Chicago, IL
In all of his years of service to working people, Vice President Jake West, former president of the Ironworkers, has remained steadfast and strong in his dedication to the fight for good wages, benefits, health and safety, and working conditions for the members of his union, his industry and the labor movement.
He began his career as a member of Ironworkers Local 301 in Charleston, West Virginia, in 1948, later becoming a member of Local 433 in Los Angeles where he rose steadily through the ranks of the local union’s elected leadership. He had also served as president of the California and Vicinity District Council of Ironworkers.
West was elected as a general vice president of his national union in 1983. In 1985, he was elected general secretary of the Ironworkers, and he served as the union’s national president from 1989 to 2001. He was elected to the AFL-CIO Executive Council in 1995.
A strong supporter of the value of solidarity in the labor movement, Vice President West helped shape priorities and policy as a member of the governing boards of the Building and Construction Trades Department, Metal Trades Department, Maritime Trades Department and Union Label and Services Trades Departments of the AFL-CIO.
Throughout his career, he shared his expertise and his commitment to the best interests of his members in his many efforts as a director and chairman or trustee of union and joint labor-management organizations and of key organizations including his union’s apprenticeship and training fund.
As a member of the AFL-CIO Executive Council, Vice President West continued to demonstrate his unflagging dedication to a strong, vital and growing labor movement that brings the benefits of free, fair collective bargaining and a united voice in the workplace to all working people.
With the thanks of the men and women of the unions of the AFL-CIO, the Executive Council extends gratitude and appreciation to Jake West for his tireless devotion to the members of his union and to a vigorous and united labor movement.