meany Award, which is bestowed to a Union member who has made significant contributions to the youth in their community through scouting. Barranco, along with the IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) Local 102 has been a strong supporter of scouting and its goals. The award was presented at a ceremony at the Stony Hill Inn in Hackensack.

“I’m extremely honored and humbled to receive the George Meany Award from the Boy Scouts. Anyone who knows what Mr. Meany meant to this country’s labor relations and business dealings knows what I mean when I say that for me to stand in the shadow of a giant of American Labor and business, is a distinct honor; as is being recognized by the Boy Scouts and supported by my Union for this prestigious award,” said Barranco.

Meany was a legendary labor leader, who created the AFL-CIO (The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations) in 1955 and served as its first president. Each AFL-CIO central labor council and each AFL-CIO state federation is permitted to give one George Meany award annually.

Barranco said he is proud to support scouting because it builds character and self-reliance. “Scouting instills in boys and girls the values that have made America the great nation it is. It teaches them to put others — and God and Country — ahead of themselves and instill in them a dedication to service that we need so dearly in this country.”

In addition to his labor affiliation, Barranco is the founder of the North Jersey Rough Riders Society -a labor-business-government advocacy organization and the newly formed Square Deal for NJ organization, which is focusing on finding solutions to New Jersey’s economic and social problems.

Pictured with Mr. Barranco are Jack Desch, US Army Veteran and owner of JDA Associates in Riverdale, NJ.