The 2021 Pennsylvania Labor Power 100: 11 - 50

11. William Hamilton

President and International Vice President, Pennsylvania Conference of Teamsters

There are few names as recognizable in the labor movement as the Teamsters, and Bill Hamilton holds significant clout in organized labor as international vice president of the Teamsters’ eastern region, as well as president of Local 107. He also co-chairs the Teamsters Health & Welfare and Pension Funds of Philadelphia and Vicinity, and serves as president of the Pennsylvania Conference of Teamsters, where he represents more than 95,000 members. 

12. Esteban Vera, Jr.

Business Manager, LiUNA Local 57

When Esteben Vera, Jr. was named business manager for Laborers’ Local 57 in 2016, he made history, becoming the first Latino labor leader of a major union in the Philadelphia region. Vera represents approximately 3,000 workers, and made even more headlines this year when he became the first Latino board member for SEPTA after being appointed by state House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton, an addition that McClinton said would add an “important perspective” to SEPTA leadership.

13. David Fillman

Vice President, AFSCME

David Fillman retired as AFSCME Council 13’s executive director earlier this year, but that doesn’t take away the impact and influence he has had within the Pennsylvania labor movement since joining AFSCME in 1971. Fillman served as executive director for nearly two decades, and the council credits him with increasing its organizing abilities and expanding member education. He continues to serve as a vice president of AFSCME International, even in retirement. 

14. Gary Masino 

President, Sheet Metal Workers Local 19

Gary J. Masino represents over 4,000 Sheet Metal Workers as the President and Business Manager of the Sheet Metal Workers Local Union No. 19 and serves as a General Vice President of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers, which represents over 225,000 members in 185 local unions across the United States and Canada.

As a third-generation Sheet Metal Worker with 39 years’ experience in the industry, Gary has served as an organizer and business representative for the union before being elected President and Business Manager in 2011. His contributions and tireless commitment to the labor movement have earned him the respect and recognition of his peers, who have elevated him to multiple leadership positions since his election. Gary is the current President of the Pennsylvania State Council of Sheet Metal Workers, and Vice President of the NJ Council of Sheet Metal Workers and Executive Board Member of the PA State Building Trades.

Gary’s leadership and industry expertise led former Mayor Michael Nutter to appoint him to Philadelphia's Department of Licensing and Inspection Board of Appeals in 2012. He later was appointed to the Philadelphia Zoning Board in 2014. In June 2018, Governor Wolf appointed Mr. Masino to the Pennsylvania Economic Development Financing Authority Board, and in March 2020, he was appointed to the Pennsylvania Convention Center Board of Directors. Later that year, the Governor appointed Mr. Masino to serve on the PLRB Board.

15. Frank Sirianni

President, Pennsylvania State Building and Construction Trades Council

Made up of 16 regional councils and 95 local unions, Frank Sirianni leads a labor council that is a major force in Pennsylvania’s halls of power. In recent years, Sirianni and his members have supported efforts to create construction jobs through state-issued tax credits, attempted to fend off Gov. Tom Wolf’s carbon pricing program and backed legislation that would have kept Pennsylvania’s nuclear plants open – all in the name of jobs in the construction and building trades. 

16. Jim Vaughan

Executive Director, Pennsylvania State Education Association

Starting at PSEA back in 2004, Jim Vaughan was involved in government relations, lobbying, and advocacy for 11 years before becoming the executive director in 2015. Throughout his tenure, Vaughan has worked to elect pro-public education candidates and heralded legislation that he felt boosted funds for public education. He’s worked with the Wolf administration to reduce health risks in schools during the pandemic and remains focused on ensuring safe, in-person classes this upcoming year. 

17. Gabe Morgan

Vice President and Pennsylvania/Delaware State Director, SEIU 32BJ

Gabe Morgan has his hands all over SEIU’s work in Pennsylvania. Not only is he vice president for SEIU 32BJ, but he also serves as the local’s state director for Pennsylvania and Delaware, representing more than 21,000 workers across the eastern U.S. Morgan, who has a long history with SEIU and its work in the Keystone State, also serves as the president of the SEIU Pennsylvania State Council, the statewide political arm of the SEIU and its members. 

18. John Dougherty

Business Manager, IBEW Local 98

Chief of Philadelphia’s electricians union, John Dougherty has political influence that remains despite ongoing federal investigations. Known as “Johnny Doc,” he has played a critical role in the election of Democrats, including Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney. Dougherty also leveraged his political power in 2015 to help his brother, Kevin, get elected to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, a move that flipped the scales of the court, and in turn, the state’s congressional map. 

19. Les Neri

National 2nd Vice President, Fraternal Order of Police

It’s hard to find someone that looks out for law enforcement more than Les Neri. In addition to his duties as a leader of the Fraternal Order of Police, Neri also serves as president of the Pennsylvania State Lodge. He has assisted local lodges in collective bargaining, pension, and grievance issues and pushed for legislation that created 100% college tuition assistance for children of fallen officers. 

20. Lynne Fox

International President, Workers United Philadelphia Joint Board

The International President of Workers United, Lynne Fox has been in the position for more than 15 years. She also serves as the manager of the Philadelphia Joint Board, the same position her father held from 1982 to 1999. Fox oversees 80,000 members in the U.S. and Canada in industries ranging from textile and apparel manufacturing to hospitality and retail. 

21. Steve Catanese

President, SEIU Local 668

Elected president of SEIU Local 668 in 2017, Steve Catanese represents approximately 20,000 workers in the social services sector throughout the state, including workers on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. He spearheaded a member-to-member organizing campaign early on in his tenure, increasing Local 668’s membership despite the U.S. Supreme Court’s Janus v. AFSCME ruling in 2018. He previously worked as a business agent for the union, and a rank-and-file member when he worked at a County Assistance Office in Pittsburgh.

22. John Eckenrode

President, Pennsylvania State Correctional Officers Association

John Eckenrode began as a correctional officer in 1999, working his way up through the ranks at state prisons in Cresson and Benner townships. He has been dedicated to serving his fellow correctional officers since, holding executive board positions at SCI-Cresson, SCI-Benner and PSCOA Western Region. He took over as statewide president this year and continues to advocate on behalf of PSCOA’s more than 10,000 members. 

23. Aaron Chapin

Vice President, Pennsylvania State Education Association 

Going into his third year as vice president of PSEA, Aaron Chapin has served on Gov. Tom Wolf’s 2020 Census Committee and as PSEA’s state officer liaison to the Coalition for Labor Engagement and Accountable Revenues. He has taught fourth and fifth grade for 25 years, having previously served as president, chief negotiator and more for the Stroudsburg Area Education Association. He said he vows to combat teacher shortages going forward. 

24. Frank Snyder

Secretary-Treasurer, Pennsylvania AFL-CIO

Frank Snyder began his career as a third-generation steelworker, but he quickly rose through the ranks of union leadership. He served as president of the USWA Local 8148 for more than 12 years and spent time as an organizer for Steelworkers District 10 before jumping to the national AFL-CIO, where worked on organizing initiatives. He later was tapped as the AFL-CIO’s Pennsylvania state director, before unanimously being elected the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO’s secretary-treasurer in 2010.

25. Nina Esposito-Visgitis

Executive Vice President, AFT Pennsylvania

Nina Esposito-Visgitis serves as president of the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers, which represents more than 3,100 teachers, paraprofessionals and other educational staff in Pennsylvania's second-largest city. Under Esposito-Visgitis’s leadership, the union advocates for increased support and protections for teachers. She also serves as the executive vice president for the American Federation of Teachers’ Pennsylvania union, which is made up of 57 local AFT affiliates. 

26. Patrick Eiding

President, Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO

Few Pennsylvanians represent as many workers as Patrick Eiding. In his sixth term as president, he supports more than 150,000 working families and 100 unions in the Philadelphia region. He began in organized labor as business manager and financial secretary of the Insulators and Asbestos Workers Local 14, rising through the ranks within the AFL-CIO. He also represents workers as a member of several boards, including as commissioner of the Philadelphia City Planning Commission. 

27. Darrin Kelly

President, Allegheny-Fayette Central Labor Council

Darrin Kelly was elected president of the Allegheny-Fayette Central Labor Council in 2018, succeeding Jack Shea as the council’s chief elected officer. As the council’s president, Kelly represents the needs of the council’s affiliated unions and members. With decades of experience as a firefighter for the City of Pittsburgh, Kelly is also an active member of the International Association of Firefighters Local 1.

28. Jerry Jordan

President, Philadelphia Federation of Teachers

Coming from a family of public school teachers, Jerry Jordan knows the importance of education. The Philadelphia native earned degrees in Education and Spanish from Temple University and went on to teach English as a Second Language in the Philadelphia School District. He joined PFT in 1987 and worked his way up the ladder to become president in 2008. Jordan recently expressed support for a vaccine mandate for teachers, but the school district has yet to act. 

29. Ernest Garrett

President, AFSCME District Council 33

Ernest Garrett made headlines last year when District Council 33 officially unseated its incumbent president. Virtually overnight, he became the union’s first new leader in more than two decades. Now representing about 10,000 members and 15 unions, Garrett is supporting city workers ranging from the water department to sanitation. His surprise election was a blow to establishment labor leaders in Philadelphia, and he’ll use his worker-centric message in upcoming contract negotiations.

30. Jamie Martin

President, Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties

Dr. Jamie Martin, a professor and chair of the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, was elected president of APSCUF back in April 2020. She previously served three terms as vice president and was involved in faculty and coaches’ negotiating teams during the last two contract negotiations. Looking forward, Martin said she will continue fighting for higher education funding and to shine a light on student debt. 

31. Fred Redmond

Secretary-Treasurer, AFL-CIO

With his recent election as the AFL-CIO’s secretary-treasurer, Fred Redmond became the first African American to hold the AFL-CIO’s number two office. He also brings a Pittsburgh perspective to the national ranks of the AFL-CIO, having spent decades working for United Steelworkers International. An active member of USW since joining in 1973, Redmond served as shop steward, grievance committee member and chairman, and most recently, vice president. 

32. Michele Kessler

Secretary/Treasurer, United Food & Commercial Workers Local 1776

Michele Kessler has organized and represented workers with United Food & Commercial Workers for more than 30 years. She currently serves more than 35,000 members in food packing and processing, grocery, retail and cannabis, and is a strong advocate for LGBTQ rights. Kessler was elected as the international chair for UFCW’s constituency group for LGBTQ members and their allies in 2013, and continues her work in the area as a commissioner on Gov. Tom Wolf’s Commission on LGBTQ Affairs. 

33. Silas Russell

Vice President, SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania

As the vice president of the 45,000-plus member organization, Silas Russell has driven the political strategy for the coalition of health care workers. He has pushed to hold the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center accountable and to protect consumer access. Recently, he was instrumental in state Rep. Ed Gainey’s primary win in the Pittsburgh Democratic mayoral primary. Russell continues to work with lawmakers in Harrisburg, advocating for worker reforms and better access to bedside care. 

34. Jeff Ney

Treasurer, Pennsylvania State Education Association

A longtime teacher and Pennsylvania State Education Association leader, Jeff Ney brings local, regional and state expertise to the education association. He began at the Wilkes-Barre Area Education Association, where he held the position of president from 2007 to 2017. From there, he took over as treasurer of PSEA, serving as chair of the budget, audit and property committees. In his hometown area, Ney continues to teach elementary school and coach local swim teams. 

35. JoAnne Sessa

Secretary-Treasurer, SEIU Local 668

SEIU Local 668’s 20,000 workers in human services bore the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic early on. JoAnne Sessa has been representing them as secretary-treasurer since 2015, and has fought for union members to be respected for a lot longer. In addition to her work with SEIU, Sessa has also spent time serving on the Southeastern Pennsylvania AFL-CIO and Harrisburg Regional and Delaware County central labor councils. 

36. Reesa Kossoff

Executive Director, SEIU Pennsylvania State Council

The SEIU Pennsylvania State Council consists of four local SEIUs and nearly 60,000 members, and at the helm is Reesa Kossoff. As the executive director, she is one of the state’s leading advocates fighting for the rights of workers to form a union and negotiate better pay and benefits. Kossoff also serves as a board member of the Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania, a statewide environmentally-focused PAC. 

37. Chris Woods

President, National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees, District 1199C

Chris Woods has been a consistent voice for health care workers in the City of Philadelphia. As president of AFSCME District 1199C, he represents more than 13,000 workers in all fields in major health care institutions in the region. He continually fights for better wages, benefits, and working conditions for union members, and has been a vocal supporter of providing adequate resources to nursing homes and long-term care facilities during the pandemic. 

38. Thomas Melisko, Jr.

Business Manager, International Union of Operating Engineers Local 66

Thomas Melisko Jr. followed in his father’s footsteps in joining IUOE Local 66, and has continued the family tradition of advocating for workers. As business manager, he represents more than 7,700 operating engineers in 33 counties in western Pennsylvania and three counties in Ohio. Local 66 remains a politically-active organization, with Melisko and his members working with lawmakers to protect wages, benefits and working conditions for engineers. 

39. J.T. Pennington

President, Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters Association

J.T. Pennington currently serves as the president of the Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters Association, which represents 76 municipal fire departments, as well as more than 8,000 professional firefighters and medics across the Keystone State. Before being elected president, Pennington also served as the union’s secretary/treasurer, western vice president and state trustee. Pennington is an Army veteran and retired captain of the Aliquippa Bureau of Fire, and also serves on the governor’s Fire Service Advisory Board.

40. Diane Mastrull

President, Newspaper Guild of Greater Philadelphia

Diane Mastrull has been an officer for the NewsGuild of Greater Philadelphia for nearly 20 years, and has been a Philadelphia Inquirer reporter for even longer. She started at the Inquirer in 1997 and has since covered everything from suburban development to the green economy. Today, Mastrull is a breaking news editor and continues to support Back On My Feet, a nonprofit that uses running and community support to help people struggling with addiction. 

41. David Kennedy

President, Pennsylvania State Troopers Association

David Kennedy represents more than 4,300 active and retired state troopers as president of the Pennsylvania State Troopers Association. He has been critical of Gov. Tom Wolf throughout the pandemic for not prioritizing law enforcement during the state’s mask and COVID-19 vaccine rollout, as well as for his comments on race and police brutality. Kennedy continually assures members he is committed to fighting for fair wages, good benefits and the overall safety of state troopers. 

42. Jane Gill

President, AFSCME Council 13

With more than 20 years of experience in AFSCME, Jane Gill leads AFSCME Council 13 in Harrisburg. She began with the public service employee union in 2001 when she was a payroll clerk for the City of Altoona. Today, she is in her 12th year as the floodplain administrator and office engineer for Altoona, and is representing more than 65,000 state employees as president of the executive board.

43. Rosslyn Wuchinich

President, Unite Here Local 274

Rosslyn Wuchinich leads the largest Unite Here chapter in the state, representing more than 4,000 private sector hotel and food services workers in the Philadelphia region. Many Local 274 members are food service workers at Philadelphia International Airport and at the sports stadiums. Over the past year, Wuchinich played a significant role advocating for those out of work and on the front lines, pushing for advance wages and better health benefits.

44. Sue Scattaregia

President, Unite Here Local 57

A member of Unite Here Local 57 since 1985, Sue Scattaregia has been involved in the hospitality union since before many of its current members were born. As president, she represents about 2,600 workers in hotel and food service in the Pittsburgh area and into West Virginia. She’s used her expertise to stand up for workers who said area hotels misused federal pandemic relief dollars meant to keep employees on the payroll. 

45. Nicole Hunt

President, Unite Here Local 634

Nicole Hunt oversees a Philadelphia chapter of Unite Here, representing more than 2,200 public sector food service workers and student climate staff for the Philadelphia School District. She played a key role in organizing the labor board to keep Local 634 within Unite Here, and served as chief negotiator for the bargaining team during its most recent round of negotiations for health care coverage with the school district. 

46. Philip Ameris

Business Manager, Western Pennsylvania Laborers’ District Council

As head of the Western Pennsylvania Laborers’ District Council, Philip Ameris represents the interests of multiple laborers unions throughout western Pennsylvania. He has been an outspoken advocate for the creation of blue-collar jobs in the Pittsburgh region, and has touted the Shell cracker plant as a prime example of how policymakers can bring blue-collar jobs to the area. He has also drawn a hard line on endorsing candidates who promote the creation of union jobs in their votes and with their proposed policies.

47. Patrick Clancy

President and CEO, Philadelphia Works

As the city’s workforce development board, Philadelphia Works, Inc. creates and manages employment services and workforce development programs. Leading the group is H. Patrick Clancy, who brings more than 20 years of experience to the table. Clancy previously served as a special advisor on the Employment and Training Programs for the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. Most notably, he helped the launch of the online PHL Career Portal and the city’s economic recovery plans. 

48. Robert Cherry

CEO, Partner4Work

The newest CEO of Partner4Work is Robert Cherry, who assumed the role in July. He brings years of workforce development and public policy experience to the public workforce system for Pittsburgh and Allegheny counties. Cherry comes from the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, where he oversaw 2,500 employees and developed partnerships to help the veteran workforce. He’ll look to continue his work helping dislocated workers and young people navigate the labor market. 

49. Jennifer Berrier

Secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry

Nominated by Gov. Tom Wolf in 2019 to fill the top vacancy at the state Department of Labor & Industry, Jennifer Berrier ascended to secretary of the department after 15 years at L&I. Berrier was most recently the department’s deputy secretary for safety and labor-management relations, where she managed four separate bureaus that touched on everything from vulnerable workers to labor mediations. She was confirmed by the state Senate in June. 

50. Camera Bartolotta

Chair, Pennsylvania Senate Labor & Industry Committee

As chair of the Senate Labor & Industry Committee, state Sen. Camera Bartolotta is a key gatekeeper of legislation pertaining to wages, workplace conditions and all things labor. In 2019, Bartolotta helped shepherd a negotiated bill through the Senate that would have raised the state’s minimum wage, and has advocated for bolstered workplace protections for LGBTQ Pennsylvanians. Bartolotta also used her committee to conduct oversight of the state’s unemployment system throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

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