LA City Controller Wendy Greuel presented the award to Schoonover, whom she called "a mensch," which is yiddish for "a decent human being with a sense of purpose," said Greuel. "Bob's work inspires and motivates me." she added. "We're all better off in our community and city because of the leadership of Bob Schoonover."

In accepting the award, which is named for SEIU labor leader Elinor Glenn, Schoonover didn't reflect much on his past. Instead, he urged the hundreds assembled in the room to look at Labor's future in California--particularly if Prop 32 passes this November. 

"If 32 passes we will become a country of the rich and the poor," Schoonover said. "California will become Wisconsin. Collective bargaining with disappear."

Before leaving the stage, Schoonover urged his audience to mobilize against the Special Exemptions Act, which would silence the voices of working men and women across California. "We gotta win it and win it now!"

Click below to view a slideshow from the Jewish Labor Committee Western Region's 78th Anniversary Annual Awards Brunch, held at Loew's Hollywood Hotel in Los Angeles.