Honoring Labor’s Strength: AFSCME’s Steve Tully Receives Mercer County Knights of Labor Award
On October 24, 2025, the Mercer County AFL-CIO Central Labor Council hosted its 37th Annual Knights of Labor Dinner, an evening dedicated to recognizing the leaders and allies who embody the strength, solidarity, and spirit of New Jersey’s labor movement.
Each year, the Mercer County Central Labor Council presents two major honors: the Knights of Labor Award, given to union leaders who demonstrate exceptional dedication to working people, and the Friend of Labor Award, recognizing elected officials who champion labor’s cause.
This year’s honorees were a reflection of labor’s broad and powerful coalition. Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, IBEW Executive Board Member Michael T. Wright, and AFSCME Council 63 Executive Director Steven M. Tully.
A Lifetime of Leadership and Service
Steve Tully has dedicated more than three decades to the labor movement, from his early days as an organizer and staff representative to his current role leading AFSCME Council 63, representing 20,000 public service workers across New Jersey. His leadership is marked by a steadfast commitment to fairness, unity, and mentoring the next generation of union activists.
Introduced by Mercer CLC President Michelle Liebtag, Tully was praised for his lifelong devotion to workers’ rights and his deep understanding of what it means to lead by example. “Steve comes from a union family and lives a life of service to his union, to his family, and to the organizations that benefit from his leadership,” Liebtag said.
“This Award Is for the Members”
When Tully took the stage, he made one thing clear: this recognition wasn’t about him, it was about the members.
“I’ll be getting a plaque tonight, and it’ll say, Steve M. Tully,” he said, “but the fact is, it’s because of you. You are the backbone of this union. You should be the ones getting this award.”
His remarks celebrated AFSCME’s statewide unity and the power of its membership, crediting the union’s transformation to the collaboration and commitment of his team and fellow leaders. “Over the last seven years, with Debbie Parks, Ron McMullen, and our incredible staff and members, we’ve become as strong as a lion, and I’m just lucky enough to give the roar.”
A Call to Action
Tully also used the moment to rally the labor movement around the upcoming election, emphasizing the importance of member engagement and solidarity. “We are the ground game,” he said. “This election will be won by talking to voters and members, and by supporting candidates who stand with working people, like Mikie Sherrill and Dale Caldwell.”
His closing words captured the essence of what it means to be part of AFSCME and the broader labor family: “Every fight you take on makes your workplace a little bit better and a little bit fairer. That’s what this movement is all about.”
Celebrating a True Champion of Labor
The evening concluded with recognition from local, state, and federal officials, including proclamations from the U.S. Congress, New Jersey Legislature, and Mercer County honoring Tully’s decades of leadership.
Through humility, conviction, and a lifelong commitment to working people, Steve Tully continues to exemplify what it means to be a true Knight of Labor, a leader who doesn’t seek the spotlight, but who shines it on the movement and members he serves.
