Gary LaBarbera is an American labor leader.[1] He served as president of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York (BCTC) since 2009 and was elected president of the New York State Building and Construction Trades Council in 2021.[2][1] He is also the founder and chairman of NYC Helmets to Hardhats, a non-profit that places veterans into careers in the construction industry.[3][4] In 2017, LaBarbera was appointed to the board of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey by Governor Andrew Cuomo.[5]

LaBarbera has also served as president of the New York City Central Labor Council, International Brotherhood of Teamsters Joint Council 16, and International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 282.[6]

Early life

LaBarbera began his career as a forklift operator with Teamsters Local 282 on Long Island.[6] He graduated from the Labor Studies Program at Cornell University’s School of Industrial Labor Relations in 1994.[6]

Career

In 2009, LaBarbera was elected president of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York (BCTC), a labor organization composed of local affiliates of 15 national and international unions.[2][7] BCTC represents approximately 100,000 construction workers in New York City.[8][9]

In 2021, LaBarbera was also elected president of the New York State Building and Construction Trades Council, which represents over 200,000 construction workers across New York.

In his capacity as president, LaBarbera negotiates project labor agreements (PLAs) with city agencies and private construction firms, notably Hudson Yards labor disputes.[10][11] He has negotiated PLAs on $25 billion worth of private-sector construction work and $15 billion worth of public work.[6]

Under his leadership, the Building Trades have become increasingly diverse. Of the 8,000 Building Trades apprentices enrolled in 2012, 75% were residents of the five boroughs and 65% were minorities.[4]

References

  1. 1 2 Kusisto, Laura (2015-06-13). "Growth of Nonunion Construction Tests New York City Labor Leader". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2018-05-09.
  2. 1 2 Massey, Daniel. "Powerful labor leader settles charges against him". Crain's New York Business. Retrieved 2018-05-09.
  3. ↑ "Ulrich Honored by Helmets to Hardhats Group | The Forum Newsgroup". theforumnewsgroup.com. Retrieved 2018-06-13.
  4. 1 2 ""President Gary LaBarbera Bio"". 2018-06-13. Retrieved 2018-06-13.
  5. ↑ "Cuomo to nominate LaBarbera to Port Authority board". Politico PRO. 2017-05-30. Retrieved 2018-06-13.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "The labors of LaBarbera". The Real Deal New York. 2016-06-14. Retrieved 2018-05-09.
  7. ↑ Bredderman/span>, Gerald Schifman and Will. "Unions dominate list of city's top political donors". Crain's New York Business. Retrieved 2018-05-09.
  8. ↑ "New Construction Safety Bill Draft Slammed by Open-Shop Reps". Commercial Observer. 2017-07-26. Retrieved 2018-05-09.
  9. ↑ "City Must Tackle Barriers to Career-Track Jobs in Construction, Advocates Say". City Limits. Retrieved 2018-05-09.
  10. ↑ "With Pickets and Lawsuits, Unions and Developers Go to War". The New York Times. 2018-04-13. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2018-05-09.
  11. ↑ "Mayor Bloomberg Announces Labor Agreements On Public Projects to Reduce Costs, Spur Projects and Create Jobs". The official website of the City of New York. November 24, 2009. Retrieved 2018-05-09.
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