Left to Right: NDD Chair Thomas Acosta, Board Member Thomas Mackell Jr., Denis Hughes and Dennis Rivera.

Labor Achievement Award

In recognition of the importance of Labor's contribution to the community New Democratic Dimensions initiated the Labor Achievement Award.  This award is presented to outstanding labor leaders who have distinguished themselves by their extraordinary contributions to New York, America, and the democratic process.  Among our past honorees are Brian McLaughlin, President of the NYC Central Labor Council, and Dennis Rivera, President of SEIU NYS Council.

This year we were proud to have Denis M Hughs, President of the New York State AFL-CIO and Randi Weingarten, President of the United Federation of Teachers as recipients of the NDD Labor Award.  Former NDD Honorees Brian McLaughlin and Dennis Rivera made the presentation at the Sky Club on April 11th.

Denis M. Hughes, President of the New York State AFL-CIO, began his association with organized labor at the age of 16 as a member of the Retail Clerk's Union.  In 1968, Mr. Hughes joined Local Union No. 3 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers while working as a general utility worker for Con Edison in Staten Island, New York.   In 1975, he completed his apprenticeship and became an "A" journeyman electrician.  While working full time as an apprentice and journeyman electrician, he devoted his time and energies to lead many union organizing efforts and political campaigns in local, state and national elections.   In August, 1985 Mr. Hughes joined the New York State AFL-CIO staff as Political Director and Assistant to the President.  In February, 1990 Mr. Hughes assumed the position of Executive Assistant to the President.  On March 23, 1999, Mr. Hughes was elected President of the 2.5 million member New York State AFL-CIO. (Complete Bio: Denis M. Hughes) 

Randi Weingarten is president of the United Federation of Teachers, representing more than 140,000 active and retired nonsupervisory educators in the New York City public school system. She is also a vice-president of the million-member American Federation of Teachers, the UFT’s national affiliate; a member of the board of directors of the New York State United Teachers; and a vice-president of the New York City Central Labor Council of the AFL-CIO.  

In earlier years, Weingarten served as legislative assistant for the New York State Senate Labor Committee and as a mediator for disputes originating in the City of New York Criminal Court. From 1990 to 1995 she was a member of the board and then chairperson of the Health Insurance Plan (HIP) of Greater New York. She currently serves on the boards of directors of the Justice Resource Center, a law-related education project for high school students; the New York Committee on Occupational Safety and Health (NYCOSH); the Anti-Defamation League, New York Region; the United Way of Greater New York; and the International Rescue Committee. (Complete Bio: Randi Weingarten)

NDD will continue bring labor's finest to the attention of our community.  Their achievements are the basis of all the important services in New York.

Randi Weingarten, President of the United Federation of Teachers.

City Councilwoman Gail Brewer and NDD VP Maxine Montano

Denis Hughes, President of the NY State AFL-CIO.

Denis Hughes and friends.