W. Vernie Reed Scholarship

  • Every LIUNA Local in the Northwest Region qualifies for a $4,500 scholarship

  • In 2023, the scholarship awarded $11,000 to Laborers 483 members and family

  • It is open to Laborers’ 483 members, their children, and their grandchildren

  • The application can be found here: LIUNA Scholarship

Scholarship Information

In 1981 the W. Vernie Reed Scholarship Fund was established as a living memorial to the late W. Vernie Reed, General Secretary-Treasurer of the Laborers’ International Union of North America, who represented our Northwest Region. Since that time, the scholarship fund has awarded over 500 scholarships, totaling over $1 million dollars, to our members, their children, and grandchildren from various Local Unions throughout the Region. We should all take great pride that we have established such a fund in memory of one of LIUNA's past leaders, who fought so hard for every LIUNA member, Local Union and District Council. 

Through the generosity of Brother Reed’s friends and associates, a self-perpetuating fund will provide a program of yearly scholarships to assist eligible worthy students in furthering their four (4) year undergraduate education. The first award was made in the Spring of 1981. Scholarships are usually awarded before July.

Applications must be received by May 1st

W. Vernie Reed Memorial Scholarship

12101 Tukwila International Blvd, Ste 300, Seattle, WA 98168

For questions, please email us at liuna483@Liuna483.org or call the office at (503) 239-5676

PURPOSE OF THE FUND: A scholarship program for members, and their families, of the Laborers' International Union of North America, Northwest Region has been established as a living memorial to the late W. Vernie Reed, General Secretary-Treasurer of the International Union.

Through the generosity of Brother Reed's friends and associates, a self perpetuating fund will provide a program of yearly scholarships to assist eligible worthy students in furthering their undergraduate education. The first award was made in the Spring of 1981. Scholarships are usually awarded before July.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: Those eligible are men and women and their dependents (including their grandchildren) who are members of local unions of the Laborers’ International Union of North America, located in the states of Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Oregon,Wyoming, Colorado, Nevada and Utah in the United States of America, and in the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan in Canada. To be considered, a student must be in good standing in the final year of high school or attending a Community College or Trade School or a University full time.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES: The exact nature and content of the scholarship program will be determined on an annual basis by the Board of Directors. Whereas these scholarships are for the members of the Laborers’ International Union of North America, Northwest Region or their dependents, including grandchildren, announcements will be made at www.nwlaborers.org and www.nwliuna.org as well as to all Laborers' Local Unions throughout the region. The announcements will explain the present annual program available and any specifics involved in applying.

There shall be no discrimination based on race, color, creed, national origin, age or gender identity in the selection process or the administration of the scholarship program.

The following general scholarship criteria may be considered in making the selections:

1. Academic attainments (i.e. test scores, grade point average, class ranking)

2. Character

3. Need

4. Anticipated field of study

5. Extra curricular accomplishments including leadership and service

6. Employment history

7. Other (as may seem applicable to the scholarship program in question)