MANY PEOPLE in Yakima, particularly those who work for the City, know him as “Mr. Union.” Vern Brown has earned the name for his active involvement in Local activities over nearly 30 years, for his ability to recruit new workers to the union and for his organization of the annual Central Labor Picnic.

And now Brown has been honored for his lifelong work for the union. At the 47th biennial convention, he was presented with the Mary Hersey Award, established in honor of Hersey, who revitalized the Women’s Committee after being appointed the Women’s Committee Advisor in 1980. She retired in 1992 and was presented with the first “Mary Hersey Award” in 1997. She died shortly thereafter.

Brown, employed by the City of Yakima’s Parks Department since 1974 and a Local 1122 member since it was formed in 1978, is the first male to receive the award.

"Vern’s passion for the welfare of his fellow employees throughout the City of Yakima has been second to none," Yvette Lewis, president of Local 1122, told the Women’s Action Committee breakfast at which the award was presented.

"The interests of others came before his own."

Brown was a source of inexhaustible energy, Lewis added. Mary Hersey knew that if she needed someone to do something, Brown was the one on whom she could depend.

"It would take three books to outline everything he has done."

Brown, a shop steward in the Parks Department, served on the executive board for most of that time — until this year. The reason he stepped down was that he plans to retire in December and felt someone new needed to be trained to take his place.

Aside from the union, he has served in various activities in the Yakima Arboretum, Boy Scouts, Cancer Walk and Kidney Foundation. He also is active in the Democratic Party in Yakima. "Where there was a cause Vern was there," Lewis said. "He is the most selfless individual I have ever met. I am sure everyone in his Local would agree."

Brown thanked the Women’s Action Committee for the award and said it was an honor to have been Mary’s friend.