The 34th annual East Central Iowa/Northwestern Illinois AFL-CIO Hall of Fame Banquet, hosted by the Quad City Federation of Labor, will be held Saturday, Oct. 11, at the Isle Casino Hotel Bettendorf.
The event will begin with a social hour at 5:30 p.m., followed by the 6:30 p.m. banquet, led by the Vietnam Veterans Honor Guard 669 Rock Island Chapter.
Each year, the AFL-CIO Hall of Fame Awards Ceremony honors union members who have shown exceptional dedication in their work, civic, and community services. Proceeds support civic engagement, educational opportunities, community outreach, and member-to-member communication.
This year’s Hall of Fame inductees are: James A. Reynolds of UAW Local 1304 and, posthumously, Brian Ripple of UAW Local 281.
The John White Community Service Award will be presented to UA Local Union 25 Plumbers & Pipefitters. This award recognizes a union, or a union brother or sister, who significantly contributes to their union, fellow members, and various community organizations, including United Way Quad Cities.
The keynote speaker will be social media personality David Knipp, also known as The Proud Union Guy, from Heat & Frost Insulators Local 1 in St. Louis. Born and raised in Auxvasse, Missouri,Mr. Knipp learned the value of hard work and solidarity. In 1996, he began as a nonunion mechanical insulator with HTH Companies, experiencing challenges without union protection.
In 2009, he organized into Heat and Frost Insulators Local 1, dedicating himself to labor activism. Today as “The Proud Union Guy” he has more than 150,000 followers across TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube, reaching millions monthly. He initiates discussions about unionizing and inspires action, with viewers crediting his videos for motivating them to join a union.
Here’s the AFL-CIO’s closer look at the Hall of Fame honorees:
James “Big Jim” Reynolds
James A. Reynolds, “Big Jim,” started at International Harvester in March 1963, quickly becoming a union leader. He was elected president of Local 1304 in 1978, serving until his retirement in 1993. During his 15-year tenure, he was a delegate to UAW Conventions and active in various UAW councils, including the UAW Harvester Council and the UAW Agricultural Implement and Construction Equipment Council.
Mr. Reynolds also served as Western Township supervisor, on the Henry County Tax Board of Review, and as a loaned executive for United Way for 10 years. He chaired the Henry County Democrats for two decades and co-chaired the Orion High School After Prom Program with his wife, Carol.
His past honors include the Douglas Frazier Community Service Award and the Distinguished Service Award from the Illinois Democratic Party.
In 2004, Jim and Carol moved to The Villages, Florida, where they helped organize the Van Buren Way Social Club and provided AEDs to their neighborhood. They celebrated their 50th anniversary before Carol’s death in 2004. They raised a blended family of four boys and a girl, with eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Brian Ripple
Brian Ripple, born Nov. 10, 1985, in Moline, began his career as a welder at John Deere Davenport Works on June 6, 2005, a proud fourth-generation UAW member.
Mr. Ripple was serving his third term as vice president of UAW Local 281 when he died. He started as an alternate steward in 2008, becoming full-time in 2011. He was elected CAP delegate, becoming chair of SE Iowa CAP in 2017 and serving on the Iowa State Board for CAP.
A passionate advocate for working-class men and women, Mr. Ripple volunteered countless hours for political candidates and lobbied congressional leaders in Washington, D.C. He protested Right to Work laws in Madison, Wisconsin, and was twice elected as a Constitutional Convention Delegate.
Beyond official roles, he was active in Community Service, Communication, Education, and By-Laws committees, particularly enjoying assembling bikes for the Salvation Army Angel Tree.
2025 John White Community Service Award
Unions, driven by compassion and justice, embody solidarity, dignity, and commitment to building better futures, impacting communities beyond workplace negotiations, the AFL-CIO said. UA Local Union 25 exemplifies this through inspiring community involvement such as:
- Hosting annual/semi-annual fundraisers for veteran groups, families of deceased veterans, and nonprofits.
- Volunteering for nonprofits such as United Way Quad Cities, Living Lands & Waters, and Bridging The Gap.
- Donating materials and labor to assist disabled or elderly community members.
- Donating blood to IMPACT Life Blood Drives and collecting toys for Toys for Tots.
- Providing monetary contributions to 10 hospitals during crises, supporting students via United Way’s United For Schools, helping families achieve financial security, providing quality healthcare, and pairing children with mentors through Big Brothers/Big Sisters.
The UA Local Union 25 Plumbers & Pipefitters Board of Directors and members consistently create community opportunities. This award honors their dedication to driving change, touching lives, lifting spirits, and strengthening the community.
