Labor Council President Inducted in Labor Hall of Fame

Raymond "B.B." Smith, a 50-year union member and president of the Marshall-Wetzel-Tyler Labor Council, was inducted into the Southwestern District Labor Council Hall of Fame during a ceremony this month in Huntington.

"I am tremendously honored to be included among the many West Virginia labor leaders who have dedicated countless hours to elevate the lives of workers and to improve their communities," Smith said. "Unions provide invaluable services for our state's workforce and their families, and I am proud to have dedicated my career to supporting them."

The Southwestern District Labor Council's Hall of Fame awards were established in 2003 to recognize state labor leaders who have done outstanding work to benefit working men, women, their families and their communities.

Smith graduated from Duval High School in 1968, and two days later he went to work in a union boilermaker shop. In 2018, he celebrated being in the Boilermakers Union for 50 years. He was chairman of Local 667's Legislative Committee for 25 years.

A proud veteran of Vietnam, Smith served with the 23 Infantry Division and was awarded a Bronze Star and a Vietnam Cross of Gallantry.

From 1994 until his retirement in 2004, Smith worked for the Affiliated Construction Trades as Legislative Liaison.

He served four years as the Vice President of the West Virginia AFL-CIO and is serving his 10th term as President of the Marshall-Wetzel-Tyler Labor Council.