SONG/CEP 87 M President Brad Honywill (left) presents this year's Fred Jones Award for service to the Local to Toronto Star Unit Vice-Chair Dan Smith at Rep Council meeting in London on September 16.

Dan was recognized for almost two decades of activism at the Star, particularly for his efforts on behalf of about 400 members in the Star editorial department. Fred Jones was a long-time labour beat reporter at the Toronto Telegram and played a key role in the organizing drives at three Toronto daily newspapers in the late 1940s and early 1950s that started this Local. In 1954 he became president of what was then the Toronto Newspaper Guild, serving until 1956 when he became a rep with the international union, The Newspaper Guild. He took a leave from the international to serve as Local Executive Secretary from 1967 through 1972, retiring as an activist in 1981 after three decades of service to labour.

An award was created after his death in 1988, which is handed out annually in recognition of service to Local 87-M. Nominees are to be judged on their achievements within the Local or their unit, considering contributions to organizing, union-building, human rights, health and safety, etc. The first award was given to Joyce McKerrow of the Toronto Star for service in 1989.