TWU Local 101 is mourning the unexpected passing of its beloved President Michael Conigliaro. He was only 58 years old.
Mike died of an apparent heart attack Tuesday morning at his home on Staten Island.
Local 101 Secretary-Treasurer Constance Bradley broke the tragic news to National Grid and HomeServe employees in an email blast.
“We all loved Mike as a Union brother and as a great leader,” Bradley said. “No one can express how deeply we will miss Mike. Please keep Mike’s family in your prayers.”
In addition to being president of Local 101, Mike was a TWU International Vice President, and one of the International’s ablest and most dynamic leaders.
TWU Local 100 President and International Executive Vice President John Samuelsen expressed profound grief on behalf of the city’s 38,000 bus and subway workers.
“This is an incredibly sad moment for Local 100 and the entire labor movement in New York City,” Samuelsen said. “He was a tremendous leader for his members in Local 101, and was like a brother to me and well loved by everyone here in Local 100. Our hearts and prayers go out to his family, and to the family of Local 101 during this trying time.”
Mike was elected Local 101 President in September 2012 after serving nearly 20 years as Vice President. He also served as Recording Secretary.
With keen intelligence and a sharp wit, Mike steered Local 101 through two tumultuous corporate takeovers of the venerable Brooklyn Union Gas Co., first by the Keyspan Corporation in 1998 and then by international energy conglomerate National Grid in 2006. He skillfully resisted all efforts to marginalize the workforce, and protected their contracts and benefits against demands for major givebacks.
As news of his death spread though National Grid’s facilities in Brooklyn and Queens, more than a few workers were unable to continue. They returned their trucks and walked out of National Grid facilities.
“That’s the kind of man we are grieving,” said Local 101 Retired Vice President Josephine Arroyo said. “He was a great father, a great grandfather and he treated his members like his own family.”
Under Mike’s leadership, Local 101’s membership grew from about 1,200 to 1,600 and its growth is expected into 2017. He negotiated a 5-year contract with National Grid that gave workers 13.5% raises and free dental.
“He was a proud union man and he inspired others to share that pride and engagement in the labor movement,” Recording Secretary Joe Coscia said.
Executive Board members Stephen Sipp and Bruce Cox said Mike was universally respected, and he will always be remembered for the unflagging support he gave to his fellow union members.
“He never turned anyone away,” Sipp said. “He helped everyone. He fought for everyone.”
Mike also encouraged members to participate in our Democracy by voting, and he launched a successful voter-registration drive at National Grid properties.
Mike came from a strong union family with ties to labor across the city and country. His brother James Conigliaro is Executive Vice President of the International Association of Machinists. Another brother, Frank, owns a top-to-bottom union printing company, that services Local unions throughout the City. His nephew, Jimmy, is Vice President of the New York City Central Labor Council representing the Machinists.
Mike is survived by his wife, Tina, three children, Michael Jr., Jacqueline, and Steve, four grandchildren, two sisters and six brothers.
Arrangements are as follows:
Viewing
Friday Nov. 4, 2016
2:00pm-7:00pm
Martin Hughes Funeral Home
530 Narrows Road South
Staten Island, NY 10304
Memorial Mass
Saturday, November 5, 2016
12:00 Noon
Our Lady Star of the Sea
5371 Amboy Rd.
Staten Island, NY 10312
Phone: 718-984-0593
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Judes Children’s Hospital in Mike Conigliaro’s name.
