Labor Power Players

Michael Mulgrew is the fifth president of the United Federation of Teachers, which represents nearly 200,000 New York City public schools educators and school-related professionals, as well as child care providers, nurses, adult education instructors, retired members and other titles and organizations. He has been president since July 2009. Under Mulgrew’s leadership, the union won two landmark contracts. Mulgrew was a leading proponent of United Community Schools. During the pandemic, Mulgrew led the union’s work to keep students and staff safe and safely keep schools open.

As president of Teamsters Local 831, the Uniformed Sanitationmen’s Association, Harry Nespoli represents workers at the New York City Department of Sanitation, including those who collect trash, recycling, and organic waste. Members of Local 831 are also responsible for plowing New York City’s streets in the winter. Mr. Nespoli has continued to successfully grow Local 831’s numbers by securing strong contracts with the city and cultivating a sense of community among its members.

Thomas O’Donnell has served as president of Theatrical Teamsters since 2013. The members of Local 817 have worked in New York’s film and television industry for nearly 100 years, and are located across New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Pennsylvania. Prior to his election, Mr. O’Donnell was secretary-treasurer of the union for 23 years. He currently serves on the board of directors for the Museum of the Moving Image as well as for the Council of Motion Picture and Television Unions.

Michael O’Meara is president of the MTA Police Benevolent Association, which seeks to unite and advance the welfare of its members. Mr. O’Meara has been involved in the MTA PBA since its founding in 1998, when he was named to the Executive Board as area vice president east. Mr. O’Meara became executive vice president of the union in 1998 and was elected president in 2013. He also serves as the executive director of the Police Conference of New York.

As president of the New York State City/County Management Association, James Palmer represents a professional network of chief executive officers and administrators, as well as municipal officials and educators. The goal of the NYSCMA is to share information and ideas on management techniques and the delivery of services in order to best serve local communities. NYSCMA provides resources such as access to the Association List Serv, administered through SUNY Brockport, and an annual conference during which members can participate in lectures, panels, and workshops.

Dalvanie K. Powell is the first African American woman president to lead the 800-member UPOA. She previously held nearly every role in the union, from delegate to vice president. As president, she is working to change the direction of the union and recognize members for their commitment to improving the lives of the youth and adults under their supervision, and empowering New York City.

What sector does your union service (healthcare, construction, etc.)?
Probation.

What are the benefits that unions (your particular union, if applicable) offer their members?
The UPOA protects the rights of its members, strives to achieve better and safer working conditions, bargains to secure adequate remuneration, endeavors to equitably resolve grievances, and fosters fellowship among our members.

What brought you to organizing and/or the issue of worker advocacy?
Throughout my career, I have always sought equitable treatment for not only our members but for all New Yorkers. Together, UPOA members are committed to providing New York City with the highest level of service.

How will New York’s labor force evolve in the next five years?
As we emerge from the pandemic, our labor force will encounter greater responsibilities to meet the needs of New Yorkers. In Probation, we expect to see increased need for our support as efforts to end mass incarceration continue.

What kind of impact does organized labor have on local communities?
Our city’s labor force will be on the frontlines of serving New Yorkers in all neighborhoods, ensuring they have equitable access to services, programs, and opportunities.

A veteran law enforcement official and public servant for 30 years, Mr. Powers is currently serving his third term as president of the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association, a union representing over 20,000 members. He currently holds the title of sergeant for New York State’s Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. In addition to serving as president of NYSCOPBA, Mr. Powers currently serves as councilman for the City of Ogdensburg and serves as a member of the Advisory Council for the New York State and Local Retirement System.

What sector does your union service (healthcare, construction, etc.)?
Corrections and law enforcement.

What are the benefits that unions (your particular union, if applicable) offer their members?
Improved quality of work life, higher wages, workplace safety and ensuring that the state adequately addresses those important issues. In addition, our organization also represents members to ensure the collective bargaining agreement is adhered to.

What brought you to organizing and/or the issue of worker advocacy?
There is a strong need, particularly in the prison system and forensic psychiatric centers, to ensure the safety of those who work in this sector of public service. Our members face dangers in their workplace like none other.

How will New York’s labor force evolve in the next five years?
There are several challenges we will face in every aspect of the labor force. Preserving and balancing the rights, safety, and dignity of staff will continue to be a priority of our leadership.

What kind of impact does organized labor have on local communities?
Statistics and studies prove that organized labor provides higher wages, better working conditions, and more balanced work/home life. Organized labor engrains itself in the fabric of its communities by investing in causes its members care about.

Mike Prohaska is the leader of Construction and General Building Laborers’ Local 79, the largest construction laborers’ local union in the United States. Born and raised in the Bronx, Mike started as a rank-and-file laborer and has been a member of Laborers International Union of North America for over 40 years. In addition to serving as business manager of Local 79, Mike is a trustee of the Mason Tenders Trust Funds and New York State Laborers Tri-Funds. He also is on the Board of Directors for Nontraditional Employment for Women.

What sector does your union service (healthcare, construction, etc.)?
The construction industry in the five boroughs of New York City. Local 79’s scope of work includes: mason tending; interior and total demolition; plasterer tending; fireproofing; scaffolding; restoration work.

What are the benefits that unions (your particular union, if applicable) offer their members?
Our collective bargaining agreements enable workers to earn middle class wages, great healthcare, retirement security and the opportunity for advancement and better lives. Our union’s legal services plan includes representation in the areas of family law, real estate, tenant housing, wills, and immigration. We have a Membership Assistance Program and Recovery Support Group that provides support and open discussion without judgment about drugs, alcohol, and the workplace. We are also part of LiUNA’s Eastern Region Initiative for Strategic Education, which provides our members a series of classes to develop the tools and the talent to be effective union advocates and union organizers.

What brought you to organizing and/or the issue of worker advocacy?
I started in organizing as a leader in our historic 1995 asbestos and hazardous waste campaign and equally successful 1996 demolition workers’ campaign. Afterwards, I was appointed director of organizing for the newly chartered Construction and General Building Laborers’ Local 79.

How will New York’s labor force evolve in the next five years?
Our union is fighting to empower marginalized construction workers to stand up against exploitation and fight for their rights. Last year, the Body Shop bill was passed in the New York City Council in response to the emergence of non-union construction labor brokers who offer poverty wages and prey on reentry workers, using mass incarceration to their advantage and as a means to prey on a vulnerable workforce. Our union is fighting to ensure real reentry career opportunities for formerly incarcerated workers, which will ultimately reduce wealth disparity, recidivism rates, and healthcare disparities for construction workers of color. We also are now part of a coalition which is campaigning for the passage of the Excluded No More legislation. Funding excluded workers will level the playing field for responsible contractors who support their workers, regardless of immigration status, and enables undocumented workers to file for unemployment benefits, organize more freely on the job, and contribute more to our state’s economy and recovery after COVID.

What kind of impact does organized labor have on local communities?
Union careers are life-changing opportunities that break cycles of poverty and economic inequality. Our members live across New York City’s five boroughs and they want to build projects that will strengthen their communities and public safety. Organized labor builds and works in the institutions that make our city great. We will continue to advocate for projects that bring together union jobs, affordable housing, local hiring, and economic growth throughout the city.