2024 Labor Power Players

Gustavo Ajche is the founder of Los Deliveristas Unidos, a worker collective advocating for the rights of delivery workers. Hailing from Guatemala, Gustavo’s struggles delivering during the pandemic spurred him to build an influential movement that won historic rights in the notoriously difficult-to-regulate gig economy. Gustavo remains a crucial leader in the fight for improved conditions within the delivery industry, amplifying the voices of marginalized workers and teaching them how to advocate for themselves.

Alvarez is president of the NYC Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, the nation’s largest regional labor federation, bringing together 300 local unions and more than one million workers from all sectors of the NYC economy. A member of the IBEW since 1990, Vinny began his career with Local 3 in Flushing, NY. He is a Class C director and board chair of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and serves on numerous other advisory boards.

What are the benefits that union membership (your union if applicable) provides?
Union members earn better wages and benefits–union wages are 11.2% higher, and 96% percent of union workers have employer-provided health insurance, compared to 69% of nonunion workers. Union workers are also nearly seven times more likely to have an employer-provided guaranteed pension plan. Most importantly, unions give workers a voice in the workplace. The union advantage is even greater for people of color, women, immigrants, and others who have confronted workplace discrimination.

Andrew Ansbro, president of the FDNY-Uniformed Firefighters Association, represents 20,000 active/retired NYC Firefighters. As leader of the largest FDNY Union, he has been an outspoken advocate for the interests and needs of NYC Firefighters. Elected 2020, Andrew has served as a trustee of the UFA since 2005. Ansbro joined the Department Feb. 2001, 58 Engine, promoted to marine wiper 2014, marine engineer in 2018. Ansbro is a first responder and survivor of the World Trade Center terrorist attacks.

Stuart Appelbaum is president of the RWDSU, EVP of the 1.3 million member UFCW, VP of the AFL-CIO, and president of the Jewish Labor Committee. Globally, he is the president of UNI Global Commerce and chairs the Amazon Global Alliance. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the National Endowment for Democracy. Appelbaum is a member of the DNC, chairs the Labor Council, and is a member of the Rules Committee.

What led you down your current career path?
I always wanted to be part of the fight for economic fairness for working people.  My father was a postal clerk in Hartford, Connecticut – and I saw the difference his union made in our family’s life. My mother was a filing clerk at a company where there was no union – and I knew that people like her needed one.

What does your organization hope to accomplish in 2024?
The importance of the 2024 elections cannot be overstated – and the RWDSU will be involved across the country wherever our members work and live. Here in NY, we will be advocating for legislation that can help keep retail workers safe at a time of increased retail theft and violence.

What are the benefits that union membership (your union if applicable) provides?
Dignity, solidarity and justice

Joseph Azzopardi is the business manager/secretary treasurer for District Council No. 9 of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades. Joseph was unanimously elected on July 10th, 2015. Since 2015, Joseph has been elected twice to the seat of business manager/secretary treasurer. During his tenure, Joseph has led negotiations for numerous collective bargaining agreements with District Council 9’s employer partners, improving the wages and benefits for the membership and advancing the industry at large. 

Oren Barzilay was born in Israel in May of 1972. His parents migrated to the United States in his early childhood. He graduated from Forest Hills High School in 1990 and attended Nassau County Community College in 1991-92, majoring in criminal justice. Oren joined NYC EMS in 1995. EMS later merged with the FDNY in 1996. In 1999, he got involved with his union which ultimately led Oren to his current position of president.

What led you down your current career path?
Seeing the struggles that the men and women in EMS go through with no one wanting to fight for equality made me choose this path.

What does your organization hope to accomplish in 2024?
As the lowest-paid first responders in NYC, we are hoping to settle a new contract that would bring us up to par with our colleagues of other NYC first responders. Our men and women risk their lives every day, it is way overdue for the city to recognize EMS for the life-saving work.

Robert Bishop is a founding member of Pitta Bishop & Del Giorno. Mr. Bishop is known as a top lobbyist for New York’s labor unions. Clients of the firm include the Transport Workers Union and the Teamsters Union. Mr. Bishop earned his B.A. from Fordham University and his J.D. from the Fordham University School of Law. Mr. Bishop serves on the boards of directors of the Queens County Farm Museum, the Flushing YMCA and the Congressional Glaucoma Caucus Foundation.

Benny Boscio Jr. began his career as a New York City correction officer in 1999. Over his 24 years of service, he has worked in various commands on Rikers Island, as well as in the borough facilities. In 2020, Benny ran for president of the Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association on a platform of creating safer jails and improving the working conditions of his members. He was elected president by an overwhelming margin of victory.

What led you down your current career path?
I was interested in a career with the Department of Correction because of the extensive opportunities it provided for professional advancement, the opportunity to serve my city, and the great benefits it afforded me and my family.

What does your organization hope to accomplish in 2024?
Under my leadership, COBA will soon finalize a contract that provides our members with the highest wage increases in over 15 years in addition to other benefits. We will continue to vigorously advocate to protect our members’ employment rights and improve their working conditions.

What are the benefits that union membership (your union if applicable) provides? 
My union provides a full range of membership benefits including but not limited to, legal representation to protect our members’ employment rights, health, optical, and dental benefits, life insurance, financial assistance to the widows and children of our bereaved officers, and scholarship awards for the children of our members.

Harry Bronson has represented Assembly District 138 since 2010. As the Assembly labor chair, he will continue to advocate for policies that ensure good pay with benefits and safe workplaces. Prior to being elected he was a partner in a law firm focusing on anti-discrimination employment law, labor issues and employee benefits. His passion for social justice, equality and fairness has defined his public service and legal careers.

What led you down your current career path?
A lifelong passion for social justice, and a realization that the opportunity to obtain a good paying job with benefits is the single biggest factor in lifting families out of poverty.

What does your organization hope to accomplish in 2024?
Increased workplace safety on job sites, ensuring fair contracts on publicly funded contracts, and greater access to childcare for our hardworking New York families.

What are the benefits that union membership (your union if applicable) provides?
Unions ensure that workers have a bigger voice that speaks to advocate for and protect their safety, rights and benefits in the workplace. That has been invaluable to establishing standards for labor that have helped our economy flourish and our workers have good paying jobs with benefits for their families.

James Cahill is the regional VP for Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, where he supports New Yorkers as part of the company’s mission to improve their health. James oversees healthcare for New York’s municipalities and private labor unions. James is also responsible for overall labor, trust and JAA strategy in the East Region for the organization. A graduate of Fairfield University, he enjoys coaching youth hockey and spending time with his family.  

What led you down your current career path?
I come from a union family and have always been drawn to the culture and values of the union movement. I was lucky enough to start my career on the New York labor team at Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and have spent my entire professional career supporting the health care needs of both the New York and national labor markets.  

What does your organization hope to accomplish in 2024?
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield wants to continue to deliver on our mission to improve the health of all New Yorkers, while working strategically with our labor clients to find new and innovative ways to offer a premier health plan that serves union member’s needs. 

What are the benefits that union membership (your union if applicable) provides?
The benefits of being a union member are vast, but most notably NY labor leadership is consistently fighting for the rights of all of its workers, providing fair and equitable wages inclusive of a full suite of the highest caliber of benefits and supporting the union members and their families from apprenticeship through retirement. The camaraderie and solidarity and really the pride that comes with being a union member also offers extreme value.