United Media Guild business representative Shannon Duffy has remained on the forefront of movement building during his long career in organized labor.
His tenure at UMG has featured closer interaction with activists at Missouri Jobs with Justice, Mid-South Organizing Committee and Workers Interfaith Network. Duffy has volunteered untold hours helping many other progressive groups in their fight for economic and social equality.
So it was only fitting that The News Guild honored Duffy with its first Larry Cohen Movement Builder award at the national Communications Workers of America convention in Detroit.
This prestigious national award is named after retiring CWA president Larry Cohen, who has championed coalition building between organized labor, faith groups and various social activism groups.
Cohen was on hand for the presentation from TNG-CWA president Bernie Lunzer, who originally brought Duffy into the Guild as in support of workers fighting for a contract at the Memphis Commercial Appeal.
Duffy’s ability to build public support for those newspaper employees brought him to the attention of UMG, then known as the St. Louis Newspaper Guild. Since his hiring as business representative we have broadened our membership and support bases in this region.