Don Etheridge Celebrates 50 Years Of Local 71 Membership

Don Etheridge has been not only a member but an integral part of Public Employees Local 71 for 50 Years. This week Business Manager Bill Meers presented Don with his 50-year card. Watch the video here from the presentation at the Alaska AFL-CIO Convention: IMG_2477Don Etheridge 50 Year Member Card 2026

Don initiated his membership on 8/27/1976. He’s been a working member, an agent, legislative liaison, and continued to pay his membership dues while working as the AFL-CIO Alaska lobbyist for the last few decades.

Don has been active in our membership meetings, elections, and community programs like Kids Don’t Float.

Don has been a force for our union for five decades. He’s trained everyone who has attended our Labor Fly-Ins at the Alaska Capitol. He’s welcome in offices with legislators, administrators, republicans, democrats, and everyone else. He’s an unapologetic advocate for working people with a motto to “Just be nice.”

Help us congratulate Brother (to some, Papa) Don Etheridge on his five decades of continuous service to this union and the lives he has touched along the way!