Photo courtesy of Atlanta 527S

James Parker, Atlanta 527S vice president/ secretary, left, pauses with his AFL-CIO state labor man of the year award with GCIU Pres. George Tedeschi.

Atlanta 527S Vice Pres./Secy. James Parker, who has been active since he joined the union in 1962, was honored on July 8 as the Georgia AFL-CIO's "Labor Man of the Year."

During the presentation banquet in Atlanta, GCIU Pres. George Tedeschi called Parker "a great example of a person who cares deeply for the labor movement and for American working families."

Parker's involvement with his local started in September 1969 when he was first appointed an organizer and later elected to that position. Parker assumed the local vice presidency in 1984 and added the responsibilities of secretary when that office became vacant. He has held both offices ever since, servicing and representing about 1,200 workers in 37 companies under contract with Local 527S.

His other contributions to the labor movement include serving for 12 years as vice president of the Atlanta Labor Council. He also was president of GCIU's S7 Southern District Council and a trustee on his local's pension and health and welfare funds. Parker was also chairman of the local's credit union.

He is married and has two children and five grandchildren.