On December 6, 2025, Local 2 Insulators held their annual Christmas party at Rivers Casino, where awards and honors were presented to union members. Business Agent Dan Cassidy, who announced his retirement at the first union meeting of 2025, was presented with the Jackie Kane Award.
The Jackie Kane Award is presented to a retired insulator who has made significant contributions to the growth, strength, and success of the union. It is one of the highest honors a Local 2 Insulator can receive.
“Jackie Kane was a visionary. He had the foresight to help establish our pension and annuity funds. He was one of the smartest people I ever met and a true union pioneer,” said Business Manager James Cassidy.
Throughout his 37-year career, Dan Cassidy followed in the footsteps of union leaders like Jackie Kane. As a leader, he consistently put the needs of his union brothers and sisters first. Among his proudest accomplishments were meeting manpower demands during the cracker boom and helping members return to work during and after COVID. When asked what advice he would offer future leaders, he said, “Fight for what you believe is right, ask questions, and treat people the way you would like to be treated.”
In addition to the Jackie Kane Award presentation, the annual holiday party also featured the union’s pin ceremony, which recognizes members who have reached career milestones based on years of service. This year, pins were awarded to members with 15 to 55 years of service.
Here is a list of this year’s pin recipients:
55 Years:
- James Rowlands
- Robert Vietmeier
50 Years:
- Brian Collins
- William Hudson III
- Kenneth Birmingham
25 Years:
- Robert Alt
- Johnathan Augustine
- William Biernesser
- Steven Biernesser
20 Years:
- Carl Cassidy
15 Years:
- Jeremiah Feathers
- Bradley Schafer
- William Heasley