Although severe storms were forecasted throughout northern Illinois June 24, Mother Nature held off long enough for the Chicago & Western Lakes Port Council to get in a full day of golf and solidarity. More than eighty union members and friends gathered at Harborside International Golf Center in Chicago to support the Port Council’s annual Admiral’s Cup Challenge, honoring union leaders and friends who have worked to push the labor movement forward.
Before tee time, Chicago Port Maritime Council President, Bob Howard, kicked off the event with a thank you to all the attendees and a special introduction to newly elected Executive Secretary-Treasurer Jordan Esopa. Esopa thanked the Chicago Port Council for such a warm welcome and shared a few words. “In times like now, when we see labor being challenged, solidarity is what makes this movement move, so thank you for showing up today,” she said. EST Esopa also mentioned the current Jones Act waiver, warning of the negative impacts it has on maritime as well as the entire labor movement. 18 holes later, attendees gathered for a reception, enjoying raffle prizes and speeches from this year’s honorees.
John Gardiner, President and Business Manager of Ironworkers Local 1, received the Port Council’s Labor Leader of the Year Award. Brother Gardiner, a product of Northwest Chicago, followed his father and uncle into the trade in 1989. In addition, his three brothers, cousin, two nephews and his own son went on to join, adding to the family’s 275 combined years of ironworking. After 22 years of erecting steel in tandem with serving as Union Trustee and Recording Secretary, John was elected Business Agent in 2011 where he eventually rose to become President/Business Manager in 2023. That same year, John was elected as Vice President of the Chicago & Cook County Building Trades.
Chicago PMC also honored Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant as this year’s 2026 Honoree. A lifelong Will County resident and the county’s fourth Chief Executive Officer, Sister Bertino-Tarrant has built her career around education and public service. Starting out as a high school teacher, Jennifer went on to serve as school principal, and then was elected as Will County’s Regional Superintendent of Schools in 2006. She then served two terms as a State Senator in the Illinois General Assembly. Now as County Executive, Jennifer has directed investments in infrastructure, public safety, mental health services and workforce programs, while championing expanded transportation for seniors and people with disabilities throughout Will County.
Bruce Nelson accepted this years’ Friend of Labor Award. Bruce, a 45-year member of the Carpenters and a retiree of Local 272, started out as a rank and file member and then served for 26 years as Business Agent. In addition, he served as a delegate to the Carpenters regional council, trustee of the apprentice training program, and president of his local. For the past 16 years he has volunteered as a house carpenter at the Mission of Our Lady of the Angels in Humboldt Park, and he currently serves as treasurer of the Southland Friends of Labor.
David Maine, a life-long Laborer and retired leader from the LiUNA Local 5, also accepted this year’s Friend of Labor Award. Brother Maine has defended worker rights throughout his career and as he put it at the reception, “I always have, and I always will until the day I pass.”
The reception concluded with Local 5 Laborers clinching the Admiral’s Cup. Congratulations to the winners seen here accepting the award while sporting a “Jones Act: All American” sticker.
The Maritime Trades Department depends on the solidarity our port maritime councils build through events like the Admiral’s Cup. The MTD recognizes the time, dedication and hard work of the Chicago & Western Lakes PMC, with thanks to Marta Perales, President Bob Howard, Vice President John Grande and Secretary-Treasurer Tyson Little.