March 29 was a special day for members of AFSCME Local 1684.

At their annual awards dinner, the Humboldt Del Norte Central Labor Council named Local 1684 "Union of the Year," a well deserved honor for our members behind the Redwood Curtain.

For 50 years, the local, which was established in 1966, was the largest in the union that was not a closed shop. But that changed dramatically in recent years as leaders began getting members engaged, securing better contracts and showing that AFSCME was a positive force in Humboldt County.

The local now has 55 stewards and holds monthly meetings that overflow Eureka's Labor Temple.

"The membership has taken ownership of this union," said Mark Greeleaf, vice president of the Humboldt Del Norte Central Labor Council. "They're now having worksite lunches ran by the members. That's huge."