2017 George Meany Award Dinner

The Chicago Federation of Labor and the Boy Scouts of America is honored to recognize Mr. James Allen, the 2017 AFL-CIO George Meany Award recipient. Mr. Allen will be recognized for his dedication to the working families in our union trades and his service to the greater community. 

Chicago Federation of Labor President Jorge Ramirez and Pathway to Adventure Council President Stephen Schwab invite you to join the celebration on Monday, December 4, 2017. 

James Allen, president of the Administrative District Council, is a third-generation bricklayer who served his apprenticeship as both a bricklayer and a certified welder working in the residential and commercial markets in the Chicagoland area.

In 1988, Allen was appointed as a field representative for the Local 21 health and welfare funds where he was responsible for the collection of delinquent benefit funds owed to the membership.

In 1993, Allen was appointed as a business agent for the Local 21. He was elected vice president of the Local 21 in 1999 and became president of the Local 21 and the District Council in 2004.

In January 2009, the International Union merged all the district council locals into an Administrative District Council (ADC) and appointed Allen as president.

In his current position, President Allen has the responsibility of overseeing the day-to-day operations of the ADC.